Hey, I'm just starting out to write Poetry, and I love it!

Any advice to a poet starting out?

Usually I write prose, but I alternate between writing novels and writing poetry.

At the moment I've got a lot of poetry that's built up ever since the 1990s, and I guess the Zeitgeist of that time had an effect on me even though I was only born in 1990...

But really, I just love to write, and whether it's a Fantasy book or Poetry, it comes naturally to me.

Trouble is, I don't know how to get started out in the Poetry world, was I born too late to experience a vibrant poetry scene or am I supposed to bring Poetry back?

So many questions, but I'll start with asking those...

hi teenauthor check out - http://www.everypoet.org/pffa - one of the best resources on the web for starting out and writing poetry!

the best way to start poetry is to jump right in. Read everything you can get your hands on. Take classes and get involved in quality workshops whenever possible. Be a bit wary about online poetry until you find your footing. There's plenty of scams and frilly workshops out there that won't make you better, just pat you on the back with an empty "well done."

Picked up Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Travelled today, it's interesting, and would be helpful if I could digest all the terminology, but I guess it gets easier as you go along, right?

Go to whatever readings you can--even if you don't know of any, looking at a local college English department's board might point you to some, and the newspaper is another good place to look in weekend sections. Whether it's an open mic or a full-time writer, it's amazing how different that experience can be and can also help your own confidence. After that, read all you can, and listen to music as much as you can too. I've found that whenever I discover bands that have creative lyrics, they inspire me on some level. Good luck!

I'm glad that you are jumping into the poetry world. I go to Writing.com and post my poetry up there for others to read. They have their own little contest and all. Nothing worth money but still it's fun. I've been told that I'm pretty good at poetry even though I'm just starting out with writing. I be willing to help at any time!

Hugs!-Kat

Be careful to avoid the International Library of Poetry. Find support from somewhere that doesn't *just want your money*.

Welcome young author & poet! Good luck!

Yea my advice to you is to write about what
you know or what you like. I had the same problem
at first when I decided to start writing poems then
it dawned on me just write what I know. That
is the same advice any Author will tell you if
someone wants to become an Author. And
also be sure you use your imagination. Sometimes
when I'm sitting down a poem will just jump
right into my head and I start writing it down
instantly. Look around you for inspiration in
your every day surroundings.

Librarianwannabe

Beatles1964 is right when I started to write I didnt know either intill I started to write about what I know. Now I am writing about one topic because of the book I am reading. Just so many ideas pop into my head when I am reading. Half the stuff I write about hasnt even happend to me yet.

sorry 1 more thing if you want to read some of my work go to the group poem writers and you can start our own post on there sharing your poems I would love to hear some of them.

I'll echo whitewavedarling. Read poetry. Read free verse, metered verse. Long epics and short sonnets. Get a feel for what poems appeal to you and which ones don't. I would start with a general anthology such as The Voice is Great Within Us. If you come across a poet you really like, look online or borrow other anthologies from libraries (or buy them).

When you get a sense of what poems you like, try to figure out why you like them. Particularly eloquent turns of language? Excellent use of cadence? A perceptive take on the world? Then try to emulate what about the poem you particularly love, but put your spin on it.