What is man? This is a creature who can do everything, and the only one who does not believe in it is himself. Yes, sometimes geniuses are really born who have the ability to do something, but titanic work is behind any genius. They say that poets are born, not become. It is not true. To become a poet, you just need to work hard on yourself, and then the dream will turn into reality.
First off!
So how to become a poet? This, of course, is hard to believe, but for becoming a poet it is enough just to learn one simple principle. In creativity, as in any other activity, its own laws apply. Today, many moves and techniques have been studied, laid out on shelves and recorded in the relevant literature. What can I talk about, even if the rules of versification are studied in the school curriculum.
In fact, from a young age, a person is given special knowledge to become a poet. How he will use them is another question.
But back to the current issue. What is a simple verse? Four feet in two syllables. 4x2 - that's all arithmetic. It is worth recalling that it is undesirable to use rhymes on the same parts of speech, in the same form. This primarily concerns verbs. Here, for example:
Happy Birthday, we wish you happiness, joy.
So-so rhyme, she definitely won’t pull on art.
A wish
Everyone can become a poet, as already mentioned. It would be a desire. Mastering the technique of versification is not difficult. Even when a person just walks, he can exercise, composing poems about anything.
At first, you should not especially think about the meaning. The main thing is that the size and rhymes are respected. Gradually, the process will go faster and faster, and after that it will become a habit at all.
The first is not always the best
Beginner poets very often make the same mistake. Trying to fit into the form of a verse something that seems important and irreplaceable to them, they come up with rhymes for this word, which, as they say, are neither to the village nor to the city.
The second mistake is that the author stops looking for an alternative. As soon as the line has somehow formed, he proceeds to compose the next one, without even thinking that it would be possible to find more suitable and colorful words.
So how to become a poet? Master the form and rhyme. The proposed exercise just contributes to this. After constant training, unexpected poetic twists and twists of words will become natural.
A good poet and just a poet
Another small nuance. It is important to understand the difference between a poet and a good poet. After severe emotional upheaval, most people try to express their feelings in prose or poetry. Yes, indeed, in some cases, real masterpieces come out of the pen of a beginner. But this phenomenon is temporary until emotions burn out.
A poet is a person who tries to squeeze his thoughts into rhyming lines, and a good poet is an author who is told to rhyme by the development of thought. Here's how to become a good poet. But that's not all.
In addition to rhyme and form, there is also content. It would seem that poetry should be easily predictable, because the lines are known in advance, as they rhyme with the previous ones. But poetry is the most unexpected kind of speech. Here, for example, there is a line: "I have been living in the world for a long time." Ordinary poets can usually supplement it with such commonplace things as:
- "I'm over sixty."
- "I saw a lot in the eyelid."
- “I know too much,” etc.
It is important to remember that the first rhyme that comes to mind is not always the best. In fact, the second line is: "I am already seventeen years old." On the one hand, it contradicts the first, but on the other, the term is indeed considerable. And unexpectedly, and not to object - everything is logical.
General recommendations
For those who have not yet given up the idea of becoming a great poet, there are several general useful recommendations:
- You need to decide what poem you would like to write.
- When the theme and idea are selected, you need to find a source of inspiration. Usually it can be nature, strong emotions, beautiful images. Even the crisis period in life can become a source of inspiration, if you take it as a useful experience, and not the end of the world.
- Word and topic. The selected topic must be described in one word and write out all the related words and phrases that come to mind.
- Not just emotions. Do not write exclusively about emotions. The reader will be tired of reading this. It is necessary to talk about what you have done, seen or remembered. For a stronger effect - make a comparison with nature, the world, politics, in the end.
- Strong images. Here, for example, while walking in nature, you saw a chick fall out of the nest and unsuccessfully try to fly up. You can describe this situation and add that it resembles your own life.
- Thesaurus. The more words you know, the easier it will be for you. Few words must be used in poetry, but they must be appropriate and accurate.
- Editing. To become a good poet, one draft is indispensable. Reread everything written, delete repetitions, move parts and see which option will be better.
Useful Tips
If you can’t come up with a name, you can leave it as it is. There are many good, untitled verses. It is worth remembering that poetry is an emotional and psychological work, therefore it is extremely important to extract experience from everything that happens.
For starters, you can try to imitate the style of your favorite poet. Over time, you will have your own. And you can’t hide your works, otherwise you won’t become a famous poet.
On the road to fame
So, what you need to do to learn how to write poetry is already clear, but how to become a famous poet is still an open question. Creativity is good, but you need to eat too. It’s good that in the modern world, it’s no longer necessary to upholster the thresholds of publishing houses, break into newspapers, magazines and constantly hear the ridicule of people who are far from creativity.
Today, every poet can create his own website or start a blog, gather like-minded people and be constantly in the spotlight. Yes, there is a lot of competition in this segment, but if the poet is good, he will certainly be appreciated and noticed. Do not forget about literary contests. Many of them also take place online, so you don’t even have to leave home to participate. It is enough to fill out an application and send your poem. In case of victory, the author not only receives a prize, but he is published in an almanac, newspaper or other periodical.
Cicero once said that poets are born and become orators. The great thinker was mistaken in this - poets become day by day. Maybe something has been laid down since childhood, but without desire nothing can be achieved. 99% of perseverance and 1% of talent - these are all components of a successful activity. It is not necessary to think that if something is not given by nature, then it is worth giving up. If you want, try it! And if it doesn’t work, then try again. Learn, experiment and improve - this must be done around the clock. Only then, the senseless floundering will bear fruit, because there are no peaks that cannot be taken.