Untamed

Finding inspiration in others’ work is great.

I have started reading all sorts of peoples’ work online in all sorts of formats.  I find listening to spoken words is really encouraging and listening to the way people speak their poetry can be inspiring.

Learning new words from people can change the way you write your work. It can give you ideas for new pieces of work or change the way you look at poetry altogether.  You may be encouraged to speak your words at a poetry slam for example.

It’s from listening to people’s poems online that I have had the courage to enter a poetry competition. I have handed in a manuscript of 16 poems all along one theme. Lets face it, as a new, inexperienced writer, I’m not expecting to even make the cut, but I would never have done this before had it not been from being inspired by other people.

I have confidence to share my work since being online, and even though my followers are small, knowing that people are reading my poems (and hopefully enjoying them) gives me more confidence.

I have also met a lovely dear old gentleman by the name of Steve who is from the UK but lives in my town.  He is a member of our local poetry group and has written some beautiful poems, again, all very different to mine.  I could listen to him speak about anything all day.  He has a way with words and his language is so articulate.  He could probably sell anybody anything!  His poetry collection is amazing, and his history is one you would see written in a book.

Read, read, read… collect poetry books from op shops, ask for them for gifts. Poetry books of any kind and just read so many different works.

Never shudder at poetry online, it can be just as beautiful.  So many ways to express ourselves now and it’s catching on fast!