How to Write Poetry for Beginners
5 Essential Tips to Transform Your Writing
Estimated read time: 4 minutes
If you're just starting your poetry writing journey—or you've been dabbling but want to take your creative writing to the next level—these five beginner-friendly poetry tips will help you write with more confidence, vividness, and emotional depth.
I'm Nathan Hassall, the 5th Poet Laureate of Malibu, and I've spent nearly two decades writing, performing, and teaching poetry. The beginner poet tips below come from years of trial, error, and discovery—and Tip #5 is the one that most transformed my writing life.
But here's the thing—in my 10-minute video over on The Poetry Vessel YouTube channel, I demonstrate each technique with live examples, share bonus poetry writing exercises, and reveal the specific exercise that helped me break through my biggest creative block. Transform your poetry today →
1. Read Poetry Widely to Build Your Voice
Find your influences—don’t fear them. One of the biggest myths about poetry writing is that reading other poets will "taint" your voice. In truth, reading widely builds your unique voice. Every great poet has been influenced by others—sometimes in surprising ways.
I read Lorca for his dark and passionate intensity. Yeats for his visionary rhythm. Mary Oliver for her accessible nature worship. Lucille Clifton for her spiritual sensibility. Basho for contemplative haiku.
Seek out poets who ignite something in you, and be sure not to limit yourself to one style or era. Browse anthologies, explore sites like The Poetry Foundation or The American Poetry Review, and save the lines that resonate.
2. Overcome Writer’s Block with Daily Observation
Poems often begin with small, strange details that many beginner poets, and people for that matter, overlook. The lean of a houseplant toward the light. A snatch of overheard café conversation. A bee crawling over a leaf.
Start this creative writing habit: jot down at least six things that catch your attention each day—a tip from poet Linda Gregg. You'll be amazed at how many seeds for poems appear when you stop waiting for inspiration and start noticing the world.
3. Use Vivid, Sensory Language That Readers Feel
Instead of telling readers how to feel, anchor them in images they can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. This is where many beginner poets struggle most.
“I was sad” falls flat. But: "The coffee mug sat cold on the counter, the knock at the door only the wind that entered my heart." Feel the difference? Your readers will, too.
In my video, we’ll explore other examples with a poetry writing exercise included.
4. Read Your Poems Out Loud for Better Rhythm
Your ears will catch what your eyes miss in poetry writing. Reading aloud reveals awkward rhythms, unintended rhymes, and emotional dead spots that can kill even the best poem.
Pro tip: record yourself on your phone, then listen back with your eyes closed. You'll hear the poem in a new way—and you'll know where it sings and where it stumbles. You can find out the best ways to listen back in my video.
5. Write Consistently, Not Perfectly (The Game-Changer)
This is the biggest beginner mistake in creative writing: chasing perfection before you've even written a line.
Perfectionism kills poems. Consistency creates them. Try setting a 2-minute timer and writing in pure stream-of-consciousness—no editing, no judgment. Later, return to revise with fresh eyes.
U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser's hack? Have a friend read your poem aloud, cold. Wherever they stumble, that's where your poem needs attention.
This tip changed everything for me—and in the video, I reveal the exact daily practice that took me from writing sporadically to completing my first poetry collection.
Take Your Poetry Writing to the Next Level
These five poetry writing tips will immediately improve your work, but they're just the beginning of your journey as a beginner poet.
In my complete video tutorial—How to Write Poetry for Beginners: 5 Essential Tips—you'll watch me demonstrate each technique with real examples, get printable exercises you can start today, and discover the morning routine that keeps my creativity flowing.
🎥 Watch the full breakdown and start writing better poetry today →
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Poetry
How often should beginner poets write? Aim for consistency over perfection. Even 5-10 minutes daily builds your poetry writing skills faster than sporadic long sessions.
What's the best way to start a poem? Begin with a concrete image or moment that intrigues you. Avoid starting with abstract concepts or emotions.
Do I need to follow traditional poetry forms as a beginner? Not necessarily. Focus first on vivid language and authentic voice. Forms can enhance your work once you've mastered the basics.
How do I know if my poetry is any good? Read it aloud, share with trusted friends, and join beginner-friendly poetry communities online. Growth comes through practice and feedback.
What should I read to improve my poetry writing? Mix classic poets (Dickinson, Frost) with contemporary voices (Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith). Read widely across styles and eras.
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