Practice Poetry To Become a Better Writer
Another tool in your toolbox for growing as a prose professional.
Many people get introduced to poetry during their school years and then never look at it again.
More’s the pity. Those people are missing out — especially if they fancy themselves a writer.
I won’t get into how poetry enters our lives every day in the form of popular music, catchy ad slogans, thoughtful greeting cards, or particularly poignant television moments. Poetry sneaks in a lot of places because it’s a mode of communicating that reaches people.
You don’t have to be a professional, full-time poet to appreciate this. But if you’re a writer — either aspiring or experienced — taking a fresh look at the practice of poetry and how it can make you a better writer could be fruitful.
I’ve written a fair share of poems over the years. I’ve even sold a few — for actual money. Poets tend not to make a lot of money being poets alone, but poetry itself as a form can help you develop as a prose writer.
That’s where the money is… if you do it right.
But more importantly, practicing poetry can help you stretch and strengthen things like self-expression, use of rhythm and word choice, flow, and growth.
