This is a question I answered on Quora, and I think it’s worth sharing:
You learn to write proper poetry by consistently writing “bad” poetry, reading “proper” poetry, and discussing it with peers. Along the way, you’ll develop a natural sense for what works and what doesn’t.
Reading is essential to refine your writing, but writing itself is even more important—after all, the goal is to write. For every poem you read, aim to write two or three.
Read more. Write even more.
The gap between the quality of your inspirations and your creations will gradually close.
Balancing self-criticism and self-confidence is crucial: too much self-criticism can undermine your self-confidence, while unchecked confidence can blind you to areas for improvement.
In the beginning, it’s important to write freely, without excessive restrain. You start bold and confident as never, as you are assessing the terrain. Embrace the inevitability of failing, and enjoy the process.
At first, you’ll likely end up with a pile of digital drafts (or a wastebasket full of crumpled papers if you’re oldschool), but over time, you’ll hone both your craft and ability to evaluate your work objectively.
Here’s a metaphor for the balance I mentioned earlier: think of it as a tug of war between self-criticism and self-confidence.
←criticism —.— confidence→
- The middle point represents equilibrium.
- When the forces are perfectly balanced, you risk stagnation, producing little of value.
Self-confidence needs to win this tug of war, but by a small margin. My hypothesis is that the best outcomes occur when self-confidence slightly outweighs self-criticism—just enough to allow movement and keep you in sight of areas for improvement. Think of it as one side exerting steady, consistent force.
Test the balance for yourself, and over time, you’ll find what works.
Reveries That I Call Poetry 