
Ever wondered how to write a poem? These tips are useful for all forms of writing, but when applied to poetry they can really make a huge difference.
Stay inspired
I think that most of the time, ideas don’t come freely because we just aren’t tuned into them.
We need to think up ideas all the time to keep up the flow of our writing, especially with poetry when it might only take a few days to finish it.
If there are no ideas then we aren’t writing, and if we aren’t writing then we can’t improve.
Keep a dedicated notebook for ideas near you at all times. And not just near you, but in your eyeline.
By having it there, you’re training yourself to pay more attention to the ideas pinging around your brain and hopefully start catching them more often.
And don’t judge the idea as a bad one before you’ve written it down — it could be that a rubbish idea sparks a better one at a later date when you look over your notes.
Avoid cliché
It’s always best to avoid worn out phrases no matter what you’re writing, but poetry uses so few words that it’s doubly important.
It wastes space, and it will lead to the reader switching off.
Just think of those times you’ve rolled your eyes at an action film for using the same line as hundreds of others. You can even predict what the next line will be.
You want your poem to be unpredictable, to keep the reader engaged and guessing.
Every line should feel fresh. And the easiest way to make it stale is to use a cliché.
Make it new
This follows on from the last point.
Ask yourself whether there’s a more interesting way to say something.
For example, “Tyger Tyger, burning bright” is very familiar to us now, but take it in as though you’re the first person to read those words.
Not only is it an interesting way to describe a tiger, but it also fits the themes of the poem – the awe of God’s creation and the existence of evil. All summed up in just four words! That’s the beauty of poetry!
Imagine if William Blake had written “The Tyger with stripy fur” . . .
Just try playing around with a couple of lines to see what you can come up with!
Read constantly
It’s the golden rule of writing anything: do your reading.
Imagine being asked to build a house without ever having seen one.
Read all kinds of poets, and all kinds of poetry — the good and the bad, the old and the new.
It might seem strange to seek out bad poetry, but just as important as learning what makes a good poem, is learning what makes a bad one!
If you’re submitting your poem to the “Friend” or somewhere else, make sure you understand the readers and what they like to read.
First is not best

Pic: Shutterstock
We love rhymes at the “Friend”, but the trick to a good one is to make sure that it isn’t forced.
You’ll be able to tell because it probably doesn’t make much sense with the line that came before it. Or maybe it does . . . but only if you squint.
Write down the initial words that come to you, but don’t think of it as the final version.
A good idea is to put the poem away for a week (or even a month) and come back to it with fresh eyes. Or give it to a trusted friend — someone who isn’t afraid to give constructive criticism.
Rework it. Your first draft is just the rough sketch.
Find a rhythm
Poetry is meant to be spoken aloud, so read it out to yourself. Don’t be shy!
This is a great way to find lines that are too wordy and to test the rhythm. If it doesn’t flow on the tongue, it won’t flow on the page.
This is also handy when it comes to writing dialogue!
Experiment with different types of poetry with our Poetry Prompts series here.
Some poems for inspiration:
Poetry Competition
Do you write poetry in your spare time, or have you always wanted to?
Now is the time to get creative, as “The People’s Friend” launch our first ever poetry competition.
The theme for the entries is “Harmony” which can mean a number of different things – there is no right or wrong interpretation.
The poem should be three verses of four lines.
Email your poem by March 1, 2025, along with your name and address to: pfeditor@dcthomson.co.uk. Pick up a copy of “The People’s Friend” for more details of the poetry competition, and T & Cs.
First prize is £150, with the winning poem featuring in the “Friend”. Three runners-up will each receive £50.