When it comes to my creative process for writing poetry, it’s all about embracing the moment and I usually let my surroundings inspire me. Whether it’s the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, the scent of rain, or an important memory, I find that inspiration can be found in the simplest of things. Sometimes that inspiration is not of a “good” memory or thought, and that is still relevant to my writing.
Once I’m in the right frame of mind, I like to immerse myself in the world of poetry. I may read works by other poets, both classic and contemporary, to get in the mood and spark ideas for rhyme and wordplay, if that is what I am working on. This helps me connect with the rhythm and language of poetry, setting the stage for my own creative expression. I sometimes also read my older poems, because my own words help me understand and feel the emotions I felt inspired by.
When it comes time to write, I adopt a ‘raw’ approach, allowing the words to flow freely without any editing or overthinking. I focus on capturing the essence of my emotions and thoughts, letting the poem take shape organically. I find this is important so the poem feels authentic and honest. To me, poetry is about the human feeling, so the actual moment helps shape the writing with whatever intensity it comes.
Finally, I will move on to the editing stage, where I refine the poem by making changes for better flow. I also check for punctuation and coherence. This step is crucial for ensuring that the poem is polished and ready to be shared with others and it is easily understood. In this stage, it is also important to read the poem out loud and see if the ideas merge together and make sense.
Overall, I would say my creative process is a journey of exploration. By embracing inspiration, reading, writing, and editing as integral parts of my process, I want to create poems that resonate with readers and capture some essences of the human experience, just like Dr. Angelou said. Her words touch me deeply.
How is your creative process? Share your thoughts in the comments.