Melissa Westemeier

I’m no poet.  I try.  I read poetry.   I scribble a few lines now and then.  I even submitted a few poems that made it to publication.  I believe in my heart that even if I never become a good poet, learning and trying poetry makes me a better writer.  Poetry relies on all the loveliness of language–imagery, metaphor, assonance, rhyme, rhythm–that improves any kind of writing.

But I feel rather lonely writing bad poetry.  I don’t aspire (really) to write good poetry.  Most poets I know either have their poems come easily or they make much of even mediocre poems that they write.  No one goes around talking about bad poetry or admitting to writing any.

Until today.  Today at BlogHer I got to peek at someone else’s bad poetry habits and learn two things:

a) I’m not alone.

b) Bad poetry CAN lead to better writing.  And occasionally a decent poem.

Check it out over at BlogHer:  How to Write (Better): Even Bad Poetry Can Make You A Better Writer by Schmutzie.