Current, the ‘free verse’ style of poetry is the most popular. In the late 19th century, Walt Whitman is credited with originating the form. Before his time, poetry was restricted to certain rhyming schemes and forms.

Formal poetry generally follows a set pattern, in rhyme and meter. We commonly place a letter at the end of the last word in each line. Analyzing these patterns is called scansion.

If the first two lines rhyme with each other, we would place an A at the end of each line. If the third and fourth line rhyme with each other but not the first two, we would place a B at the end of each. The pattern would be AABB. If the fifth line rhymes with either, we would place an A, or B appropriately. If it does not rhyme, a C would be used.

Next, we are concerned with meter. Each line contains a set number of beats, usually two or three syllables. The most common beat is ‘Iambic pentameter’. The individual beats consist of a short and a strong pulse. This beat is present in words such as ‘arrest, domain, forsooth’. The accent is on the second syllable.

OK, enough rules and on to the fun stuff. What do you start with when you tell stories or write letters? Do you begin with something you overheard? Witnessed? Read About? Start with what you are comfortable with, that’s the best way to start.

What type of poem did you have in mind? A Story? A comment? Or could it be a character study? Go through some examples to help get you started off on the right foot. It is common to get what is called “writer’s block”. If this happens, take a break, or come back to it the next day. If your out and something comes to you, jot it down.

Good poems take weeks and sometimes months to come up with. Don’t rush it. If your stuck, take a break for a few days and come back. Don’t re-read the entire draft, simply begin with the last line in your poem. You can surprise yourself.

Visit dashboardarticles for many articles on creating poetry

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • blog traffic exchangeBuy Custom Written Essays and Enjoy Its Advantages Online writing consultancy has been supporting the quest for academic writing excellence through its services.Online writing companies has been one of the main sources of assistance that are being provided to students and professional alike. These companies offer the following: Non-plagiarized essays. The most important thing that online writing......
  • blog traffic exchangeWriting Tips: How To Start A Memoir There are many people who have led extraordinary lives. If you feel as though you fit this bill, or that you have a story to be told through the journey of your life, you might consider writing it out in novel format. There are several successful novels of similar......
  • Persuasive Online Copywriting: How to Take Your Words to the BankPersuasive Online Copywriting: How to Take Your Words to the Bank (Paperback) Review "...An excellent, practical guide to writing with conversion rates in mind" -- Nick Usborne, Author, Net Words: Creating High Impact Online Copy"...this is a must have volume." -- Larry Chase, WDFM.com Publisher and Author"Any business-person who wants to succeed online should read and implement the tactics and strategies......
  • blog traffic exchangeWhat You Will Need To Write Fantasy Novels You will need several things for a workable fantasy novel. When you begin your story will need a plot. It can be quite hard to find an idea. Once you find the idea and plot for your story you need to add interesting and workable facts. No one will......
  • The Recession-Busting Guide To Making Money Online From HomeThe Recession-Busting Guide To Making Money Online From Home (Paperback) Imagine walking into a coffee shop and meeting 19 people at one large table, each of whom works from home for a living and each of whom does something different. Some sell mortgages, others write resumes, and some sell crafts, all from the comfort of their home. Now think......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • blog traffic exchangeAlternative Income Streams - July 2009 Another month is in the books... isn't this year just flying by? I'd hate to go back and look at my goals for the beginning of this year. It seems like life changes too much to hit the goals I set. Perhaps I need to be more abstract and come......
  • honeytrap_msr1Go Down Under with Alexis Fleming and Win A Copy of Honey Trap Today we're talking to Alexis Fleming, Aussie author, and contributor to the Going Down Under series at Ellora's Cave.  Her book, Honey Trap, was released just this morning.  Because of time differences, it's going to be about 1pm MST before Alexis will be up and about and returning comments, but......
  • blog traffic exchangeHeartbroken Poem To Help You Heal If you’ve ever been through a sad break-up with someone you’ve love, you may have written a heartbroken poem. You may have even written such a poem for things like the loss of a pet or a family member, sadness at moving away from your friends, or any number of......
  • blog traffic exchangeTwitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-14 Have an all new look blog, lots of photography, poems and articles. http://bit.ly/47XSb5 # It's a bit more of a 'fun' look then the main website. # Wow, new photograph "Fire" with poem gets into the top ten for the first time http://bit.ly/5jHnfD # Still at number one on......
  • blog traffic exchange10 Tips For Article Writing Newbies This post on the 10 Tips For Article Writing Newbies, is not written from the 'backseat drivers' point of view!  Instead, it is by and from the perspective of someone who remembers the early days of my own uncertainty as a article writer. It is written especially with the article......