1. Read! This may sound like a funny tip for writing, but it may be the most important tip of all. Every successful writer I know reads a lot--both poetry and stories. I get inspired by other writer's writing, including yours! Sadly, I didn't read a lot as a kid. But I do now.

2. Write down all your ideas, quickly, before they escape! Keep an idea notebook. It doesn't have to be neat. It's your private place. I add 5-6 new ideas to my journal each day. Do they all become poems or stories? No, but someday, somewhere I'll use them. When I'm stuck some days, or need a little inspiration, I love to take an idea journal journey and read through my collections of ideas. It's delightful.

3. Try to write as often as you can. Everyday would be great. Keep a separate writing journal. Writing leads to more writing, and better ideas. Everyday you get better.

4. Develop a "first draft checklist". When I write a poem and finish the first draft, here are some things I try to do:

a. Read your poem over several times quietly.
b. Take out the words that don't have power, or change them.
c. Look at every word, especially the verbs (the action words).
("The old man trudged, or limped, or slouched, or crawled up the hill" sounds so much better than, "The old man walked slowly up the hill", don't you think?
d. Ask yourself, "Does my poem say what I want it to say?"
e. Ask, "Does it look like I want it to?"
f. Does it sound right?

5. Don't worry about rhyming. Searching for just the right rhyming words can really slow you down, and often is not as powerful as free verse poems. I find it's often harder to convey true, honest feelings in a rhyming poem.

6. Read your poem out loud, to yourself or to a friend. Sometimes I read my poem first to my dog. When she wags her tail, I know nothing. But I can tell if it sounded good to me.

7. Have someone read your poem to you! When your poem is just the way you like it, be courageous and give your poem to a friend to read to you. This is the ultimate test.

8. Don't give up until your poem is just the way you like it.

9. Put your poem away for a while, maybe even several days or weeks. When you come back to it later, you?ll see and hear your poem with new eyes and fresh ears.

10. Share your poem with the world. Publish it. Send it to friends and family. It feels so great to have others enjoying your hard work and creativity. Send your poem to me so I can share it with the world on this web site. Click here to read all the cool kid-poems.