Poetry Writing Exercises for the Senses
When you engage your readers’ senses by exploring taste, touch, sound, sight, and smell in your writing, you create a visceral image and give your readers something they can connect with on a physical level.
Have you ever read a passage that described a delicious meal and suddenly realized you were hungrily salivating?
Our senses are even more powerful than our cognitive memories. Mention the smell of someone smoking a pipe, the scent of freshly baked cookies, or the odor of a barnyard, and suddenly these aromas magically fill the air.
You can use the phenomena of the senses to make your poetry come alive.
Writing Poetry that Captivates
Great poetry pulls a reader out of his or her current reality and takes them to another place – even if only for an instant. A well-written poem creates a snapshot of a scene, event, or situation and draws the reader inside.
One of the first things that novice poets learn is the power of imagery. Once you can create compelling images in your poetry, you need to find a way to get your readers to step inside those images. Music does this by coupling storytelling with sound. Surely, you’ve gotten lost inside a song – completely swept away by the melody and cadence. Poetry can do the same thing, but without instruments, poets must use language to engage the senses and lure a reader into the scene.
The five senses are:
- Sight
- Touch
- Taste
- Sound
- Smell
Three Sensory Poetry Writing Exercises
The following poetry writing exercises start with the simple task of bringing sensory perception into your poetry writing, but then become more challenging by asking you to go beyond images that provoke the senses. You’ll actually step inside the senses themselves, and the results will be far more dynamic.
Each of the poetry writing exercises below can be completed for each of the five sentences. Try one or try them all. Have fun with this exercise, and be sure to check out the tips at the end for some extra insight.
- 1. Engage the Senses
- Write a poem that uses one or more of the senses to captivate the reader. Choose phrases and images that are highly descriptive and have extremely strong references to the senses. As a bonus challenge, try to include all five senses in a single poem.
- 2. Dancing Around the Senses
- Write a poem that evokes the sensations of one or more of the five senses without using nouns or verbs that are directly related to the senses themselves. Think about how the word “boom” tickles your ears just a little bit and you’ll get the idea. Examples of words to avoid: smell, scent, aroma, odor, taste, touch, feel, sight, see, view, hear, listen, etc.
- 3. Be Sensible
- Write as the sense itself. In other words, you are sound. What do you have to say to the world? You can personify the senses or think of them as a metaphor for something else so that you can step into their characters. This one is difficult, so you might try being simple and specific to start with. For example, instead of writing from the perspective of sound, write as if you are music.
Bonus Poetry Writing Tips
The poetry exercises above will help you build a piece that goes beyond imagery. You’ll create a scene, complete with all the sensations of reality. Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind as you work through these poetry writing exercises:
- Avoid clichés or any phrases that feel overused. No fresh scents, delicious tastes, or soft touches. Try to come up with ideas and images that are original.
- Show, don’t tell. This reinforces the use of imagery. Don’t say “the dog’s barking makes my ears hurt.” Instead, say “The dog shrieks.”
- Use a thesaurus to find adjectives and adverbs that are compelling and uncommon. Better yet, forgo adjectives and adverbs in exchange for more descriptive nouns and verbs. Instead of “bad smell” use “stink.” Trade phrases like “listening carefully” for words like “enthralled.”
If you try any of these poetry writing exercises, then post yours in the comments, especially if your poem is fairly short. If you publish one of these on your blog or website, be sure to leave a link in the comments.
If you have any great poetry writing exercises of your own, share them by commenting or sending in a guest post.
Have a great weekend and keep on writing!
Daily Writing Equals Better Writing
Recently, we talked about developing better writing habits and I shared five writing tips to help you improve your writing over time by developing beneficial habits.
Today, I want to talk about why the number one tip on that list was write every single day, and I’ll explain why it’s the best path to better writing.
Writing on a Whim
I started out writing poetry just before I hit my teens. Writing was a sacred outlet, and I poured my dreams, frustrations, and desires onto the pages of my notebook. During those years, I developed a very unhealthy attitude about writing, one that I believe many young or new writers cling to — that talent is all that matters. You had it or you didn’t, and it never occurred me that something that required talent would also benefit from hard work. So, I wrote, but only when I felt like it. Weeks would go by and I wouldn’t write a word, and then in just a few days, I’d half fill a notebook with my amateur poetry.
By the time high school was over, my belief in talent and the habit I’d developed for writing only on a whim or whenever the fancy struck me were embedded into my thinking and my behavior. Later, my whole perception of writing would be shaken.
Daily Writing
Eventually, I entered the creative writing program at university. For the first time in my life, writing was more than a casual fling; it started to become challenging. Surrounded by peers of equal or even greater talent, I started pushing myself. I suddenly realized that I wanted produce better writing — I wanted to be a talented writer, yes, but also a developed one. My coursework required that I write constantly. In one semester I would have anywhere from two to four writing classes, with lots of homework and plenty of projects, which kept me busy writing — every single day.
Immediately, I began to see a change in my own work, a shift. The poetry I wrote was consistently better than what I’d written the day before. My short stories, once flat and lifeless, started to take on some energy, and my essays, which had always been strong, reached new heights.
There were many reasons for this rapid growth. I learned the value of editing, of being a choosy reader, of using resources, like books that were packed with writing exercises designed to improve different aspects of my writing or help me discover new terrain in my work.
The feedback from peer reviews and critiques were invaluable. But these practices ebbed and flowed. One course would be laden with critiques, and other courses wouldn’t involve them at all. Some instructors liked to see the raw footage, the unedited stuff; others made you proofread and revise incessantly before turning anything in. One thing, however, was completely consistent: daily writing had become an ingrained habit for me.
Better Writing Happens When You Do it Every Day
It was making a habit out of writing daily, making it a priority in my life, that had the greatest impact on improving my writing.
There are thousands of tips out there for how to be a better writer. You’ve all read the books or at least heard of them. There are articles and lists, websites (yes, like this one), and short courses that say do this, do that, write sideways or upside down. Write in a park, or try a cafe, use a thesaurus, burn the thesaurus…
All of that advice does have value. Sometimes you’ll find a golden writing tip that works perfectly for you, but it’s rare for those tips to prove helpful for everyone. Only a very few bits of advice are truly applicable for every writer across the board, and writing daily is first and foremost among them.
What are You Waiting For?
It almost seems obvious if you think about it. You want to be a writer, so uh — yeah — you should write. A lot. Yet many don’t.
Daily writing is by far the best way to become better. Writing regularly will even increase your creativity. Some people worry that if they write too often, they’ll run out of ideas. But the truth is that the more you create, the more creative you become. Writing daily will only give you more writing ideas than ever before.
Are there a few extra specially talented writers out there who can just produce mind-boggling work without practicing regularly? Of course, they’re prodigies. Should you let a day go by without writing a single word? Yes, occasionally, that’s probably a good thing to do. A little break now and then can give you some perspective.
If your goal is better writing, then commit to writing every single day. Whether you write for five minutes or an hour, doing it daily ingrains writing as a regular part of your life. Stick with it and eventually, you’ll master it.
So, keep on writing (every single day)!
Do you write every day? Occasionally? Only when you feel like it? How has your writing frequency improved or affected the quality of your writing? Do you have any tips to share that will help others produce better writing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March, 2008. It has been updated and revised, and therefore republished.
How to Be More Creative
Inspiration strikes at the most inopportune times — when you’re driving, taking a shower, dining at a restaurant. Then, when you sit down to write, draw, or solve a problem, your mind goes blank.
The muse has eluded you once again.
Creativity is fleeting. But there are techniques you can implement to keep creativity flowing and tools you can use to convince your muse to show up when you’re ready to create.
Alchemy
In the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, alchemy was a form of chemistry and philosophy that sought to turn baser metals into gold and discover the elixir of life. A more modern definition of alchemy is the magical ability to change a common substance of little value into a substance of great value.
Creativity is inherently linked to alchemy. Our life experiences, thoughts, and ideas are of little value until we channel them into something of substance — a compelling book, a mesmerizing piece of art, or a dazzling performance. Creative people, such as writers, artists, and performers, are alchemists on a quest to transform the stuff of the mind and body into something that others can experience and enjoy.
A Handbook for Alchemists
Marelisa Fábrega is an alchemist in her own right, and an expert on creativity. Her website, The Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online is a hot spot for gathering ideas and resources for creativity and problem solving, and now, Marelisa has put years of experience and accumulated knowledge into a superb creativity resource.
How to Be More Creative — A Handbook for Alchemists is packed with tools, ideas, recommendations, and proven techniques that will keep your creativity flowing and help your muse stay on task.
- Learn new ways to approach problems and think creatively
- Access facts and information about how the creative mind works
- Discover tons of fun tools and resources that trigger creativity
- Collect techniques that unleash innovative ideas
- Engage in exciting activities that promote creativity
This handbook includes success stories and inside tips from experts who have learned how to master their own creativity. Did you know that Stephen Spielberg’s best ideas come to him while he’s driving? Would you believe that the song “Yesterday” came to Paul McCartney in his sleep? Ever wonder what an acclaimed science-fiction author like Isaak Asimov does when he’s struck with writer’s block?
Get your copy of How to Be More Creative — A Handbook for Alchemists and find out.
More Creative Writing
As I was reading through this handbook, a funny thing happened. I started writing in my journal — profusely. Scraps of paper on my desk filled up with ideas and sketches from spontaneous brainstorming sessions. My muse seemed to be working double shifts.
Every chapter of the book opens your mind to new ways of accessing your own creativity. Each link you click takes you on a brand new adventure. And all of the activities are fun and inspiring. Make sure you read this with a notebook handy, because it’s packed with insights that you’ll want to jot down.
Now, weeks have passed since I finished reading Marelisa’s handbook, but my creativity is still flowing. If it ebbs, I can simply pop open my Handbook for Alchemists and within minutes, the creative wheels will start spinning. Yes, it’s that powerful! I can’t recommend this resource highly enough.
Be More Creative
You don’t have to sit there staring at a blank page ever again. Ideas and inspiration will never elude you again. With a copy of How to Be More Creative, you can invoke the muse whenever you want.
Click here to visit Abundance Blog at Marelisa Online website!
Do you have any favorite creativity or writing resources to share? Have you visited Marelisa’s blog or read her ebook? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
How More Reading Leads to Better Writing
If you want to develop better writing habits, you’ll have to do more than just write.
There are lots of things you can do to improve your writing. You can join a writing community, work on your grammar skills, and you can collect writing resources and useful writing tips and ideas. Put all these things in your writer’s toolbox and you’ll be in good shape. But it will all be for naught if you don’t ever take the time to read.
Reading is the single most important activity that leads to better writing. In fact, it’s just as crucial as actually writing. So, let’s talk about why it’s essential for writers to read as much as possible.
More Good Reading
The glasses in the picture up there aren’t mine, but I do wear glasses when I’m reading or working at the computer. My eyes are shot and the reason for that is because I’ve worn them out on books. That’s right, I read so much that I actually damaged my eyes. As a child, I used to read by poor light if necessary. I was supposed to be sleeping, but as a lifelong insomniac, I opted to read by a dull night light instead of heading off to dreamland.
A friend of mine recently told me that she believes adult writers who were childhood readers have acquired a natural talent for word craft. She went on to explain that she didn’t read much as a kid; her love of writing drove her to read more as an adult and she feels she has to work harder at writing than her writer friends who grew up with their noses buried in books. Makes sense to me, but then again, I was one of those reading kids.
The human brain is like a sponge. We soak up everything that we observe and experience throughout our lives, and each thing we are exposed to becomes part of the very fiber of our beings. What we read is no exception. You may not be able to recite the Mother Goose nursery rhymes you read as a child, but they’re still somewhere in that head of yours. When a little voice whispers jack be nimble, jack be quick, there’s a good chance you’ll recall that jack jumped over a candlestick. It’s embedded in your brain.
Better Writing
By reading a lot, you will develop a familiarity with language. Your vocabulary will expand and turns of phrase will wedge themselves into your memory. Even grammar sinks in. Forget memorizing all the rules, just read writers who are grammatically adept. Eventually, it all will become part of your mental makeup.
If you know exactly what kind of writer you want to be, you’re in luck. Your best bet is to read a lot within your favorite genre. Find authors that resonate with your sensibility and read all their books. Notice that each writer has a very distinct voice, one that makes their work recognizable. If you read enough of one author’s work, you’ll probably be able to pick them out of a quotation lineup (I had to take that test in college).
At the same time, you don’t want to rope yourself off from experiencing a wide range of styles. You might like high literature and want to pen the next Pulitzer-Prize-winning work of fiction. You should read the classics, of course, but don’t completely avoid the bestsellers. There’s a mentality among some writers that you should only read that which you want to write. It’s hogwash. Reading outside your chosen area of specialty will diversify and expand your skills, and you’ll be equipped to bring new techniques and methods into your craft. If you so choose, you’ll even be able to walk, or perhaps cross, genre lines.
Read and Write, Read and Write, Repeat
I think all writers benefit from reading (and writing) poetry. It is one sure way to develop a killer vocabulary, the ability to formulate vivid imagery, and infuse other types of writing with creativity. I know, some writers don’t love poetry, but I have to pitch my passion, right?
Reading also makes for invigorating conversation. You can join a book club or visit Booking Through Thursday, a website where you share your reading adventures with other passionate readers.
Do you ever read for the sole purpose of improving your writing? I usually just poke around for reading material that interests me. I try to read a little bit of everything from fiction to nonfiction to poetry to journalistic pieces. I like to open my mind and let it all in.
What are you reading these days?
Do you have any writing tips that have helped you in your pursuit of better writing? Any stories to tell about how reading has improved your writing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April, 2008 but has been updated with new information and insights, and therefore republished for your reading pleasure. Keep on (reading and) writing!
August News and Announcements
August is here and summer is almost halfway over. Is the heat getting to you yet?
Here in California, it’s been relatively cool so far, though now that I’ve said so, maybe the Mercury will rise. Murphy’s Law must state somewhere that if you say it’s a cool summer, the heat will kick in.
Mid-Year Review
This is a good time of year to review your annual writing goals to see if you’ve made any progress. If you’re like me, you review your goals once a month (or even once a week). My big-picture goals have remained pretty consistent for the last few years, but the smaller stepping stones keep changing. With each change, I feel like I’m getting closer to a concrete, long-term plan. No matter what happens, I keep climbing, striving toward my biggest aspirations.
If you haven’t set any goals, you can’t do a mid-year review, but you can work on your objectives for the latter half of the year. Do you want to submit your work to publications? Are you going to finish that novel? Will you make it a habit to write every single day?
Whatever you want to achieve in life, you can. Setting goals is a critical factor in success. Goals keep you focused and help you stay the course over the long haul. So write them down and follow up regularly (I recommend reviewing goals a minimum of three or four times a year).
Coming in August
Luckily, I just finished fine-tuning my editorial calendar for Writing Forward. That’s one goal I can mark with a gold star. Coming up this month, we’re going to answer the question: “What’s the difference between proofreading and editing?” (I get this question all the time). We’ll also learn how to use a semicolon.
Creative writing topics will lean toward poetry with a post on English sonnets and a look at a famous poet. Plus, a review of an excellent, new creativity resource that will permanently lure your muse out of hiding. Make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss any of it.
Shootin’ the Breeze
How’s your summer going? Did you take a vacation or do you have one planned? Are you working on plans for autumn (I’m thinking about taking a class this fall)? What have you been writing?
You have been writing, right? Keep it up!
