Q: I want to build a habit of writing regularly, but I often don’t know what to write about. It’s easy when I’m feeling a strong emotion like sadness or joy, but how do I keep my momentum on an average day? —Stumped Poet
A: First of all, anything that contributes to your writing can “count.” For example, instead of forcing yourself to write, you could spend the time reading poetry. You could talk to friends or family about a piece on which you’re working. Another great idea is to get involved with a poetry group—either in your community or online. Being amongst like-minded creatives will help keep you in the writing mind-set. Don’t forget about revision: every poem written needs to be edited and revised.
Here are some topics to spark your imagination:
• Look at pictures or photos
• The colors in nature
• Three wishes
• Travel or a special place
• An animal or pet
• What poetry means to you
• A person you admire
• Love or heartbreak
• Loss and grief
• View from a window or mirror
• Compare two things
• Something never done before
• A childhood experience
• Your greatest fear
• How to do something
• The passage of time
• A word chosen at random
• A historical event