From self-imposed constraints to getting to the heart of your message, these creative tips are designed for budding poets who need help putting pen to paper

Writing poetry comes with a wealth of wellbeing benefits that often go unspoken. One study by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, found that reading and/or writing poetry helped people deal with feelings of loneliness or isolation, and helped with feelings of anxiety and depression.

Similarly, a 2018 paper by the University in Montreal found that writing poetry can assist in self-healing and self-empathy for those living with chronic pain. A 2014 paper, published in the Journal of Poetry Therapy, argues that poetry writing is not just a creative activity but a therapeutic and developmental one – touching on all five domains of the PERMA model for wellbeing, providing a powerful tool for ‘flourishing’ psychologically.

And, at Happiful, we love to celebrate the power of writing and reading poetry because of all the astounding mental health benefits it offers, which is why every Autumn we launch our Happiful Poetry Prize. 

We know that finding the courage to open up about vulnerable topics in poetry is helpful, but it can be overwhelming too. So if you’re thinking of writing some rhymes, here are some tips from well-versed poets on how to overcome creative blocks and put pen to paper…

Write in the morning 

Although not everyone is an early bird, there are benefits to writing in the morning. Often, it is the quietest part of the day, perhaps before anyone else in your house is awake, which means fewer distractions and peace to think.

“Whether that is pen to paper in your journal, or beyond, into shaping a piece of work, I have always found my flow most easily when I have made space for my writing before any distractions,” suggests coach, singer, and writer Tommy Ludgate. 

Carry a slush book 

“Not to be mistaken with an ordinary notebook, diary, or journal, a ‘slush book’ is where you put everything,” explains poet Danielle Pegg. “Those absolutely cringe things you would never dare to say out loud but need to get out of your system.

"That shocking bit of gossip you heard, or the wise words a 4-year-old hit you with the other day. Scribbles, doodles, dried flowers, song lyrics, that annoying jingle that's stuck on a loop in your brain. No one should ever be able to make sense of it. It should be a volcano of content. An avalanche of awareness.”

By documenting your thoughts and experiences in this non-judgemental way, you’ll never be short of inspiration when you sit down to write a poem. 

Use constraints

“Constraints will push you into unexpected language choices and help you decide what you are trying to say in your work,” suggests Darien Hsu Gee, who is an author, award-winning editor, and can be found on Substack teaching the art of micro prose.

“Write a love poem using only words that appear on restaurant menus. Write about grief using only questions. Write about your childhood using only words that end in ‘ing’.”

These self-imposed limits can make creative choices less overwhelming and can produce unusual results.

Write visually 

Nelly Bryce is a poet, writer, and journaling guide from Manchester. She notes that the writer’s rule of ‘show not tell’ is one to remember.

“I still need to remind myself of this regularly when writing poetry. Every single word has to earn its place. Just today, I was editing a prose poem where I'd written, ‘I felt different’. I crossed it through before asking myself questions like how, why, what did that look like?” 

Painting a picture of an experience if often far more powerful that simply saying how you feel – because it envelops the reader in the sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations, allowing them to feel something too. 

Go for substance over style 

“It has to long for something, challenge something, reveal something. Personally, I'm drawn to poems where that heart is beating loud and clear, even if the craft side is lacking,” confesses Nelly.

“For a long time I feared I had to be a master of line breaks, rhyme schemes, and other poetic devices before I could even start sharing my poetry. Of course, all of those things matter and make a difference – but they can be learnt over time. Anyone can start writing poetry. Write from the heart first and foremost, feel the poem, if you get that bit right, I think the rest will come."

Don’t try to write a poem

“Often, I’ll think of a phrase or topic I’d like to explore, and I freewrite with no expectation of where it will go,” says founder, writer, and consultant Charlotte Ferris.

“It’s very much a journaling kind of process for me, as I find it acts as a release for my thoughts. I did this for a recent poem and it’s pretty much the quickest and most enjoyable way to get me writing!”  

Keep going

“Most poets quit not because they lack talent, but because they expect their voice to arrive fully formed,” says Darien.

“Your voice is built through time and consistency, through writing hundreds of poems that don't quite work yet. Take your work seriously enough to keep improving, but lightly enough to keep playing.”

So, when the blank page is calling and the words want to wander, which of these tips will you be trying? We can't wait to read your poems if you choose to submit them to the Happiful Poetry Prize. To get updates on the competition, sign up for our free magazine.