Finding Your Unique Voice in Poetry

Creating a unique voice in poetry might seem tricky, but with some fun exercises, you can find and improve your own style. Your voice shows your personal experiences, feelings, and thoughts—it can change as you grow as a writer. The tips below will help you not only write better but also understand how tone, mood, and voice work together in your poems.

1. Read a Lot

Reading poems from different poets is a great way to shape your voice. When you read various styles and viewpoints, you learn new techniques to use in your own writing.

• Check Out Different Poets: Look at classic poets like Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, and also newer ones like Ocean Vuong and Ada Limón.
• Notice Tone and Mood: Pay attention to the feelings in their poems. Is it cheerful, sad, or dreamy? Write down what you liked and why.
• Spot the Voice: Look for ways the poet shows their voice through their choice of words or themes they often use.

2. Write from Different Characters

A cool way to find your voice is to write as different characters. This lets you try new tones and see your own experiences in a new way.

• Pick a Character or Object: This could be anyone—from a famous historical person to a simple item like a teacup.
• Get into Their Mind: Write a poem from this character’s point of view. How do they view the world? What do they think and feel?
• Play with Tone: Try to sound like the character. This helps you explore different feelings and could help refresh your own poetic voice.

3. Use Writing Prompts

Writing prompts can get your creativity flowing and push you to write differently. Trying out various prompts can surprise you with how your voice develops.

• Try Open-Ended Prompts: For example, "Write about a fading memory" or "Describe a secret place."
• Set Limits: Write a poem using a specific type of rhyme or structure. Limits can spark new ideas.
• Think About Your Work: After writing, reflect on how it felt. What parts came naturally? What felt strange? This can help you understand your voice better.

4. Freewriting

Freewriting means writing freely without stopping. This can bring out deep feelings and ideas that show your voice clearly.

• Time Yourself: Write nonstop for 10-20 minutes. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar—just let your thoughts pour out.
• Look for Gems: After you’re done, find lines or phrases that stand out to you.
• Shape Your Voice: Use your favorite parts to create a poem. Notice how your true voice shines through this raw writing.

5. Play with Sound and Rhythm

In poetry, how a poem sounds and its rhythm can shape your voice. Trying different sounds can lead to new ways to express yourself.

• Sound Exercises: Write a poem using alliteration (repeating the same starting sound), rhymes, or fun sounds like “pop” and “buzz.” See how these sounds change the feel of the poem.
• Listen to Music: Find songs that move you. See how the lyrics make you feel and think about how you could create a similar feel in your poetry.
• Read Aloud: Share your poems out loud. Notice how your voice and the poem connect when spoken.

6. Explore Different Themes

Your voice connects to the topics that matter to you. Trying out various themes can help you find your strongest voice.

• List Your Topics: What subjects do you often write about? Make a list—topics could include love, nature, loss, or identity.
• Dive Deep: Choose a topic and write several poems about it from different points of view. Change the feel of the poem based on who’s speaking.
• Push Your Boundaries: While it’s good to stick with what feels comfortable, trying something new can help expand your voice.

7. Work with Other Poets

Sharing your poetry with others helps you understand your voice better. Collaborating can give you fresh insights.

• Join a Group: Get involved in a writing group where you can share poems and get feedback on your tone and voice.
• Write Together: Create poems with others by adding a line or stanza each. Notice how the voice changes as different poets contribute.
• Revise Together: Look at your drafts with others and talk about ways to enhance your voice. Different opinions can help you see things you might miss.

8. Look Back and Edit

Your voice changes over time, so revisiting your old work is important. Reflecting on your past pieces lets you see how your voice has grown.

• Watch Your Progress: Regularly revisit older poems—note what choices you made and how they connect to your current voice.
• Take Feedback to Heart: Consider suggestions from others and how your feelings about your old work have changed.
• Rewrite: Pick an old poem and give it a fresh rewrite. This shows how your style and understanding have improved.

9. Keep a Journal

Journaling every day helps you think and observe, plus it collects ideas for your poems.

• Set Daily Writing Time: Dedicate a few minutes each day to write down your thoughts and feelings without worrying about making it perfect.
• Capture Your Mood: Reflect on daily experiences that spark feelings. Write about them in short poetic forms.
• Experiment: Use your journal to try out different voices and styles based on your spontaneous ideas.

10. Try Different Poetic Forms

Exploring different forms of poetry can bring out new voices. Trying various formats challenges your creativity.

• Experiment with Forms: Play around with sonnets, haikus, or free verse poetry.
• Set Challenges: Use forms that include specific rules or patterns. These can inspire creativity and help you discover your voice.
• Match Forms to Emotion: Think about how different forms affect the mood of the poem. How does a structured poem feel compared to one that flows freely?

Conclusion

Finding your voice in poetry takes practice and a willingness to try new things. Using these exercises can help you understand your unique sound and mood. Ultimately, your poetic voice is about being true to yourself and how you see the world. Enjoy the journey and let your voice change as you grow as a poet!