Exercise 1: List All The Reasons You Think You Can’t Write a Poem

There are all sorts of excuses we will come up with to tell ourselves that we can’t or shouldn’t write bad poetry. Let’s get this out of the way right now and make a list of these things. 

You might include things like, “I’m a terrible writer,” or “I don’t have time for writing poems,” or “I don’t know what to say,” or even “I hate poetry and why would I waste time doing something I hate to do?”

Try to come up with 12 real reasons you don’t think you are good at writing poems. While you are making this list, remember our first rule of poetry: Write Fast.

Don’t think too much into it. If you can only think of bananas while you are writing this list fast, write that down. If you only think of 5 or 8 reasons instead of 12, that’s okay too. Give yourself a time limit of 2 minutes.

Don’t even worry about numbering the list. Just make a list. You can be as descriptive or as concise as you like.

When you’re done making your list, you’re ready for the next lesson!