Happy Saturday!
Simplicity is something I am practicing in life and my writing. Recently, it has found its way into my poetry, and I am embracing a more minimalist approach when I write. Minimalism in poetry is not just about cutting your word count. It's about using the right words to convey a deeper message with fewer words.
Let's discuss some writing tips and tricks to make your poems more minimalistic.
Tip 1: Focus on one thing at a time
Poetry can be dense. Different emotions, experiences, and environments can be grouped into one poem to create a condensed poem, but what if you focused on a single subject?
I think we all have a powerful memory, one that's emotional weight is a tad heavier than the others. It could be something as simple as sitting outside on a sunny day, or something deeply personal such as a fight with a family member. Center your poem on one moment, and try to make every moment count.
Ex: maybe the future
will hold something more than the
cracked glass of my mind.
This is an example of a poem I wrote about hope. I chose to write it in the form of a haiku to minimize my work usage.
Tip 2: Cut down on unnecessary words
This one is a little trickier when it comes to poetry. Although the craft is about conveying emotion in less words than prose, sometimes it can be even shorter! Every word must count, so try to take out any unnecessary words, and focus on the words that create the most impact. The root of the poem should not diminish after you cut down on these words.
Ex: maybe the future
holds more than
my cracked memories
In this example, I took the previous poem and cut down on unnecessary words. Notice how the poem has the same depth and meaning as before!
Tip 3: Line Breaks and White Space
This particular tip is one I am still learning to utilize, so take it from someone who also struggles with this! Line breaks and white spaces allow for the reader to pause, and to have a moment to reflect on what they’re reading. The last thing you want a reader to do is rush through your poetry. Help them out! Give them a reason to pause and take in the poem by manipulating the space between your words.
Ex: maybe
the future holds
more than
my cracked memories
How did you read this version of the poem? Did you pause to allow your eyes to find the next line? How has the meaning and impact of the poem changed?
Tip 4: Utilizing Ambiguity
I firmly believe poetry is supposed to say something withou actually saying it. We use fancy language to weave a story for the reader, but often they are made to finish the story, or interpret the words from their perspective. Ambiguity can give poetry more depth by allowing the poem to have multiple meanings.
Ex: maybe
the future holds
more.
Consider this revision of the poem we’ve been working on. The author does not tell the reader what has happened in the past, or exactly what they hope for in the future. You can still understand the poem’s meaning, but those missing elements allow the reader to form their own interpretation of what the author has been through.
Tip 5: Experiment!
Poetry has many different forms. Utilize them! Check out some poetry forms HERE and play around with your poems. It helps me to make copies of your work so you don’t lose the original. This allows you to play around with form without the fear of ‘messing up’ your poem.
Thank you so much for reading! Enjoy your weekend, and happy writing <3
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