DIGGING INTO THE POET'S TOOLBOX

The TOOLBOX contains the following tools: pens or pencils, notebooks or paper, colorful markers, a laptop or tablet, a dictionary, thesaurus and a rhyming dictionary and any thing that helps you put words down.

Speaking of words! Lots of words, and a vivid imagination are a part of every poet's arsenal.

PENS - Find a pen that's comfortable for you. Try out a few. Pens are like shoes. Buy one that fits good. I have a collection of Uni-ball pens that I've been using for over 10 years.

Or if you prefer pencils. My favorite  #2 pencil is Ticonderoga, by Dixon. They call themselves "The World's Best Pencil."

Of course there's your LAPTOP or TABLET of choice and your SMART PHONE.

NOTEBOOK/JOURNAL - Your writer's notebook will be your treasure chest.  It is where you put notes observations, drafts, quotes, lists, letters, jokes, words, drawings, charts, secrets, stuff, and other things.

Like your pen, pick one that's comfortable for you: spiral, composition, wireless, or a 3-ring loose-leaf binder. It can be small, large, medium, extra small or all. In fact I use all of the above.

                       WRITE IN IT ON A REGULAR BASIS!

DICTIONARY
THESAURUS 
RHYMING DICTIONARY

These (3) books are a must. In addition to having a good paperback copy of each book, you can also use the ones built into your electronic devices. I use Webster's New World Dictionary, The Random House Roget's Thesaurus, and The Poetry Dictionary by John Drury. The rhyming dictionary is built into my laptop.

Using these tools you must write all the time. Practice, practice, practice!

(My weekly prompts posted on this blog, LET'S TALK POETRY, is an excellent way to keep you writing, so stay tuned).

In addition to writing all the time, you must also read, read, read! If you are going to WRITE POETRY, you must READ POETRY.

I read poetry throughout the day and night, subscribing to various sites that offer daily poems from various sources. Click on poets.org for starters.

Of course you can add any item to your toolbox that you like, because it it your personal storehouse for creativity.

So open up that toolbox and get busy. The world is waiting to read your poems!


                          THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IS BY DOING!!