As the beloved T.S. Eliot reminds us, “April is the cruelest month.” And of course it is- NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) is upon us! For those who are aware of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), the poetically inclined have their own writing challenge during the month of April to produce 30 poems in 30 days.
It’s Dangerous to Go Alone, Take This!
To celebrate, 1889 Labs is here with support! Every day on our facebook page, you’ll find a writing prompt for your daily poem- whether it be a phrase, photo, a favourite poet, or just a word to get your creativity flowing.
Our resident poet, Gabriel Gadfly, is celebrating NaPo too! The Poetry Matters project invites you to join in the poetry community as we post videos and create an ongoing dialogue on why poetry matters to us- whether it be writing, reading, or both.
Tips and Tricks on Getting Through NaPoWriMo Alive!
As a NaPoWriMo participant since 2006, I thought I might offer some advice on how to have a successful (and fun!) month when it comes to the poetry challenge. It’s not always easy, and sometimes you don’t finish- but that’s okay. So how can you survive it?
1) It’s about quantity- not quality (for now).
It sounds ridiculous to look at writing from this kind of an approach, but that’s what NaPo is- a way to encourage yourself to write, even when inspiration doesn’t strike you at every corner. Should every NaPo poem be a masterpiece? Absolutely not! The point is to try your best each day, and see what happens. At the end of the month, you have 30 poems (some better than others) to revise and shape into something you’re truly proud of. NaPo is a breeding ground for good writing that you help shape into great writing.
2) NaPoWriMo is a contact sport.
Join a forum! There are plenty of poetry forums participating in NaPoWriMo right now, and it’s a great way to not only keep track of your work, but also push yourself to keep going even when things get difficult. It’s okay if you fall behind a few days- just get back on the horse! Joining a group of NaPoWriMo participants will keep you motivated by getting feedback (fluffy, happy, kind feedback) from writers going through the same thing, and giving it in return.
3) Get help!
While waiting for the perfect inspiration may work for some people, sometimes you need to seek it out. Look through novels, poems, or even photo galleries to find something to write about. NaPo has taught me one thing when it comes to writer’s block: there is no such thing as writer’s block, just writer’s laze. Think of writing is a muscle- the more you use it, the easier it becomes to keep doing so.
NaPoWriMo is also the perfect time to experiment! If you love a certain poet’s writing style, try emulating it. Some people find a specific list of prompts that they stick to for the whole month, and some try a different poetic form each day such as sonnets, terza rima, sestinas, or freeverse.
Want a personal coach?
This month you can find me (Merissa) on the 1889 Labs facebook page, for all your writing coach needs! You can also check out my personal NaPo journey on the EveryPoet.org NaPoWriMo 2013 thread. If you’re looking to participate, make a thread with your first poem before midnight tonight. If you miss the deadline- no worries! There are plenty of ways you can still participate and join the community.