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There is no magic formula for writing poetry on Helium. The basics apply on Helium, just as they apply to any other poetry writing site. You'll want to use good grammar, inventive and imaginative descriptions and a certain amount of rhythm. You poetry should contain all these things no matter what outlet you're using for your words.

There are a few differences in how poetry is rated, though. While you're writing don't worry about it. Just write the best poem you're capable of.

Grammar-

Unless your poem's narrator uses bad grammar and you can convey it in the right way, stick with good grammar. Poetry should be just as perfect, grammar-wise, as anything else you'd post on Helium.

Imagery-

Good poetry, no matter where it's published, should contain imagery. Try to say old things in new ways. Use highly descriptive words to get across all five sense. You want a person to step inside your poem and be able to feel they are walking through it with you.

Rhyme and Rhythm-

Even free verse should have a beat. Good rhyming poetry should make use of meter. Meter is more than counting syllables. It's a matter of how words are stressed. So if you decide to write in rhyme, it's best to use meter. In free verse try to find your natural rhythm.

Punctuation-

This is a tricky bit. New poets often want to drop punctuation and capital lettering in the style of dear old e. e. Cummings. It can be done and done well but remember, on Helium, it might not rate well. If you learn to break lines at just the right point, you can get away with no punctuation but learn how to punctuate, too.

Diary Entry Poetry-

Sometimes, knowing what's for you and what's for public consumption is a little difficult. Don't post poems that are all about you. Good poetry should be about what the readers get from it, rather than what the writer gets out of it. Poetry as therapy is a fine thing and everyone, at one point or another, uses all forms of writing as therapy but try to think about whether or not your poem is too personal to post before you hit that publish button.

Differences on Helium-

The vast majority of writers on Helium are not poets. There is a wide variety of people writing on Helium but a lot of them do not like poetry and do not write poetry. So, sometimes, your lovely free verse poem, that's letter perfect, doesn't rate high. Most people who are not very familiar with poetry think it has to rhyme and if it doesn't, it might get rated down. So don't sweat it too hard if you're poem, which you know is a good one, isn't rated high.

Best Practice-

The best thing you can do is make your poem the very best it can be. Write, re-write, re-think and re-write again before putting your poems out there. Don't post the first, rough draft of a poem. Let it sit and rest for a little while before you put it on the site. Look at it with fresh eyes a few days after you purge it and decide if it's really up for public consumption. Have a trusted friend who knows and understands poetry take a peek, too.

Above All-

Don't stop writing because your poems are not rated high on the site. Take a look at some titles. They have hundreds of poems in them. Know going in you have stiff competition in sheer numbers. But never stop trying to improve your work. Don't get discouraged. No matter what, just keep on keeping on.

Learn more about this author, Kat Apf.
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