creativity
74 CalmMoment.com
1
CAPTURE YOUR GOLD
Whether you deeply believe it or not, you are
creative and it’s something that can be nurtured.
Keeping a pocket-sized journal to note interesting
thoughts, observations and intriguing phrases will help
you to connect with your creative side.2
KEEP A JUXTAPOSITION BANK
Try keeping a ‘word bank’ at the end of each
journal, with words and phrases that sound striking
in some way. I love: lollygag, day raw, monochrome,
jabbering, juju, poppycock. In some cases, pairing an
interesting-sounding word with an ordinary object can
feel pleasing: disemboweled motorbike. You can call
upon these for inspiration when you need them.3
FIND A TOPIC
Find a theme or starting point by asking yourself
a few questions: What frightens you? What delights
you? What intrigues you? What do you appreciate
about who you are, and others? What do you feel most
passionate about? What makes you cry?4
DROP PERFECTIONISM
Forget about writing a poem. Forget that it has
to look or sound a certain way. Write like nobody’s
watching. Write the same way that you speak. Don’t
use expensive words you wouldn’t usually use. If you’re
being you, your inner gold will shine through.5
OIL YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS
Try some ‘free writing’. Write for five minutes
without stopping. Write anything and everything that
comes into your head. First thing in the morning just
after you’ve woken is ideal. Next, read it back and look
for the rubies within the rubble. You might even find a
poem, after some editing.6
LISTEN TO YOUR DREAMS
Our dreams, and nightmares, are designed to tell
us things. Start listening to yours. Keep a dream diary
by your bed and note any interesting insights. The
more you can do this, the more you will start regularly
remembering your dreams, and the inspiring or
interesting content that comes with them.Getting started
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TACKLE TRICKY SUBJECTS
Use your challenges to find good ideas. However,
if you’re writing about difficult stuff that begins to feel
overwhelming, try focusing on the feelings surrounding
the incident or create a safe distance between your
feelings and your writing. Instead of directly writing
about a traumatic event or feeling, use a different
pronoun, or project your feelings onto something else.8
FIND YOUR FORM
Don’t worry about form to begin with, but if and
when you get into writing poetry, it's a good thing to
explore. Ask yourself, what appeals to me? A sonnet,
free verse, haiku, list poem, sestina, villanelle? Find
excellent guides on form (£3) at mslexia.co.uk9
BE INSPIRED BY...
Good poems are the best teachers. Try emulating
the same shape and structure of a poem you love.
My first published poem was inspired by Charles
Bukowski's Bluebird – I chose a jackdaw, and instead of
writing about the beauty of the hidden self, I wrote about
a slightly darker and mischievous inner force trying to
escape. If you take a famous poem and borrow its
form or ideas, always give credit: my poem is called
Jackdaw ~ after Charles Bukowski's Bluebird.Want to write but not sure how to
begin? Try Leah’s top tips...Leah Larwood
Leah is a freelance writer, poet
and trainee hypnotherapist. She's
currently writing her debut poetry
collection, and in 2020 she will be
launching a series of workshops
linked to dreams and poetry therapy.
Read her award-winning lifestyle
blog at rootsandtoots.com