Ten Rookie Errors Poets Make

Believing sycophants when they blow smoke up your ass.

     Stand downwind a while and see what else they say is shinola.

Thinking poetry uses some rare, difficult-to-master language.

   It does.  It's called "English".

Thinking great material automatically makes great poems.

      By this "reasoning" your local news anchor creates better poetry than Shakespeare.

Ellipses. 

      These are a source of suspense for novice poets and a source of mirth to everyone else.  More experienced poets abuse em dashes instead.

Thinking this poetry shit is easy.

        Actually, it is, if your standards remain as low as they are now.

Thinking writers don't need to know how to write.

       Seriously.  Give your head a shake.

Thinking clichés are shortcuts to meaning.

        They are shortcuts to an editor's trashcan.

Thinking abstractions like "soul", "spirit" or "love" have clear and deep meanings to readers.

       They don't.

Not drawing a conclusion from the lack of paparazzi on your lawn.

    Consider the possibility that the world isn't riveted by your navel.  Here's a plan:  Avoid first person pronouns for the next two years or until you find subjects more interesting than yourself.  Whichever comes first.

Reading fewer than 1,000 poems for every one you write

     Without which you can never hope to understand how boring it is to watch yet one more neophyte make the same errors as every previous newbie.  Over and over.  All the while thinking themselves unique.

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