The Problem with Mainstream Poetry on Medium, Substack and elsewhere.

Hi all

The Problem with Mainstream Poetry on Medium, Substack and elsewhere.

The majority of people who write poetry on these platforms would find it difficult to be taken seriously in proper poetry circles, and 99% would never make it as a professional poet.

There are many reasons for this, but it is possible to vastly improve your poetry writing by observing some basic rules. Many fiction writers successfully process good stories and content, and all achieve this by following some basic ground rules.

And it’s the same for writing poetry, but the rules here are different.

Here are just a few reasons why poets on these sites fail to publish pieces that are barely above the average, and these are basic faults, easily corrected.

Many poems found on Medium, Substack and many Poetry Forums lack structure, depth, and genuine emotional resonance. They often fall into one of two categories:

A. Disjointed Lists of Sentences

These poems are merely a collection of loosely related sentences or phrases, lacking cohesion and failing to convey a clear message or theme. They feel disorganized and lack the purposeful structure that distinguishes quality poetry.

B. Pretentious and Pseudo-Profound Phrases

Some poems attempt to sound deep and open to multiple interpretations, but in reality, they are often a jumble of vague, pretentious phrases that fail to connect with the reader on a meaningful level.

2. The Essentials of Successful Poetry

To create truly impactful and engaging poetry, several key elements must be present:

A. Direction: Start, Middle, and End

A successful poem should have a clear direction, with a discernible beginning, middle, and end. This structure helps guide the reader through the poem's journey and ensures a cohesive, purposeful narrative.

B. Fixed Theme

Every element of the poem's structure should support and reinforce a central, well-defined theme. This thematic focus prevents the poem from wandering aimlessly and ensures that each line contributes to the overall message.

C. Focused and On-Topic

Closely related to the fixed theme, a successful poem must remain focused and avoid veering off-topic or introducing tangential elements that detract from the core message.

D. Minimalism and Concision

Poetry often benefits from a minimalist approach, avoiding excessive wordiness or padding. Concise language and carefully chosen words can convey depth and complexity without unnecessary verbosity.

E. Ideal Length

While length can vary, a successful poem should typically consist of at least three stanzas but no more than seven. This range allows for sufficient development of the theme while maintaining the reader's interest and engagement.

In a future poetry course I will expand and explain these points, and other aspects of writing.

Remember, if you want me to read and appraise any of your poems on a one-to-one basis, just let me know, either in the Chat section or by email.