Welcome, my fellow poets and writers! Today, we’re going to talk about the power of collaboration and how working in writing groups can help spark creativity and polish our poems to perfection. 🥳

As a poet, I know that writing can be a solitary activity. However, being part of a writing group can be incredibly beneficial, especially when it comes to refining our craft. Here are some poetry exercises that you can do with your writing group to maximize your creative potential:

1. Blind Collaboration 🔍👥

Blind collaboration is where each writer starts an unfinished poem and passes it along to the next writer for them to complete. This can be done in rounds, where each writer adds a stanza, or in a free-flowing manner where everyone contributes to the same poem. The end result can be a delightful surprise and a manifestation of collective creativity. 🤯

A group of people sitting around a table, passing around pieces of paper with writing on them

2. Found Poems 📰🖋️

Found poems involve taking snippets of writing from other sources such as books, newspapers, and magazines, and constructing them into a new poem. You can choose a theme or let the randomness of the source material guide you. This exercise is not only fun but can be an excellent way to practice editing skills and reimagining words in new contexts. 🧐

A stack of newspapers and books with a pen and notebook

3. Poetry Mixtape 🎵📼

This exercise allows you to tap into the rhythm and musicality of poetry. Each writer selects a song and listens to it, then writes a poem inspired by the mood, melody, or lyrics of the song. When everyone is done, each writer reads their poem while playing their respective song, creating a poetry mixtape. This exercise can be a great way to explore different styles and genres while having fun. 🎶

A cassette tape with a pen and notebook

4. Ekphrastic Poetry 🎨📜

Ekphrastic poetry involves writing poems inspired by visual art such as paintings, sculptures, or photographs. This exercise can help sharpen your descriptive writing and sensory details. You can visit a gallery or museum as a group or choose an image to work from online. Each writer can write their own poem, or the group can work collaboratively on one poem inspired by the artwork. 🖼️

An art museum with a pen and notebook

5. Poetic Dialogue 💬🗣️

Poetic dialogue is where two or more writers create a conversation in verse. This exercise can be an excellent way to develop characters, explore themes and emotions, and play with form and structure. Each writer can be assigned a character, or you can work in pairs. However, you choose to do it, the goal is to create a dynamic and engaging conversation through poetry. 💭

Two people sitting across from each other, engaged in conversation, with a pen and notebook

That’s it! These are just a few exercises to get started. The most important thing is to approach each exercise with curiosity, playfulness, and an open mind. Collaborating with others can be intimidating, but remember, we are all here to learn and grow as writers. So, let’s get creative and have some fun! 🤗

A group of people gathered together, holding pens and notebooks, smiling at each other