Question

What did the experience of writing poetry teach you about yourself as a writer? What are your strengths? What can you try to improve in the future? Did it teach you anything about yourself as a person? In my own words

Answer 1

Writing poetry taught me that I care more about observing and feeling than I thought I did. Putting an image or an emotion into a line forces me to slow down and notice details I’d otherwise miss. It also showed me that I have a distinct voice when I let myself be honest and unedited at first — my natural rhythms, favorite images, and the kinds of metaphors I return to reveal themselves quickly once I start writing.

My strengths as a writer are:
- An eye for detail and concrete images that make abstract feelings feel real.
- A good ear for sound and rhythm; I notice when lines sing or stumble.
- Willingness to be vulnerable and take risks with emotion and perspective.
- Curiosity and a steady patience for revision once a poem shows promise.

Things I can try to improve:
- Be more ruthless in editing — cutting what’s pretty but unnecessary, tightening language.
- Learn more about form and technique (meter, line breaks, enjambment) so I can use them intentionally.
- Read more widely and deliberately — both contemporary poets and the classics — to expand my toolbox.
- Share work more often and get feedback, instead of hiding poems until I think they’re “done.”
- Build a routine: short daily writing time or a notebook habit to capture moments before they pass.

As a person, writing poetry taught me to be kinder to myself and braver with my feelings. It made me more patient with the messy parts of thinking and grieving, and it helped me practice empathy by putting myself in different voices and perspectives. Finally, it showed me that small, consistent efforts (a few lines here and there) add up to real growth, which applies to other parts of my life too.