how can i become a better writter?

how did you guys become better writters apart from practice heaps...did you read books or what...i need to try to get better at my writting i practice heaps but nothing goes right so please help

I used to read alot, well more than the average person I guess, but that doesn't mean I read books advanced for my age. At times I did that but then again at times I loved the simple words of a story.

I wrote a lot I guess. When I as younger I went from liking to read to hating it. Ironically while I hated reading, that is when I decided I loved writing and words. Eventually I went back to reading.

Don't let opinions effect your writing negatively. Let it be a building block.

I just let my emotions run free.
I listen to country music too, it helps me get inspired

Check out www.cmt.com, some great videos and songs on there

I take walks in the park or through the town and make notes on what I see.

There is a alot of things i get inspired by.
Try out different styles, and dont be afraid to make mistakes

love Tara-Kay

thanks for your feed back guys...but what if i dont read much and dont enjoy it i only enjoy books on surfing

^^^ Awesome advice! Couldn't have said it better myself...

i used to read alot, but now i mostly listen to my ipod, and sit outside in the sun and sleep and stuff like that, so i can really listen to what's in my soul
luv gabriella
P.S i don't just write poetry, i also write like stories and stuff! most adults don't like my stuff, cause they think i am to young, (only 13)

I dont write poems alot of the times i just do it for something to do n kill time i dont think they are good but when i show people wat i write they say they are good really good..lol.anyways I became a better writter by just relaxing n just say whats on my mind and in my heart whatever motivates me i just write n when i read them myself i say to myself wow did i write that.. i sometimes amaze myself with what i write

If you have some friends that write as well, talk them a lot. Read their poems, let them read yours and you can get a lot of constructive critisism that way. Eventualy you'll learn what flows and what doesn't

im not a great writer im not the best of poets i dont even clasify me as one but i do love the art of poems and i write one almost everyday at everything i look at, i see a person feeling down i write a poem about that i feel something deep down i describe what eats me alive, when i write a poem i just write words down and it seems to rhyme which is just my luck but i do at times feel u have to find a way of ur own style every1 has different ways i dont read that much i kinda hate it, but that is how some ppl expand there knowledge for me i expan my heart and for me thats where all my poetry comes out from

Greetings,
Not sure if this will help, but I had posted a topic entitled NOTES ON WRITING POETRY(there are so many topics on the subjects included-individual topics posted elsewhere, but I believe this is the most broad and inclusive) it's quite lengthy but it covers a variety of topics and has valuable input from many P&Q members. It is not meant to tell you how to write, but to be a place of reference/help/advice to others-a place where many of the questions put forth repeatedly in these forumns is addressed, mainly to offer suggestions on writer's block (tips/exercises on things to break it. Inspiration, ideas, etc.), exercises to spur creativity (whether form, style, type of poem, content, etc.-just some stuff to try when blocked or to try something different), various poetic terms/definitions, a variety of basic stuff and technical stuff, submissions and poetry markets (where/how to submit your work) and perhaps some stuff to improve/expand your writing/poetry and understanding. Unfortunately the thread was locked due to it's length, but it still can be read/accessed under the WRITING POETRY forumn entitled NOTES ON WRITING POETRY or at

http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/discussion/topic.html?topic_id=56674.

I had received many favorable messages/comments on this thread and many requests to start a new thread as a continuation on the things/idea of the NOTES ON WRITING POETRY topic (check out the original Notes On Writing Poetry (at the link given above) for an idea of what type of things others and I posted), so I did respond and start a continuation of that thread.
The new thread is called NOTES ON WRITING POETRY-Part II and can be found in the WRITING POETRY forumn and is at

http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/discussion/topic.html?topic_id=86274

I am asking all members contribute and post things that could benefit others. Including such things as advice on certain forms, articles, tips on breaking writer's block, recommended reading,the links to sites that contain information, exercises, poetry terms, forms and their defintions, etc. basically anything pertaining to poetry writing. Also your personal writing habits (I've found people like to read about not only advice/suggestions but also the personal writing/working habits of different writers), like what time of day you write, do you have a favorite place (inside or outside, even more specific), do you listen to music while you write,when you first started writing, do you write rough drafts on the computer or with pen and paper, do you revise rough drafts or leave it as is, have you been published, what your influences are (other poets, writers, songwriters,teachers, etc.), is solitude necesary to you or not, what compels you to write, emotions, passion, to get an idea or meaning across, do you write for yourself or with someone in mind, how and when you started writing, writing as therapy or release, do you have a preferred form /style(sonnets, rhyme, free verse, haiku, etc.) and why, writing exercises, any other advice(personal or technical),if you could write any advice, as to why and how you write,when you started writing, what compels you, any specific methods and motivations, any personal methods, moods, habits and philosophies, advice to others,and other things I mentioned, and MAINLY what poetry means to you. Any advice to newcomers and established poets alike. I hope to hear/see postings from those popular and more experienced/knowledgable on the site as well as those newer members who have something to add. I welcome and appreciate any comments along these lines from any and all P&Q members-everyone has something to say. So if anyone can add anything at all along these lines, please do so.I hope to see a wide variety of age, countries, opinions, styles and opinions. Don't be shy. I feel any input/comments/advice/opinions would very much benefit others.

So hopefully there is something here for everyone. Worth reading through(I hope).
Even if you don't care to add to it, it is still worthwhile to read for all the information/advice/exercises/tips it has. I'm sure, given all the information plus the comments/contributions of esteemed P&Q members, that this thread has something to offer everyone, whether it is a specific question or just gaining knowledge. At least that is it's purpose. Though as I said, it is quite lengthy, but well worth sifting through.
Hope this helps.

Thank you for your time and support.

Peace, Poetry & Power,

Gary Jurechka

Be yourself .be want you are thats the answer

Hmm, I'm trying to become a better writter myself. What's helped me is yes definetely read but sometimes that isn't good enough. Sometimes you need to take time and sit,think of new ideas that you can feed off of and make into your own new word from a pen and paper. Most of all, learn new words. Learn how to describe things to a sensative eye, learn how to express a characters mood by a gesture or by a simple movement. For example:
The odd man stared at me perplexed, as if trying to solve a puzzle. "What are you?" his voice wisped out of his mouth in frightened gulps.

By just those two sentences you learn that the man is terrified of the perosn before him. Practice also helps, practice writing sentences. But yes reading helps your vocabulary grow larger, but this is just how I'm tried to become a better writer. The last thing to remember is grammer, people won't read things if it isn't written properly. Be yourself, write everything your mind can come up with. :)