How can I improve my writting?...HELP!!

Latelty I've realized that my poetry needs something more than just simple rhymes and meaningless words. Things don't always have to be personal and beautiful, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what else to do!! I really need some help/tips on how to take my writting up to the next level. I want to take this seriously and get somewhere with it; make use of my writing abilities. If anyone has any tips, I'd LOVE to hear them. Thanks alot!
Rachel

I was exactly the same. All my poems were like that at the very beginning, but then, i started branching out to the different formats of poetry which not only made my vocab better but my wording (If that makes sense)

So i challenge you to write a 'Terza Rima'. (Find the definition on google, lol) and show us what you can do
*Gem*

I understand what you mean. Last year all my poetry was just... bland. I hated it.
But this year I just sorta... I dunno. I stopped writing to impress, and just started slamming words down onto a page. Just whatever came to mind, until I decided I was done. Later, I realize what it's actually about.
It just sort of works for me.

I suggest nixing the rhyming pattern for a bit.
Here's a good way[[for me.]]:
Grap paper.
Grab a pencil.
Sit down[[or lie down, stand! Whee!]].
Start scribbling some random words, or thoughts.
Whatever pops into your head.
Let your mind wander,
and just keep going.

Eventually, you'll get to a point where you'll be like, "Yeah, this is cool." Or you'll realize something you'd love to write about.
When you're done, read through it, cross out things you dislike, and organize it into a poetry format.
give it a title, and call it done. Then just post it somewhere. Or call it not done and post it anyways.

That's how I work.
If you don't like your poetry, I can garauntee no one else will either. Oh, and it doesn't matter if people don't understand it. If you like it, or if you get it, than it's awesome in my book.

Hope that helps!

..."No tears for the writer, no tears for the reader."
--Robert Frost

Greetings,
Not sure if this will help (there are so many topics on 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 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 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. So hopefully there is something here for everyone. Worth sifting through(I hope). I would also appreciate any comments-whether opinions or advice (personal or technical), your own personal writing habits, etc.

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

Peace, Poetry, & Power,

Gary Jurechka

May I remind you how to spell... Writing, not Writting. Knowing how to spell will improve your writing greatly =]