Empowered Beginnings

Write beautiful poetry without the intimidation.  

Always wanted to write poetry but don't know where to start?

Maybe you wrote once, then gave up?

Now is the time to step into the role of the empowered poet and feel inspired by your own words.

This course is specifically designed for you to connect with your creativity in a way that feels empowering, authentic, and joyful.

What is the difference between lines on a page, and an actual poem? It's the poetic devices, form and flow. It's the emotional resonance and tweaks in editing that will take your work from words on a page to a publishable poem.

Empowered Beginnings teaches you the full craft of poetry, from inspiration to polished poem.

Whether you're drawn to poetry because you have something to say, or simply because you love what words can do, you'll find your place here.

This is for you. 

This course is for those who 

• Wrote poetry at school, felt like you were doing it wrong, and just stopped.
• Have a notebook full of half-finished ideas that don't quite feel like poems... yet.
• Love words. The way they sound, the way they sit together, the way the right one can stop you in your tracks.
• Read a poem that moved you and thought I want to make something like that, but had no idea where to begin.
• Are curious about poetic forms, devices and structure but every time you've tried to learn about them it's felt academic and joyless.
• Want to write poems that genuinely sound like you not like an imitation of someone else.
• Are ready to stop waiting until you feel "ready" and just begin.

Sound familiar? Welcome, you're exactly who this course was made for.

What to expect

Let's get specific

Empowered Beginnings is structured into seven engaging online modules, covering:

Who's afraid of poetry?

Explore, let go and embrace your new life as an empowered poet. 

Understand what contributes to your poetry writing, including past and current influences, let go of any creative beliefs that do not serve you, and begin a first draft of a brand new poem.

 Finding Inspiration

Connect to ideas that authentically align with what inspires you through a range of crafted activities, including the process of 'heartstorming' and connecting with writing prompts to increase your chance of poetry publication.

Write at least six empowered first drafts ready to edit in the later modules.

Poetic Devices

Did you learn about poetic devices at school? Did it intimidate you?

Well, forget that because we are empowered poets here. Prepare to connect with poetic devices in a new way.

Poetry isn't just about feeling, it's about playing with language until something magical happens.

Form

Get inquisitive and try some new poetic forms - I dare you!

 Learn about the most common poetic forms and get curious using them in your own work.

You'll write new drafts and edit previously written ones. 

Structure

Learn about how stanzas and lines work within poetry. 

Push your creativity, edit your own poems and learn the techniques to shape your work.

You'll write at least two new poems to consolidate your learnings so far.

Editing

Never trust a first draft - a little (or big) edit will always improve your poem.

This module will consolidate what you've learnt so far and provide you with new editing skills.

You'll edit at least three of your poems in specific ways to experiment with the editing process.

Keep Going

Determine how to make the most of your learning by establishing a regular writing routine aligned with your lifestyle and goals.

Learn tips on how to make the most of your new poetic life.

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course you will have...

✔ Written and edited at least 15 new poems
✔ Explored poetic devices, such as symbolism, metaphor and onomatopoeia and determined which devices work best for each of your poems
✔ Tried different poetic forms and structures
✔ Developed editing techniques that refine your work while maintaining its authenticity
✔ Found inspiration effortlessly with intuitive techniques (and know how to continue to be inspired)
✔ Overcome intimidation & found your poetic voice 
✔ Established an ongoing writing practice that is aligned to your life.

The course includes video lessons, a comprehensive workbook, and guided exercises that encourage exploration and creativity.

Scroll down for a detailed analysis of each module. 

Sample part of Module One

View this abridged sample from module one, where Melissa talks about traditional ways of learning about poetry, and how this course is different.

I know what it's like to feel intimidated by poetry

As a teenager, all I wanted to do was write - poetry, fiction, non-fiction. I worked as hard as I could to getaccepted into the Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, which at the time was a prestigious course. But, as I describe in the video,  during my study, and after graduation I didn't write poetry for years.

Intimidated by the ‘masters’ and daunted by the ‘indie’ poets, I was convinced that I would never be able to write as beautifully or as passionately as them. I kept these (incorrect) feelings of inadequacy in my heart as I created this course because, although I have moved past that chapter in my writing career, I know that many new writers still face confidence challenges. 

 My heartfelt intention is to empower new writers with a spirit of courage and determination to create work that is authentic to them. I wish to demonstrate ease and flow, rather than advance ideas of exclusivity within the poetry community.  

Melissa

About your tutor

Dr Melissa Watts has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (creative writing & literary studies) from the University of Melbourne (2004) and a PhD in creative writing & history from Federation University (2023).

Melissa Watts has published poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Her poems have inspired other artists to craft bronze statues and compose piano performances for audiences in New York.

She has published a collection of free-verse and structured poetry exploring the relationship between people and place. In Small Towns (2022) Melissa shines a light on the unsaid. She picks the scab of small-town tensions, then unflinchingly aims her bow at social injustice, tipping her hat to the feminist poets who have come before her.

Melissa is currently exploring pathways to publication for her novel depicting the lives of female cartographers in World War Two. 

She has hosted keynotes at Melbourne Writers Festival interviewing British author M.J. Hyland and Ballarat Writers Festival interviewing YA icon Maureen McCarthy. She has spoken at Clunes Booktown and maintained monthly radio programs interviewing authors such as Paddy O’Reilly, Graeme Simsion, Toni Jordan and Angela Savage. Melissa spent several years as the publicity officer for Ballarat Writers working on large literary projects including festivals and competitions. Melissa was the 2024 judge of the Martha Richardson Poetry Prize.

When not writing Melissa has worked in instructional design and online learner engagement strategy for some of Australia’s largest corporations.

This course is for you if you want to 

✔ start writing poetry confidently with poetic devices, poetic form & structure 
✔ Avoid overwhelming academic jargon
✔ Know exactly how to edit your poems to sound like you
✔ Generate ideas and inspiration effortlessly 
✔ Establish an ongoing writing practice that empowers you
✔ Connect with the poems that you already love and gain a deeper understanding of poetry
✔ Go deeper with activities that stoke your curiosity.

Learning Module Details

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