10 actions
for beginner poets to improve their workÂ
FREE WORKBOOK
Take the next step towards your poetry dreamsÂ
Sometimes all it takes is a few small tweaks.
Remove intimidation from the writing process and begin your empowered journey with our practical advice.
Learn about:
- sorting out the basics,
- making your reading list work for you,
- how to work with first drafts,
- which poetic devices you should know (without the academic jargon)
- how to use poetic form to your advantage
- an editing checklist with useful techniques to lift your work,
and more.
Your voice matters
You don’t need a degree to write powerful poetry. You don't need to have read the classics
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This guide was designed to give you real, actionable ways to grow your confidence and your craft, no matter where you’re starting from.
I created 10 Actions Beginner Poets Need to Take to Improve Their Work for w riters who want to improve their work, without the overwhelm.
Inside you’ll get:
🔥 10 clear activities to improve your work
🔥 An introductory framework for drafting and editing
🔥 New poems written
🔥 A plan to keep going
🔥 No academic jargon. No overwhelm.
Whether you're returning to poetry or just starting out, this guide is here to help you feel empowered, not intimidated.
I’ve created this based on my experience as a poet and my experience as a creative writing teacher working with new poets.
If you’re looking to ignite your creativity and improve your poetry, without the overwhelm of an academic-styled resource then you’ll love this workbook.
Learn the 10Â actions for beginner poets
Download our free workbook loaded with tips and practical activities to improve your poetry.
By downloading this guide you are joining our email community. The emails are sporadic (we are too busy working on our poems and you should be too). Unsubscribe at any time.
Writing poetry can be intimidating.Â
I know because I stopped writing poetry for a decade. I was intimidated and decided to focus on the theory instead.
The actions I've included in this guide stem from what I've learned on my journey from a deflated poet to published poet with a PhD.
I learned the hard way and I don't want you to.
This workbook is designed to remove intimidation from the poetry writing process and replace it with a sense of empowerment.
It is not an AI generated checklist - it's full of activities, including drafting and editing new work. The activities I use in my classes.
I hope you enjoy working through the activities as much as I enjoyed creating it.
From my pen to yours,
Melissa
Learn the 10Â actions for beginner poets
Download our free workbook loaded with tips and practical activities to improve your poetry.
By downloading this guide you are joining our email community. The emails are sporadic (we are too busy working on our poems and you should be too). Unsubscribe at any time.
About Melissa
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.Â
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.
When not writing Melissa has worked in instructional design and online learner engagement strategy for some of Australia’s largest corporations.
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Melissa was the 2024 judge of the Martha Richardson Poetry Prize.
Learn the 10Â actions for beginner poets
Download our free workbook loaded with tips and practical activities to improve your poetry.
By downloading this guide you are joining our email community. The emails are sporadic (we are too busy working on our poems and you should be too). Unsubscribe at any time.
Nine Cups Writing
For writers.
And those not calling themselves writers... yet.
