The National Poetry Month Challenge is Coming!

Hello again. It's nearly April. Most years, April is half over before I can fully accept it. This year, perhaps because now one of my sons has a birthday in April, I'm acutely aware that it is a matter of days away.

March has dredged on forever. I've spent years in just this one March.

Regardless -- April is upon us, which means, National Poetry Month is upon us. . .

Which means, National Poetry Month Challenge is only 2 days away!

via GIPHY


I've been doing this challenge since 2011. It's a creative blast, even when I don't meet my goal; In 2014 I basically didn't do it, and in 2016 I was still twiddling away at 30 poems in July (Hey, I gave birth so. . . I'm giving myself a break on that one). But it is always amazing when I do reach the goal. I've even written poems about it  😀.

This year is going to be a good year. I can feel it.

And, as always, I want you to do it too. 

Why? Because it is rewarding. It will open you up in unexpected ways. Well, for all these reasons that I explained after successfully completing the first challenge in 2011.
It will also change the way you look at poetry, writing, and the world around you.
No cash prizes. No publishing deal. Just good old fashioned accomplishment, experience, satisfaction, and camaraderie (if my participants actually share with each other).



The Rules:

1. Anyone can participate. You don't need to be a poet. In fact, if you don't consider yourself a poet, you'll likely get the most out of this challenge. 
2. Write a poem for every day in April. The goal is one a day, but whatever your schedule, try to have 30 poems done by April 30th at midnight. Any length or style you like.
3. Leave them mostly unedited. As you write them you can fiddle with lines or change words. Or if you write them on paper and then post them later, small changes are fine -- but don't do serious rewrites -- at least not yet.
4. Share them. Yes, share your unedited, unworkshopped, possibly beginner poetry with the world, and if not the world, then someone. Anyone. Your friend, your neighbor, your cat. It's important to voice those words, share those raw ideas, and it is a good reminder that this challenge is about creation and exploration, not perfection or getting published.
5. If you share on social media use hastag #nationalpoetrychallenge.

I reach these goals by writing the poems in my blog and posting them publicly immediately after, tweeting and facebooking the link. If I fall a day or several behind, I write more than one in one sitting.

I'll be posting my poems, my thoughts, tips, and even prompts, if you want to follow along, but you're more than welcome to just do whatever the hec you want. I find that works best.

If you choose to share your poems via social media, please use #nationalpoetrychallenge so we can find each other! It took me a few years to find a # that wasn't already taken (my apologies again to the nonprofits using NPMC!)

You've got 2 days to talk yourself into it.
Get to it.