HOW I WRITE POETRY | inspiration, creative process, editing tips, writer's block and more!

[@musicsavedme20]

great advice. Also- can we get into this hair? Love it!

[@ebonykenae]

thank you!! 🫶🏽

[@kiranreader]

omg! i had no idea you were a poet!! so great to hear more about your process! and your inspiration from childhood, can't wait to see more of your work :)

[@ebonykenae]

thank you so much kiran!! i really want to start sharing more about my process on here so i appreciate this

[@martellc1008]

I am coming back to this video after being blocked from writing poetry, accepting that I want to be a speculative & confessional poet hybrid. I want to just have faith that I can become the poet that I want to be as a career that I want to be and able to do full time.

[@keithgilchrist403]

amazing video with some great advice for new and upcoming poets!!

[@ebonykenae]

thank you!!

[@cindyr4918]

Thank you for this advice; I loved your poem “Starcrossed”❤ I would love to hear about your writing routine if you get the chance - I hear a lot of novelists talk about their routines, but rarely poets. Also, your braids are lovely :)

[@ebonykenae]

thank you so much!! i can most definitely do a writing routine vlog.

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

Thank you so much for this video. I am really interested in more videos from you on the writing life/process. I think Shadow Work is brilliant!

[@ebonykenae]

thank you! i’m actually uploading a video now in which i talk about my writing life!

[@martellc1008]

Rewatching after a while and it’s so inspiring and practical, thank you ❤🤝🏿 I am excited to write that poem in conversation with yours and even more your truly been my inspiration and your work is so indescribably awesome, brilliant ❤

[@ebonykenae]

if you wrote it, i would love to see it!

[@martellc1008]

@ I would love too, was waiting for permission. We writing related lol but very different. When I read the most recent & older poems you wrote, and the essay on memory on Substack I felt like I was lifted & challenged but light. I felt understood & like called to the muse 🤓😌 Any tips on publishing poetry, maybe a video idea ? I am a huge fan of you as poet, & general supporter coming across is what helped push me to write poetry after wanting to be a poet, & I’ve been knowing & creative writing since I was very, very young ❤️😭🫶🏿 Thank you, queen 🫡🙌🏿

[@abidmajgaonkar3328]

Please make a video on course recommendations for beginners. 😊

[@wakifmoussaabdouwakifmouss9289]

I really want to start writing a poetry but am still don't know where to start ! Any advice to me ?

[@ebonykenae]

Begin with what themes you are naturally drawn to, and try to use descriptive language to paint imagery in the reader’s eye!

[@rievans57]

Good info. Do feel that poetry has been taken over by academia? If you don't have a PhD, MFA or teaching credential you probably won't be recognized by publications, organizations, or contest for this reason? I ask because I have been trying to get my manuscript published for years and this is the impression I have gotten.

[@ebonykenae]

i have mixed feelings about this! there are quite a few poets who do not have MFAs that are achieving that type of success, but i think those with academic backgrounds have a slight advantage of maybe having connections than those who don’t.

[@rievans57]

@@ebonykenae Whenever I submit my poems and don't get recognized I pay attention to those who do and find this pattern of academic ties. I have been going to workshops and hanging out with other poets to keep the fire lit. Thank you sweet lady. I liked the poem "Star-Crossed" that you shared. I will follow you. Be safe and be blessed.

[@ebonykenae]

@@rievans57 thank you so much!! i agree, a portion is all about who you know. i appreciate your support!

[@the-comments-poet]

The poet “ Yesterday I died ” he will say Beware the poet for he is an imposter He tells of the beauty of falling snow Born of mythical skies long ago Haunting accounts your soul to foster He tells of love broken and reforged Vows and passions penned in red Beckoning surrender to his tread Know it is your blood drawn on his sword Beware, the tears he shed belong to you He lives of pain, sorrow and lessons learnt No thoughts of salvation left unburnt Until your self surrenders all due Yesterday a poet took the life I knew For a snowflake upon my window flew Yesterday I died And was born anew

[@SanjaySaini-bg2iu]

Awesome

[@mizzyboymike]

Do you have a book?

[@ebonykenae]

not currently but i definitely plan to publish one sooner than later

[@sermin1887]

🤍

[@africancelebrities7472]

Please evaluate for me my second poem Lust Helplessly I cared only to look at a wonder A mere event has translated into a stir Granting me a more diverse sight of capturing yonder and a clue of how you’re not limited in what to prefer What character have lust? to sustain a posture eternal? Rather they come and are fast gone like a smokeless burn A dead fragrance just inaccessible from residents internal And also not at anytime at all looking forward to return

[@Norman834]

Shadow Work is really beautiful 🩵

[@ebonykenae]

thank you so much! 🫶🏽

[@NatashaLeecole]

I’m glad poetry is getting more recognition again🤍 I love your poem star crossed, ✨ I’m trying to get back into writing in notebooks and journals, it just became a habit to write in notes on the phone because of the quick easy access.

[@ebonykenae]

thank you so much!! i’m glad poetry is getting more recognition too. writing in your notes app is totally fine too, i usually switch between a notebook (intentional writing time) vs my notes app (if i’m out and about and want to capture i thought i just write it in my notes app).