Ten Days to a Publishable Poem

This list is just my basic suggestions that may lead to success for writers seeking to craft a publishable poem.

• DAY ONE
  
  Write an initial draft. Read it a few times. Make any minor adjustments to your poem that grab your attention at this point. Walk away from it. Consider it a work-in-progress.
  

  
  

• DAY TWO
  
  Go back to your poem the next day and read it aloud. Read it again and listen to your words closely. See what doesn´t sound right or needs corrected now. Make these changes.
  

  
  

• DAY THREE
  
  Read your poem to yourself and then read it to someone else (whose opinion you value). Consider their comments. Edit your work again.
  

  
  

• DAY FOUR
  
  Give your poem to someone else to read. This time you may want to choose a friend or family member, who knows something about literature and is not afraid to be honest with you. Weigh their words of praise and/or criticism. Re-write your work with a focus on their feedback.
  

  
  

• DAY FIVE
  
  Read some of the poems in literary journals that you´re planning to submit your poetry to for publication. What made these poems good or bad in your opinion? How were they different from or similar to your work? What made these poems appropriate for this particular publication? Answer these questions and jot down your thoughts.
  

  
  

• DAY SIX
  
  Look over the notes you made about the positive and negative aspects of the other poems you´ve read. Read your poem a few times and make notes about it. Make any revisions you feel are required at this point.
  

  
  

• DAY SEVEN
  
  Read your poem to yourself several times. Try to think of this as the last chance to edit your work. Make your changes.
  

  
  

• DAY EIGHT
  
  Read your initial draft. Read the work and note any changes you´ve made in the last seven days. Re-write again. When you´re satisfied with this "semi-final" edition, share it with several friends or family members, whose opinion you respect.
  

  
  

• DAY NINE
  
  Consider the feedback you received yesterday. Read your poem again. Choose to re-write or choose to let it be.
  

  
  

• DAY TEN
  
  Read your poem one last time. Unless you suddenly see some glaring imperfections that you didn´t see before, print a copy of your work. Read your poem as it appears on the page as opposed to your computer. If you have no nagging doubts about problems that have plagued you or quirks that you can´t seem to get past as you read your work this time.
  

BE BRAVE! Submit it to several publications today!