How Poetry Circles Can Help You Improve Your Writing Skills, Connect with Others, and Feel More Confident

The Power of Poetry Circles

Poetry circles (and writing circles) are a powerful force for uniting people through words. They provide a shared space for people to express themselves, connect with others who share their love of writing, and share their stories and experiences. Poetry circles have been used to unite people in a variety of settings, including schools, prisons, and communities affected by conflict.

In this article, I will discuss the importance of poetry circles and how they have impacted certain social groups for the better. I will also explain that I host a relaxed writing group free of charge and that everybody is welcome to join.

The Benefits of Poetry Circles

There are many benefits to participating in a poetry circle. These include:

• Increased creativity: Poetry circles can help people to tap into their creativity and to express themselves in new and innovative ways.
• Improved communication skills: Poetry circles can help people to improve their communication skills, both written and verbal. They can also help people to learn how to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Enhanced empathy: Poetry circles can help people to develop empathy for others. This is because writing often deals with human emotions and experiences.
• Increased sense of community: Poetry circles can help people to feel a sense of belonging and community. This is because they provide a space for people to connect with others who share their interests.

How Poetry Circles Have Impacted Social Groups

Poetry circles have been used to unite people in a variety of settings. For example, poetry circles have been used:

• In schools to help students build community and develop their literacy skills.
• In prisons to help inmates express themselves and connect with others.
• In communities affected by conflict to promote healing and reconciliation.

A study published in the journal “Poetry Therapy” found that poetry circles can be an effective way to promote social inclusion for people with mental health problems. The study found that participants in the poetry circles reported feeling less isolated and more connected to others. They also reported feeling more confident in their ability to express themselves.

My Writing Group

I host a relaxed writing group free of charge. The group is open to everyone, regardless of their level of experience. The group uses WhatsApp to stay connected and uses Google Docs to share work. We encourage members to offer editorial suggestions and praise.

The group has been running for over a year and has helped many people to improve their writing skills, connect with other writers, and feel more confident in their work. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact me directly.

Conclusion

Poetry circles are a powerful force for uniting people through words. They provide a shared space for people to express themselves, connect with others who share their love of writing, and share their stories and experiences. Poetry circles have been used to unite people in a variety of settings, and they have been shown to be an effective way to promote social inclusion.

If you are interested in joining a poetry circle, I encourage you to do so. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it and how much you can learn from it.

References

• Mazza, N. (2003). Poetry therapy: Theory and practice. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
• Scherlong, N. S., & Santner, L. (2019). Group poetry and writing therapy with adolescents. In C. Haen & N. B. Webb (Eds.), Creative arts-based group therapy with adolescents: Theory and practice (pp. 149–170). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.