Hampshire Poet blog - June 2025
- Damian Kelly-Basher
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing what he has been up to, telling us his poetic plans for the future, and inviting you to get involved in poetry in Hampshire. Read on to find out what's happening in Damian's world!
In this blog, Damian looks at getting started.
This month I’m sharing tips on how to get you writing when you’re faced with a blank page/screen.
These tips come from various poets, writers and even song writers.
Writing exercises and tips
Try to write a little every day, even 5 mins is good.
Writing is a muscle. The more you use it the easier and better it’ll be.
Read other writers.
The more you read the more you’ll feel inspired. It doesn’t have to be poetry. Read a science or sports article, a review of a film or artwork.
Get actual experience of the topic.
Writing about trees? Spend time with one.
If you can’t, research the topic.
Experience its specialist language or slang.
My friends, The Surrealists, used ‘freewriting’ in the 1920s to access the unconscious mind. Now, loads of poetry workshops use it. Freewriting can help because you aren’t trying to ‘create’ something. The pressure’s off. The content isn’t important; the process is.
How do I ‘freewrite’?
Set a timer.
Write continuously for 5 mins. Don’t stop. Don’t take your pen off the page or fingers off the keyboard.
If you don’t know what to write, write “ I don’t know what to write”.
When you finish, see if there are any words, phrases or ideas you can use.
If you’re stuck, try different methods to see what works for you.
Some poets write better at different times of the day. Some poets like to exercise (or snooze) before they write. Remember, each poem is different. So, be flexible.
Have fun. Writing should always be fun.
Damian Kelly-Basher is Hampshire Poet Laureate 2024-26. The appointment of the Hampshire Poet takes place every two years and is jointly led by Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust. The position of Hampshire Poet provides the opportunity for a Hampshire-based poet to undertake commissions, lead workshops and give readings and talks throughout the county, as well as acting as an advocate for poetry and poets.
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