A haiku is a literary piece that originated in Japan. It is a kind of poetry made from a few lines that can convey emotions.
A haiku is a relevant form of a literary piece. With only a simple structure, it can convey a message to the readers. It uses a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern.
Haiku inspire memorable moments and experiences of the maker. Thus, as a writer, learning how to write a haiku is an addition. The process of writing a haiku encompasses a lot of techniques.
The techniques used in writing a haiku might be slightly different from the point of view of an experienced haiku writer from beginners. However, writers are not the only ones who can write haiku. If making haikus interest you, here are ten tips you can follow to write the best haiku:
Choose a topic fit for your writing style
Choosing the topic is among the most necessary part of writing a haiku. Choose a topic that fits your writing style if you want your literary piece to convey a message or emotion. Here is how you can choose a perfect topic for your haiku:
- Pattern to experience and life events
- Being inspired by nature
- Evaluate what you feel at that moment
- Haiku examples from the best Haiku poets
- Look at an event or a season
Analyse your topic
Once you have selected your topic, ask yourself the point why you want to write a haiku. When you analyse, this can help you add a better twist to your haiku.
Analysing your topic will also enable you to bring out facts and fascinating things you can add to your haiku. For instance, you can get inspiration from famous haikus and use it to make yours better.
Know when to be simple or complex
You can appreciate haiku in many ways. Some haikus are complex, and some are simple. You can write a haiku based on your style. You can do it how you want your readers to appreciate your piece.
Simple haikus are easier to understand. Readers may perceive your haiku’s concept faster using this style. On the other hand, complex haikus may need extensive appreciation. Though it may be hard to understand, complex haikus sometimes convey hidden messages and emotions. As a haiku writer, you need to know when to add complexity to your haiku and when not to.
Get an inspiration
Inspiration will drive your writing to have a better sense. Haikus expresses the emotions of the maker. Thus, an inspired writer makes the best haikus.
Inspiration does not get you in a blink of an eye. Sometimes, you can take inspiration from doing things that can stimulate you. When you think of a phrase or a topic, you can write it on your notes and make it better once that inspiration hits you again.
You can also get inspiration from the people you love. The feeling and emotions you feel can help you write something better.
The perfect timing to write the haiku can help you make the best one. Inspirations are precious to one person. Use them well by turning them into beautiful haiku pieces.
Give a sensory detail regarding your haiku subject
Ideally, haikus exist to convey feelings to their readers. Thus, haikus must give feelings to someone who is reading the piece.
Your haiku may give your readers a breath of fresh air or a long taste of emotions that may affect them. Thus, your haiku should be able to stimulate the senses of your readers as you describe your haiku subject.
Your haiku subject is the point of the piece. Writing about your subject must be clear for your readers. This way, you will leave them with a perfect understanding of your haiku.
Give a surprise ending
Haikus are short poems. But it does not mean that it should leave your readers hanging. The best haiku will leave your readers contentment with your literary piece. You may also give them something to think about and ponder.
A haiku with a surprise ending intrigues readers. A surprise ending is a good element of the best haiku piece. Your reader should be able to catch the message you want to convey with the short poem that you made.
Share your haiku
Sharing your haiku can help other people know about your piece. You can share your haiku with your family and friends, and these people can give you feedback and reactions to your work.
Strangers can also help you make your haiku better. These people can give an objective point of view on the literary piece you want them to read. Sharing your haiku with other people enables you to see the appreciation they will give to your work.
If you have made numerous Haiku works in the past, why not consider publishing them? It can be a great way to share your written work with everyone no matter where they are.
Format your haiku
Writing a haiku is unique compared to other literary pieces. Traditional haiku formatting is centering your haiku and forming diamond shape lines. The format of your haiku gives the feel of a great haiku piece.
Haiku titles are also different. Avoid creating long-tailed haiku titles, and keep it short but impactful. For instance, you can use different seasons for your titles, such as summer, winter, autumn, and spring. These titles work best when writing something that may convey a relevant message.
Give a tangible description
Creating a vague haiku will make your readers unsatisfied. You can adapt simple language to give a better description of your subject, and your readers must be able to visualise and associate your haiku with something out of vagueness.
Metaphors and similes may work in other literary pieces. But usually, people can appreciate haikus better with simpler words. You can use elaborated language to describe your subject.
Learn from the best
Making the best haiku is possible when you have read many of them. You can get inspiration and adapt writing styles from the best haiku poets in the world. You may also immerse yourself with different tutoring and coaching from other writers.
Remember to read many haikus as you can. This way, you will know how to do it better. Analyse how other writers do their haikus and see if you can apply such a pattern to your literary piece.