I’ve written poetry before, but I’d never tried collaborating on a poem, and it was a brilliant experience!
If you’re looking for a quick boost of creativity, something to spark ideas, and a general bit of fun, this is something you can easily try.
Collaborating On A Poem With Sarah And Joanita
I’d been invited to go into the BBC Radio York studios for a live interview with host Joanita, to chat about my antics of trying 52 new things a year.
Keen to try and do something new whilst I was there, we decided that Joanita, producer Sarah and I, would collaborate on a poem all about trying new things.
We didn’t have long, probably 25 minutes in total, until I’d be giving the very first reading of it live on air.
Making A Start
Sarah and I made a start on it whilst we were in the office and before I went into the actual studio for the interview. The pressing deadline gave an element of peril, would we get something together in time?!
Instead of our minds going blank, as can often be the case when we are put on the spot, we encouraged each other with suggestions and ideas, and came up with the first couple of lines, and the title.
Working Together
After the first part of the interview and whilst some songs were playing, the three of us were in the studio trying to come up with the next few lines.
I could not have anticipated how much fun this was going to be. Sparking ideas from each other, we were throwing suggestions around, coming up with some that were ridiculous, and some that were a little less ridiculous!
I think we impressed ourselves that we managed to come up with 12 lines that rhymed in such a short space of time. I know a poem doesn’t have to rhyme, but that’s the route we went down.
It was brilliant fun, and there was a lot of positive energy as we all pitched in to create something that could be read out.
The First Ever Reading
The faders went up and we were back on air for the second part of the interview, which began with the very first reading of our collective work.
It wasn’t the best delivery, but I read it out and Joanita pressed play on a cheering sound effect at the end. For such a short turnaround to come up with a poem, it’s amazing what can be achieved!
Imagine what we could have done with just a little bit longer?!
Titled, From the daft to the daring, the easy to the extreme, and anything in-between, here’s the poem in its entirety. It won’t win any awards for literary genius, but we were pleased with the results!
What will adventure number four hundred bring?
I’ve already had a lesson to learn how to sing.
I made marshmallows from scratch which was quite tricky,
But they turned out fluffy, delicious and sticky.
I met Joanita the day after she scored a penalty kick,
There wasn’t a goalie, but I won’t take the mick.
Number one on my list is playing kettle drums,
Should be lots of fun and a work out for my thumbs.
I wouldn’t mind meeting Nile Rodgers when he comes to play in York,
And the confidence from challenging myself – I wouldn’t be too nervous to talk.
Trying fifty-two new things in a year,
Who’s going to join me? I’ll give you a cheer!
Why You Should Try Collaborating On A Poem
Working with other people on a poem is a brilliant way to spark ideas and creativity. You get instant feedback and perspectives you might not have considered if you were working alone.
If you give yourself a deadline, it makes everyone concentrate to reach a shared end goal. The element of time pressure helps to make it fast, frenzied and focused!
It’s helpful to have a theme before you begin, as a way of keeping all of the contributors on track. It can be great fun, (depending on the topic), and you never know what someone else might say which ignites another idea in someone else.
This could be a great idea for an ice breaker for a team meeting. Although I can imagine many people reading that last sentence doing some very loud eye rolling!
Want To Try Collaborating On A Poem Yourself?
- This is really easy to try. All you need is someone to collaborate with!
Cost Of Experience
- Free!
Recommendations
- Pick a theme. Having a topic can help you focus on what you are creating.
- Have a time limit. The added pressure can help to encourage ideas ad makes sure you get it done!
- Go with the flow. You don’t have to create a masterpiece, but you never know what you might come up with as you let the ideas loose!
- Keep notes. Whether you’re using paper and pens, or a device, make a note of what you come up with so that you don’t forget the genius lines you come up with!
- Let me know how you get on if you give it a go!