Tips for writing a speculative poetry

Speculative poetry is a lesser-known genre that forms a foothold for science fiction and fantasy stories in addition to novels and films. It explores the worlds of magical creatures, enigmatic realms, and futuristic settings.

It combines science fiction and mythological themes. It has three sub-genres, including science fiction, mythic, and horror. Speculative poetry takes its inspiration from the unknown, thus “speculative”.

Below are some tips for writing speculative poems:

Get acquainted with the ins and outs of the genre

Familiarize this genre by poring over the works of renowned speculative poets like Sonya Taaffe, Bruce Boston, and Mike Allen. Also, read speculative poetry magazines, where you can find centuries-old poems as well as contemporary titles.

Choose your subject

There’s no limit to the amount of topics around speculative poetry. Especially in this digital age where cars roam the streets with no human drivers and mobile devices talk to their owners, finding an interesting topic for this genre is never hard. You can even build a sci-fi world out of your own imagination or from your favorite urban legend.

Pick your poetic form

Like other forms of poetry, speculative poems follow certain structures, rhymes, and rhythms. As you write your verses, select a poetic form that best suits your topic.