An act of imagination is an act of self-acceptance.
Scholars look for final truths they will never find. Creative writers concern themselves with possibilities that are always there to the receptive.
A good creative-writing teacher can save a good writer a lot of time.
Don't write with a pen. Ink tends to give the impression the words shouldn't be changed.
Don't write love poems when you're in love. Write them when you're not in love.
To write a poem you must have a streak of arrogance-- not in real life I hope. In real life try to be nice. It will save you a hell of a lot of trouble and give you more time to write.