What's the best poetic advice you've ever been given?

Mine probably came when I was living in Louisiana. I was complaining about not finding the poetry that I wanted. Someone told me to make it and the venues for it. On a more practical level, it was probably when someone told me to take out the articles.

Camille Martin:

My best advice about poetry comes from poetry itself. Poems are my permission-givers and my inspiration. If I listened to every poet or non-poet who ever gave me advice, I might as well try to change my skin. Poems change my brain. Much better.