vaneramos: (Default)
[personal profile] vaneramos
I'm looking for a book or online resource with poetry exercises, not only writing prompts but also a guide to practising different traditional and non-traditional styles, voice and structure.

I plan to write a poem a day in February. I'm naturally inclined to write more poems this time of year. Over the years I've written almost as many in February as all the other months put together. My theoretical explanation is that my brain is waking up from the long dark season but it hasn't progressed toward physical, outdoor energy yet, like gardening! So I want to inject some discipline into this predictable creative energy.

It's already shaping up to be a busy month. But every year I think of doing this and then forget. Suddenly March or April arrives and I have written a few more poems. This year I want to write 28. If I want to continue after that, all the better.

I'm exciting about how Brian Kiteley's book, The 3 A.M. Epiphany, has been helping me play with the nuts and bolts of fiction writing: characters, POV, dialogue, structure, etc. I'm looking for exercises that do something similar with poetry, deeper than simple prompts.

Any ideas?

Date: 2014-01-30 06:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stephe.livejournal.com
I don't remember when I was first assigned it -- high school or college -- but John Frederik Nims's Wetsern Wind is my favorite poetry textbook, full of writing prompts and lots of stuff about style and structure. I don't think it's still in print, but you may be able to find a used copy somewhere.

Date: 2014-01-30 10:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
Thanks, I did find a used copy in "very good" condition on Amazon.ca for under $10 including shipping. It should be here in a few days!

Date: 2014-01-30 11:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stephe.livejournal.com
Cool! Hopefully it will live up to my memories of it.

Date: 2014-01-31 12:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
The price was right. I saw other copies for sale at well over $100!

Date: 2014-01-30 07:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daisydumont.livejournal.com
What a great idea! I need to get my motor started again too and could use the discipline of it. I'll look into the book you mention.

The best to you, Van, as you get writing!

Date: 2014-01-30 10:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaneramos.livejournal.com
I'm always delighted to encourage some motor power. Good luck to you, Vicki!

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