Excited to dive into this list. Am currently reading Six Memos for the Next Millennium by Italo Calvino. The book is five lectures ("memos") about the indispensable qualities of literature: lightness, quickness, exactitude, visibility, and multiplicity. It's incisive and originary...a bit above my head...
Writing the Australian Crawl by William Stafford is one I return to again and again. He dedicated his life to making poetry accessible, and this book is full of his wisdom and humour.
This could have came with a note: stay to the end if you would like to have your heart filled with love ❤️ Ana reciting the poem made me feel very happy 😊 as a mom and nana, maybe especially so 💕 Thank you for sharing.
As my yellow highlights and marginalia notes can attest, I use & treasure these:
Mary Oliver’s—A Poetry Handbook:
“The poem is an attitude, and a prayer; it sings on the page and it sings itself off the page; it lives through genius and technique.”
Sandford Lyne’s—writing poetry from the inside out:
“…poems…are the fingerprints of our souls, …no two people write them in the same way, …poetry writing is about being yourself on paper to see what will show up.”
Annie Finch & Alexandra Oliver as editors: Measure for Measure) for diving into meter.
“Meter is the magic potion of poetry, the part that alters consciousness.”
Now eagerly awaiting Tracy K. Smith’s November release of:
Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times.
Thanks Shannon to you and Ana for the curriculum intro video —fun and inspiring. Looking forward to joining you on this journey.
Peter Elbow's book "Writing With Power" (2nd edition: 1998; Oxford University Press) includes a 19-page chapter called "Poetry as No Big Deal."
I haven't read that chapter thoroughly, yet, myself (because I wanted to wait for a better, future time), but I think I recall that it seemed it offers advice by Peter Elbow on beginning to write poetry.
I believe Peter Elbow is not a poet, himself. However, I think he must have been motivated to develop some ideas for writing poetry by virtue of his having been concerned with helping people to write, generally.
I'd figure he probably developed a few ideas for how people might enter into writing poems as a "lay-poet," himself, who wanted to help people write.
He may not necessasrily have said any of those above things in his chapter on poetry in that book, but I may be simply supposing and imagining that all of that had been his circumstances.
Generally, Peter Elbow comes across as a humble man who admits that writing is challenging. So, I'd figure he must have also been interested in some problems people might face who are little experienced as poets, already.
(Peter Elbow is now a professor emeritus who had focused in academia on composition studies and teaching. The original edition of "Writing With Power" was from 1981. The 2nd from 1998.)
We need to give a little appreciate to the person who edited this video. The sound effects and memes, stickers is so genius and matches personality we see behind some of your notes!
Thank you for doing this. I don't have any formal schooling in writing and sometimes learning about technique can feel like throwing darts at a big dartboard of advice. I love the idea of being able to dive into books like this one at a time with a sample lesson.
Love the video and its authenticity! As a poet who was somehow dragged into the deep end of writing only at age 50 with no formal training in it, I really appreciate this list! Now the challenge is trying to fit even a few of these books into my busy schedule that was not designed to include a poetry course. Richard Hugo was my parents' friend and colleague and I have had his book The Triggering Town on my desk waiting to be read for more than a year now. Must get to it next!
Thank you Meg!! I'm so happy the video was more than bearable haha, and that the books here are of use to you. SO cool that Richard Hugo was your parents' friend, wow!
Toward a New Poetry by Diane Wakoski is a favorite of mine—her discussions about other poets and her own relationship to the autobiographical is so interesting !!!
Kowit's "In the Palm of Your Hand" is a great craft books for both beginning and well published poets. Also the Graywolf Press' poetry craft series are great books. Loganbach's "Art of the Poetic Line" and Carl Phillip's "Art of Daring" are just two off the top of my head.
Thank you for this list! I have a few craft books, but none of these. Right now, I've been diving into a classic from the 1930s called Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande with a 1980s inroduction by John Gardner. I will definitely be looking into your list!
I can relate to anyone learning to write poetry because it reminds me of learning to play guitar. I’ve spent hours with lessons and practice, but I’m still not the player I want to be. Fortunately, poetry comes naturally to me and rises from my core. I’ve been trusting my voice and not trying to alter it to sound poetic. Everyone has a voice; they just need to listen closely enough to hear it.
Curses, going to have to find some of these. I am at the opening stages of writing poetry and seem to have a talent for poetry; my fear is that I will learn and teach myself out of my voice too early on, but I am also looking for guidance. A Triggering Town and A Poet's Guide to Poetry sound like where I might start.
That’s my Christmas list sorted 🤭 Currently reading On Poetry by Glyn Maxwell—award winning British poets essays and reflections on what makes contemporary poetry, looking at elements such as space and form. Haven’t finished it but loving it so far. Actually I have a pile which I’ve had sneaky nibbles of but this will do for now 😂
Excited to dive into this list. Am currently reading Six Memos for the Next Millennium by Italo Calvino. The book is five lectures ("memos") about the indispensable qualities of literature: lightness, quickness, exactitude, visibility, and multiplicity. It's incisive and originary...a bit above my head...
OH MY GOD I NEED THIS
EVERYBODY NEEDS THIS
Caching the Light by Joy Harjo is the one that launched my journey. Part collection part instruction manual and full on beauty.
I haven’t come across this one! I’ll get a copy asap!
Sorry typed to fast...Catching the Light....
Writing the Australian Crawl by William Stafford is one I return to again and again. He dedicated his life to making poetry accessible, and this book is full of his wisdom and humour.
Thank you for sharing this one, Jean-Paul!
This could have came with a note: stay to the end if you would like to have your heart filled with love ❤️ Ana reciting the poem made me feel very happy 😊 as a mom and nana, maybe especially so 💕 Thank you for sharing.
That's so sweet Di, thank you!!
As my yellow highlights and marginalia notes can attest, I use & treasure these:
Mary Oliver’s—A Poetry Handbook:
“The poem is an attitude, and a prayer; it sings on the page and it sings itself off the page; it lives through genius and technique.”
Sandford Lyne’s—writing poetry from the inside out:
“…poems…are the fingerprints of our souls, …no two people write them in the same way, …poetry writing is about being yourself on paper to see what will show up.”
Annie Finch & Alexandra Oliver as editors: Measure for Measure) for diving into meter.
“Meter is the magic potion of poetry, the part that alters consciousness.”
Now eagerly awaiting Tracy K. Smith’s November release of:
Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times.
Thanks Shannon to you and Ana for the curriculum intro video —fun and inspiring. Looking forward to joining you on this journey.
These are beautiful, thank you so much for sharing!
Peter Elbow's book "Writing With Power" (2nd edition: 1998; Oxford University Press) includes a 19-page chapter called "Poetry as No Big Deal."
I haven't read that chapter thoroughly, yet, myself (because I wanted to wait for a better, future time), but I think I recall that it seemed it offers advice by Peter Elbow on beginning to write poetry.
I believe Peter Elbow is not a poet, himself. However, I think he must have been motivated to develop some ideas for writing poetry by virtue of his having been concerned with helping people to write, generally.
I'd figure he probably developed a few ideas for how people might enter into writing poems as a "lay-poet," himself, who wanted to help people write.
He may not necessasrily have said any of those above things in his chapter on poetry in that book, but I may be simply supposing and imagining that all of that had been his circumstances.
Generally, Peter Elbow comes across as a humble man who admits that writing is challenging. So, I'd figure he must have also been interested in some problems people might face who are little experienced as poets, already.
(Peter Elbow is now a professor emeritus who had focused in academia on composition studies and teaching. The original edition of "Writing With Power" was from 1981. The 2nd from 1998.)
Thank you for sharing these Jeff! 💙
We need to give a little appreciate to the person who edited this video. The sound effects and memes, stickers is so genius and matches personality we see behind some of your notes!
Haha that person would be me! Thank you 💙
Thank you for doing this. I don't have any formal schooling in writing and sometimes learning about technique can feel like throwing darts at a big dartboard of advice. I love the idea of being able to dive into books like this one at a time with a sample lesson.
I'm so happy this is feeling useful! 💙
Love the video and its authenticity! As a poet who was somehow dragged into the deep end of writing only at age 50 with no formal training in it, I really appreciate this list! Now the challenge is trying to fit even a few of these books into my busy schedule that was not designed to include a poetry course. Richard Hugo was my parents' friend and colleague and I have had his book The Triggering Town on my desk waiting to be read for more than a year now. Must get to it next!
Thank you Meg!! I'm so happy the video was more than bearable haha, and that the books here are of use to you. SO cool that Richard Hugo was your parents' friend, wow!
Toward a New Poetry by Diane Wakoski is a favorite of mine—her discussions about other poets and her own relationship to the autobiographical is so interesting !!!
Thank you for sharing this Jude!
Kowit's "In the Palm of Your Hand" is a great craft books for both beginning and well published poets. Also the Graywolf Press' poetry craft series are great books. Loganbach's "Art of the Poetic Line" and Carl Phillip's "Art of Daring" are just two off the top of my head.
Oh yes I LOVE Kowit's book (have it all underlines in my teenage bedroom still). I clearly need to do a round 2!
Thank you for this list! I have a few craft books, but none of these. Right now, I've been diving into a classic from the 1930s called Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande with a 1980s inroduction by John Gardner. I will definitely be looking into your list!
Thank you Doniell!
I can relate to anyone learning to write poetry because it reminds me of learning to play guitar. I’ve spent hours with lessons and practice, but I’m still not the player I want to be. Fortunately, poetry comes naturally to me and rises from my core. I’ve been trusting my voice and not trying to alter it to sound poetic. Everyone has a voice; they just need to listen closely enough to hear it.
That's beautiful Sereca!! 💙
Thank you, Shannan. 🩷
Curses, going to have to find some of these. I am at the opening stages of writing poetry and seem to have a talent for poetry; my fear is that I will learn and teach myself out of my voice too early on, but I am also looking for guidance. A Triggering Town and A Poet's Guide to Poetry sound like where I might start.
Haha I'm happy to hear this Stevn
…just to add… video was perfect, as was your adorable assistant 🥰
Thank you my friend, that helps a lot!!
That’s my Christmas list sorted 🤭 Currently reading On Poetry by Glyn Maxwell—award winning British poets essays and reflections on what makes contemporary poetry, looking at elements such as space and form. Haven’t finished it but loving it so far. Actually I have a pile which I’ve had sneaky nibbles of but this will do for now 😂
These books definitely make excellent gifts to oneself or to others!! And thank you for pointing me towards the Maxwell one!