How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts

by Christopher Salerno, Kelsea Habecker

Overview

A poetry journal for those looking to improve their art

Nourish your poetic soul with this instructive and inspiring journal. Whether you're just starting out or seeking ways to expand your skills, How to Write Poetry is a poetry journal designed to nurture creativity and deepen your understanding of this age-old literary tradition.

Discover lessons on everything from crafting evocative imagery to exploring the nuances of rhythm and meter—all while immersing yourself in related readings that reinforce your connection to the instruction. Put your knowledge into practice with dozens of original, enriching prompts meant to jump-start a ritual of poetry writing. No matter where you are on your journey, this poetry journal will help you unleash your artistic voice.

This how-to poetry journal helps teach with:

• A poetic primer—Go from basic to more advanced techniques with descriptive instructions that provide comprehensive guidance.
• Practice makes perfect—Hone your skills with thought-provoking prompts and blank pages that encourage you to try what you've learned.
• Finishing touches—This poetry journal contains expert advice for revising your poems, as well as a list of respected publications you can submit your completed works to.

Expand your knowledge and broaden your skills with a poetry journal that teaches you how to find your voice and share your passion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781646117970
Publisher:	Callisto Publishing
Publication date:	04/07/2020
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Christopher Salerno is the author of five books of poems and the editor of Saturnalia Books. He has received the Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Award, the Laurel Review Chapbook Prize, and a New Jersey State Council on the Arts fellowship.

Kelsea Habecker is a poet, writer, teacher, retreat leader, and personal coach. Her collections of poetry include Hollow Out, selected by US Poet Laureate Charles Simic; The Walrus Wives, a chapbook; and North Wife, forthcoming from Salmon Poetry.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

How to Use This Journal xi

Themes and Literary Devices

Origins 1

Imagery 6

Metaphor and Simile 12

Engaging the Senses 18

Diction and Syntax 25

Line Breaks 30

Sounds of Poetry 36

Lyric Impulse 42

Rhythm and Meter 49

Rhyme 54

Tone 60

Persona 66

Style and Voice 73

First and Last Lines 78

Narrative Impulse 84

Repetition 90

Personification 97

Truth and Lies 102

Surrealism 108

Imitation 114

Poetry of Protest 121

Poetry of Place 126

Ekphrastic Poetry 132

Object Poetry 139

Occasional Poetry 144

Found Poetry 150

Common Poetic Terms 156

Where to Submit Your Work 160

A Poetry Library 164

Additional Resources 167

Editorial Reviews

"After doing every suggestion included in every chapter, I’m prepared to give this five stars. I expected a simplistic “prompt of the day” approach, but this is much more complex, and it’s challenging in a good way … If you actually take this book seriously, it can very much work your creative muscles. I highly recommend it." — Customer Review

"Written by a poet who leads poetry writing retreats, this is a workbook to write and create in. I appreciate that the topics have brief but effective explanations of themes and literary devices enough to immediately get you into writing poetry yourself. I have already begun writing poetry this summer thanks to this book. The real work of writing poetry is in the writing process itself and the author seems to know that and this book is more than enough to get you started. " — Customer Review

"This is a wonderful primer on how to write poetry for those who are intimidated by the process; it takes the reader to the basic elements and illustrates how to build upon them for confidence. The book is broken down into sections that describe the components of poetry and includes exercises to stir and unleash the imagination … If you want to express yourself with depth and soul, this is an excellent place to start." — Customer Review

From the Publisher