Poetry Crafting Workshop

You love words. You have things to say and you know you want to say them in a poem.

But capturing on the page what is in your mind – and heart – can feel overwhelming.

This eight-week course, led by experienced poet, novelist, magazine editor and poetry event convenor Roberta Lowing, will accelerate your poetry-writing progress by showing you how to unlock the words within. It is suitable for anyone writing their first poem, those returning to poetry or those experienced writers interested in classic poetic forms as well as more unusual and playful poetic structures. For members interested in public reading events, especially poetry slams, there will be an emphasis on sound throughout the course, and how to insert rhythm into poetry, with and without rhyme.

Each week includes a tutorial on the allotted topic; class discussion of poems selected to showcase specific forms, and take-home creative exercises. Class members can choose to workshop (share) their poem for feedback; small-group workshopping outside class will also be available.

Session topics:

1. Making a Poem: Tools and Tricks
2. Narrators and The 'Voice' of the Poem
3. Crafting Personal Content
4. Controlling Mood and Tone
5. Sound: On Page and Stage
6. Editing
7. Submitting
8. Performing