I fully concur RAP and am on my second run through the book. In another life it would be the Haynes Manual of poetry (as if there could ever be such a thing). Nothing in the book is prescriptive but one finds oneself regularly saying 'I do that' or 'that a great idea I'll try it'.
Seeing rough drafts honed into finished pieces is fascinating!
Buy it!
Comment is about The Process of Poetry, from first draft to final poem: ed. Rosanna McGlone, Fly on the Wall Press (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
This is a wonderful book, full of practical insights from fifteen leading contemporary poets on their process and how they develop a poem from a tangle of ideas into a finished piece. Being poets they understand the importance of precision and capturing big ideas in a small package. So, the book may only be 150 pages, but the content is far from small scale. Each chapter is a masterclass and, as many of the poets are also teachers, they communicate their ideas beautifully and memorably. Hats off to Rosanna McGlone, who has worked sensitively and thoroughly with each contributor to draw out their wisdom in a warm, engaging and intimate way. I am on my second read, this time making notes, and I know I will revisit this book many times - it is the best I have read for anyone who writes, or aspires to write poetry. Brilliant stuff - thank you, Write Out Loud & Greg, for nudging me to buy it.
Comment is about The Process of Poetry, from first draft to final poem: ed. Rosanna McGlone, Fly on the Wall Press (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman
<Deleted User> (5011)
Mon 26th Feb 2024 12:49
I have bought a copy, too, and I concur. Sharing of experience and practice rather than prescribing 'how to'.
Haynes manual of poetry? If wanting to improve your spoken poetry skills, perhaps you could use a torque wrench?
I'l get my coat.
Comment is about The Process of Poetry, from first draft to final poem: ed. Rosanna McGlone, Fly on the Wall Press (article)
Original item by Greg Freeman