The Crafty Poet II: A Portable Workshop - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0996987177 ISBN 13: 9780996987172

Publisher: Terrapin Books, 2016

Synopsis

               The Crafty Poet II Named a Best Book for Writers by Poets & Writers
". . . Each of the ten sections thoroughly explores and discusses craft tips provided by an experienced poet (Ellen Bass, Ada Limon, Dean Young, and others) and includes illuminating sample poems and related writing prompts."
Like the original, The Crafty Poet II is organized into ten sections. We again end with "Revision," but this time we also begin with it in "Revising Your Process." That section is followed by one on "Entryways into Poems" which considers how a poet might get going with a poem and how a poet might pull in a reader with humor and enticing titles. There is in-depth discussion of the importance of choosing the right words; using syntax, line breaks, and spacing to advantage; and enhancing the music of poems. There is a meaty section on how to add complication to your poems, another on how to divert or transform your poems from their original intention, and another on special forms of poems. In "Expanding the Material" three poets consider how to write poetic sequences using paintings, photographs, and history. The final section, "Revision," moves beyond the usual advice to "get rid of adjectives" as one poet offers ways to revise via sound, another offers a series of expansion strategies, and, finally, poet Dick Allen issues a warning against excessive revision.

All ten sections include three craft tips, each provided by an experienced, accomplished poet. Each of these thirty craft tips is followed by a Model poem and a Prompt based on the poem. Each model poem is used as a mentor, again expressing the underlying philosophy of the first book that the best teacher of poetry is a good poem. You will find that the model poems receive more analysis than in the first book and that the prompts are a bit more challenging. Each prompt is followed by two Sample poems which suggest the possibilities for the prompts and should provide for good discussion about what works and what doesn't. Each section includes a Poet on the Poem Q&A about the craft elements in one of the featured poet's poems. Each section concludes with a Bonus Prompt, each of which provides a stimulus on those days when you just can't get your engine started.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Model poems with prompts, craft tips, and interviews contributed by 65 of our nation's finest poets, including 15 current and former state Poets Laureate.
Kelli Russell Agodon, Dick Allen, Nin Andrews, David Barber, Judith Barrington, Ellen Bass, Mary Biddinger, George Bilgere. Chana Bloch, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, David Bottoms, Fleda Brown, Kathryn Stripling Byer, Lauren Camp, Martha Collins, Mary Cornish, Oliver de la Paz, Carl Dennis, Toi Derricotte, Natalie Diaz, Camille Dungy, Jill Alexander Essbaum, Alice B. Fogel, Alice Friman, Karin Gottshall, Tami Haaland, Barbara Hamby, Ava Level Haymon, Tom Hennen, David Hernandez, Tony Hoagland, Karla Huston, Laura Kasischke, Meg Kearney, David Kirby, Lance Larsen, Sydney Lea, Ada Limon, Timothy Liu, Diane Lockward, Alessandra Lynch, Davis McCombs, Susan Laughter Meyers, Deborah Miranda, D. Nurkse, Priscilla Orr, Paisley Rekdal, Susan Rich, Alberto Rios, Lee Ann Roripaugh, Sheryl St. Germaine, Martha Silano, Ron Smith, A. E. Stringer, KC Trommer, William Trowbridge, Lee Upton, Sidney Wade, Charles Harper Webb, Hilde Weisert, Marjory Wentworth, Terence Winch, Robert Wrigley, Dean Young, Michael T. Young

An additional 47 excellent poets contributed the sample poems inspired by the prompts.
Gloria Amescua, Bob Bradshaw, Constance Brewer, Betsey Cullen, Jessica de Koninck, Gail Fishman Gerwin, Deborah Gerrish, Patricia L. Goodman, Jeanie Greensfelder, Susan Gundlach, Barbara Hagerty, Tracy Hart, Penny Harter, Karen Paul Holmes, Akua Lezli Hope, Jenny Hubbard, Jen Karetnick, Tina Kelley, Adele Kenny, Kim Klugh, Denise Low, Kathy Macdonald, Charlotte Mandel, Joan Mazza, Jane Miller, Maren Mitchell, Camille Norvaisas, Ellie O'Leary, Judith Quaempts, Wanda Praisner, Anjela Villarreal Ratliff, Kim Roberts, Jennifer Saunders, Paula Schulz, Martha Silano, Linda Simone, Kate Sontag, Carole Stone, Marilyn L. Taylor, Lisken Van Pelt Dus, Pramila Ventkateswaren, Angela Vogel, Jeanne Wagner, Jane West, Scott Wiggerman, Lori Wilson

Review

The collection is remarkable in the scope of voices it offers as teacher and example.
--Grace Gardiner, Mom Egg Review

It's right on time to win hearts and minds of readers because it's clear, smart and damn interesting. Let's not hide it in the classroom when all literate readers deserve to see how to change emotional ideas to words.
--Grace Cavalieri, Washington Independent Review of Books

Edition details

• Publisher: Terrapin Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0996987177
• ISBN 13: 9780996987172
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 327
• Editor: Lockward Diane