Venturing Into Verse
Announcing a generative poetry writing workshop!
Going to cut right to it today, because this feels like a big step for me. I’ve tried to get something like this off the ground, but the thing I lacked most then was confidence. And while I may not have a lot of bravado still, I am still so proud and excited to announce the next step in my writing career…
I am leading a poetry workshop!
VERSES CALL TO YOU... WILL YOU ANSWER?
Grab your imagination because we’re setting off on an adventure! Venturing Into Verse is a generative creative writing workshop, with a focus on the medium of poetry. There will be a series of activities and prompts to help acclimate folks for whom poetry is new territory, but each poet, new or experienced, will walk away with a small batch of brand new poems and an activity booklet with challenges to inspire you long after we close the conference call!
WHAT THE WORKSHOP ENTAILS
The workshop will last for four hours, which will be separated by a one hour break in the middle for folks to log off, grab some lunch, or refresh for the second half. The first half will be led from 11am to 1pm, the break from 1pm to 2pm, and then the last part from 2pm to 4pm.
An overview of the activities is as follows: a brief intro period for everyone to meet & share why they're here. Then, we will jump into several lessons and prompts, focused on different elements of what makes a strong poem. We'll talk sensory details, and a variety of forms.
The second half will explore some deeper prompts that build upon activities from the first half. By the time we wrap up, poets will have seven new pieces to either share, edit, or stow away for themselves. As the leader of this workshop, I believe that poetry can be a beautiful practice for both professional writers AND folks for whom writing is personal. Some of my favorite poems I've written are the ones just for me. So whatever you decide to do with your new works, know that I'll be excited to keep in touch with folks who'd like to, especially since I hope to more workshops in the future!
SAMPLE PROMPT
Describe what you would consider your most sacred object. A childhood toy? A jewelry heirloom? Whatever your object is, describe it in visceral, sensory details. To get extra fancy, write the poem from said object’s POV.
I hope those of you who have considered poetry in the past, but not given yourself that permission, will sign up. When I started writing it a decade ago, it was something I did sheerly for my own joy, but it has become the most sacred and important medium to me now all these years later.
Let go of the fears you have that you won’t be good enough, because poetry is never about that. It is about expression, believing in oneself, and taking that creative leap. I hope to have you join me on the journey.
Featured Photo by Photo by Elora Allen on Unsplash