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Maria’s Rules for a Healthier Sestina – and a Saner You

· Play on and with your end words! For example, if one of your end words is “wave,” then try variations of it as an end word throughout. For example, “microwave”, “airwave”, “wavelength”, and “unwavering.”

· At some point in the poem, ONCE, switch one word out for a phonetically similar but different one. For example, “Wave” could be “Wayne” or “Way.”

· Choose subject matter that is OBSESSIVE in nature. What subject repeats itself over and over in life, in YOUR life, in your brain, or for people in general?

· Avoid the “sestina sag” when you reach the final sestet. Do this by inserting a surprise turn at that point in the poem.

· Avoid general “sags” using subject matter that “turns.” In other words, choose a subject that naturally zig-zags in unexpected directions.

· Persona and dramatic monologue poems ARE AWESOME for sestinas. You can hide the form better, AND when inhabiting someone else’s mind, you can usually advance ideas and narratives to avoid sagging.