Wingbeats: Exercises and Practice in Poetry

by Scott Wiggerman (Editor), David Meischen (Editor)

Literary Nonfiction. Poetics. Writing Reference. WINGBEATS: EXERCISES AND PRACTICE IN POETRY is an exciting collection of exercises by fifty-eight wonderfully diverse teaching poets both in (Oliver de la Paz, Ravi Shankar, Patricia Smith) and out (Ellen Bass, Robert McDowell, Naomi Shihab Nye) of academia. In seven chapters, ranging from "Springboards to Imagination" to "Chancing the Accidental" to "Complicating the Poem," each exercise includes not only clear step-by-step instructions, but numerous poems that exemplify the successful completion of the exercise, some by the authors of the exercises, some by their students. WINGBEATS' exercises incorporate numerous approaches: working in pairs and/or groups, incorporating research and/or the Internet, writing outdoors, and others, all easily found in the book's unique Alternate Table of Contents. Of course, traditional poetic techniques covering metaphor, persona, forms, and revision are also included. WINGBEATS, which poet Cole Swensen calls "indispensable," belongs in every poet's library.Contributors: Rosa Alcala, Wendy Barker, Ellen Bass, Tara Betts, Catherine Bowman, Susan Briante, Sharon Bridgforth, Nathan Brown, Jenny Browne, Andrea Hollander Budy, Lisa D. Chavez, Alison T. Cimino, Cathryn Cofell, Sarah Cortez, Bruce Covey, Oliver de la Paz, Lori Desrosiers, Cyra S. Dumitru, Blas Falconer, Annie Finch, Gretchen Fletcher, Madelyn Garner, Barbara Hamby, Carol Hamilton, Penny Harter, Kurt Heinzelman, Jane Hilberry, Karla Huston, David Kirby, Laurie Kutchins, Ellaraine Lockie, Ed Madden, Anne McCrady, Robert McDowell, Ray McManus, David Meischen, Harryette Mullen, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Hoa Nguyen, Naomi Shihab Nye, Katherine Durham Oldmixon, Kathleen Peirce, Georgia A. Popoff, Patty Seyburn, Ravi Shankar, Shoshauna Shy, Patricia Smith, Jessamyn Johnston Smyth, Bruce Snider, Lisa Russ Spaar, Susan Terris, Lewis Turco, Andrea L. Watson, Afaa Michael Weaver, William Wenthe, Scott Wiggerman, Abe Louise Young, and Matthew Zapruder."WINGBEATS is a fabulous toolbox of innovative and practical ideas that literally every teacher of poetry workshops and at every level, from elementary poets-in-the-schools through the graduate MFA, will find indispensable. Covering a vast range from image to sound to form, the exercises are all concrete and clearly presented--a marvelous way to mine the imaginations and experiences of today's most dynamic poets. Invaluable "--Cole Swensen"I opened WINGBEATS--and fell in headfirst, caught in the feathers of the creative impulse. WINGBEATS proves that poetry matters, that writing is an experimental discovery process, that there are many avenues to success, that writing poems is a gift we can all claim. The wealth of enabling nudges by the poets of WINGBEATS--who share their energy, wisdom, and examples--opens the door wide to our creative Selves. No teacher, no aspiring poet, should be without the gentle guidance of this book."--Gabriele Rico

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Scott Wiggerman is the author of "Leaf and Beak," "Presence," "Vegetables and Other Relationships" and the publisher of Dos Gatos Press' annual "Texas Poetry Calendar," now in its nineteenth edition. He is also the editor of the "Big Land, Big Sky, Big Hair" anthology, of a haiku anthology, "Lifting the Sky: Southwestern Haiku & Haiga," as well as the best-selling "Wingbeats: Exercises & Practice in Poetry" and "Wingbeats II." His latest edited tome is "Bearing the Mask: Southwestern Persona Poems" (2016).

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wingbeats: Exercises & Practice in Poetry contains 61 exercises contributed by published poets who teach. This book is different from other “how to” books, as the chapters are actually exercises described by the poets who use them in class or workshops. There are examples of generated poems, which help the exercise spring to life. The exercises are grouped into chapters. They range from relatively simple to quite complicated, including writing exercises to be done in pairs or a group.

This would be a great book for poetry writing groups to use during a meeting or retreat. There is enough variety to the exercises that everybody should be able to find something of use.

[Alarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title says, this is a workbook, not a quick read. I took almost a year to get through it, and I’ll be going back to it. I tried the exercises that spoke the most to me and skimmed the others. I enjoy reading what respected writers say about their craft and have met a few of the poets in this volume. There are exercises fitting everyone: from beginners wanting a formal plan for how to practice and track their writing to those like me who want an occasional nudge out of writer’s block.

I lean toward exercises that inspire more than one poem, that give me a technique to use on my own when my creative well runs dry. Ellen Bass’s “The Word List: Your Assignment Should You Choose to Accept It” (p.16) was the biggest inspiration to me. I’ve written several poems using that technique, which is easy to remember. My first poem, using HER list of words, got quickly published. It is rare for an exercise book to yield as many poems I’m proud to claim, so I highly recommend Wingbeats.

[Keely Hyslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful resource for poetry writing exercises! Innovative exercise suggestions from contemporary working poets like Harryette Mullen, Matthew Zapruder, Naomi Shihab Nye, and many others. An especially useful resource for writing teachers and writing groups.

[Robin Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pick up this book of poetry makers whenever my writing feels stuck or I want to work on something completely different. The introductory essays from each contributing poet are as helpful as the exercises.

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong collection of exercises. There's a nice variety of scope here.

[Marilyn Barnewall]

Have paid for it. Can't get to read it.