Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within

by Kim Addonizio

In this fresh approach to writing poetry, the coauthor of the perennially popular The Poet's Companion offers sharp insights into the craft of writing. "The creative process is just that," maintains Kim Addonizio. "Not a means to an end, but an ongoing participation." A widely acclaimed poet and finalist for the National Book Award, Addonizio meditates on her own process as she encourages writers to explore both their personal and political worlds, to seek inspiration from poets new and old, and to discover the rich poetic resources of the Internet. Lively, accessible, and informative, Ordinary Genius ?provides wisdom gleaned through personal experience and offers a heady variety of writing exercises. Chapters on gender, addiction, race and class, metaphor and line invite each individual writer to find and to hone his or her unique voice. This is the perfect book for both experienced writers and beginners eager to glimpse the angel of poetry.

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, How To, Teaching

311 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2009

About the author

Author of several poetry collections including Tell Me, a National Book Award Finalist. My Black Angel is a book of blues poems with woodcuts by Charles D. Jones, from SFA Press. The Palace of Illusions is a story collection from Counterpoint/Soft Skull. A New & Selected, Wild Nights, is out in the UK from Bloodaxe Books.

2016 publications: Mortal Trash, new poems, from W.W. Norton, awarded the Paterson Poetry Prize. A memoir, Bukowski in a Sundress: Confessions from a Writing Life, from Penguin.

Two instructional books on writing poetry: The Poet's Companion (with Dorianne Laux), and Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within.

First novel, Little Beauties, was published by Simon & Schuster and chosen as "Best Book of the Month" by Book of the Month Club. My Dreams Out in the Street, second novel, released by Simon & Schuster in 2007.

A new word/music CD, "My Black Angel, "is a collaboration with several musicians and contains all the poems in the book of that name. That and an earlier word/music CD with poet Susan Browne, "Swearing, Smoking, Drinking, & Kissing," available from cdbaby.com. There's an earlier book of stories, In the Box Called Pleasure (FC2); and the anthology Dorothy Parker's Elbow: Tattoos on Writers, Writers on Tattoos,, co-edited with Cheryl Dumesnil.

I teach poetry workshops at conferences and online through my web site. I also play blues harmonica, and I'm learning jazz flute. Music is a good place to focus when I'm in a writing slump.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read Addonizio's first poetry helper book, The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry, then you can probably miss this one without any great loss. I read it and picked up a few tids and a few bits, all good.

If you haven't read the first book and are interested in trying your hand at poetry, I recommend this. It is chock full of prompts and writing ideas (all of which I skipped over because my mind is swirling with ideas awaiting execution as it is), and I'm sure beginners would get some good mileage out of them.

Without going into great depth, Addonizio explains some of the in's and out's of poetry, too, such as line breaks and rhythm and meter. If you want depth over breadth, though, maybe look elsewhere.

[Geraldine]

I want to get this and Ted Kooser's how-to-write-poetry-book and put them together on the shelf, just to make Ted really uncomfortable around Kim.

[Nijla Mumin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed to read this book at this time in my life. I was starting to become doubtful, restless, and frustrated with my poetry, and my future as a poet.

This is a rather organic book that doesn't rely on quick fix- type solutions or ways to write poems. Addonizio instead writes of poetry as a journey, a winding road that is unpredictable and always informed by the passion and discipline that the writer brings to it. The writing exercises that she provides are excellent ways to begin those poems you've been thinking about writing but just couldn't get the words out. I wrote many promising poems using the exercises as my guide, and even started a new journal.

I am inspired by this book to say the least. I have a newfound belief in my own words and the rough road that comes with being a writer. Bring it on!

[Alexandrea Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. If you’re at all interested in writing poetry, pick this up.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many wonderful ideas for how to write a poem, and for how to spark and sustain the writing life.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read (and loved) all of Ms. Addonizio's books and this is, by far, one of my favorites. She does cover some of the basics of poetry writing, but also delves into the deeper side of poetry with some fabulous examples - delicious tidbits thrown in by awesome poets like Sharon Olds, Billy Collins, Susan Browne, Lucille Clifton and Tony Hoagland to name just a few. The book is also overflowing with shimmering, thought-provoking quotes by other poets and writers. I wrote several in my "favorite quotes" notebook to refer back to.

I was also thrilled to find quite a few new poems by the multifaceted Ms. Addonizio. Her poetry is as unique, distinctive and beautiful as Ms. Addonizio. I was happy to see one of my old favorites included, "What Do Women Want?" Reading this poem many years ago inspired me to go out and buy my first RED dress. You have to read the poem to understand....

The book is divided into four parts with a total of 36 chapters:

1. Entering Poetry
2. Inner and Outer Worlds,
3. The Poem's Progress, and
4. Toward Mastery

most with intriguing, motivating writing prompts to get your juices flowing. I read through the entire book and marked dozens of pages to go back to and re-read. I'm eager to get back into the book and try out some of the writing prompts.

If you love poetry and just need a jump start to your writing, then definitely buy this book because it'll do the job. If you just love to read poetry, this book is for you, too, because it's loaded with poems!

[Tracy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like in this guide to writing poetry, and I took a lot of notes. My lightbulb moment was when Addonizio explained something about meter that has always eluded me. Being someone for whom the "music" of a poem is supremely important, I have always wanted to fully understand metrical conventions but never quite got it. This book blew me away with the simple explanation of the role that meter plays in the *meaning* of a poem: it contributes a compelling tension by the juxtaposition of *how the words are actually said* versus the reader's *expectation of the how the beats will fall*. Now I get it.

Also a ton of great quotes about poetry and art in this book, and not the standard ones that are always being trotted out in books on (basically) "creativity and how to get some." One of my favorite new quotes from this book is attributed to Joseph Joubert: "You will find poetry nowhere, unless you bring some with you."

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to prepare for teaching poetry in an Intro to Creative Writing class. The generative exercises and discussions of craft are somewhat useful, but best of all is the material on revision. I read through a half-dozen poetry craft books in a desperate search for craft essays that would convince students of the importance of revision. Found it here. Particularly helpful chapters for helping students learn how to undertake large-scale revision of their poems (such a difficult thing to teach!) include:

Chapter 22: "Metaphor 1: The Shimmer"
Chapter 24: "A Bag of Tricks"
Chapter 30: "A Poem You Love: Close Reading"
Chapter 34: "Do-Overs and Revisions"

One section begins, brilliantly, with KA telling the reader that unless they learn to love revision, "How can I put this delicately? Your poems will suck." Exactly.

[Sigrun Hodne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of this book is basic, some (well trained and/or clever poets ...) will probably find it too basic, but there is lots of very interesting stuff in between. Addonizio has a direct and intimate voice, giving the reader-writer useful and practical advices, and also - at least in my case - confidence. A great workbook - I like it!
http://omstreifer.wordpress.com/2013/...

[Beth Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, wonderful book for just about any writer, not just poets.

[Joan Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the prompts and exercises offered are ones I’ve used over years of teaching. Thus, while I didn’t gather much news from this well-written and researched book, I’d advocate it strongly for those just entering the teaching of poetry and those who are neophytes in the writing of it.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

great for beginners! great prompts, but so much emphasis on older poetry *vomit*

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for teachers, poets, writers, and anyone wanting to understand or write poetry.

[Donald Owens II · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful guide to the whole spectrum of poem types with abundant assignment ideas to practice writing on your own.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words as Tools

Addonizio, Kim (2009). Ordinary genius: A guide for the poet within. New York: W.W.Norton.

Poet Addonizio describes her process of creating poetry, supplemented with description of other possible methods, and plenty of fine examples of poetry. There are good discussions of how to observe keenly, working with metaphor and humor, making use of fairy tales and myths, mastering meter, and the process of revision. It’s all solid, well-articulated advice, none of it too simple for even the most experienced poet.

I am intimidated by poetry. I thought if I had a better understanding of the craft of writing poetry, it would help my fiction writing. That strategy was only partially successful. I can see that I am no poet and never will be, because I simply do not share the author’s fascination with words for their own sake. I like ideas. Words are tools. What I wanted to know is how to find better words for the ideas. Perhaps that is something that cannot be taught.

There are many excellent exercises, examples, and suggested readings that make the book highly worthwhile for any fiction writer. These, and the plentiful examples, did demystify poetry considerably for me.

When it comes to the crucial question of how, or from where, do you get the fur on the ball-turret gunner, there is no clue. Perhaps that can only come from poetic genius, whereas this book is about ordinary genius.

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner
Randall Jarrell
From my mother's sleep I fell into the State,
And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze.
Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life,
I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters.
When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.

[Gerry LaFemina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Addonizio's poems and regularly use the book she co-wrote with Dorianne Laux in my poetry workshops, this book, sadly, was more ordinary than genius, but that might be because I'm not its intended audience. For a much more beginner poet this might give them the encouragement and the foundation they need to write.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addonizio gives detailed examples with critique and explanation throughout this book. She uses classic poetry as well as modern to illustrate her points.The writing exercises are plentiful. She shares her own process for revision, and encourages poets to also read widely.

[Kateri Ewing · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might be a good companion for someone just beginning to write poetry, or to become a reader of poetry. It felt a little juvenile at times and was less substantive than many other books on writing that I have enjoyed.

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid, textbook manual on how to write poetry, and how to appreciate its craft. I found the personal narrative to be completely white centric, focusing on mundane subjects rather than how to delve deeply in the craft.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read The Poet’s Companion, I was initially excited to read Ordinary Genius. I was savoring hearing juicy advice and striking prompts rife with warm-hearted humor. However, the more I read, the more that my enthusiasm waned away

This isn’t a bad book, by any means. Kim Addonizio’s writing is warm and familiar. She disperses personal anecdotes about her life and experiences writing throughout, making her writing feel conversational. As a result, she feels like a kindly mentor rather than an authoritarian, which is beneficial for a poetry advice book. Nothing’s more threatening as a beginning writer than being barked at and made to feel like you’re dumb for being new to writing.

There are also some humorous bits that made me chuckle. My particular favorite has to be the line: “Poetry is a bitch” (Addonizio 57). Parts like that really make this book feel down-to-earth and for me, at least, show the human behind the pages. Swear words will never not be funny to me, especially when paired with a subject like poetry—which people often think of as being all proper and formal when it can be (and should be, in my opinion) the exact opposite.

The strongest part of Ordinary Genius is easily the fourth section where Addonizio gives advice on the business of poetry: reading it, revising your poems, sharing them–whether it’s reading them aloud or trying to publish them in a literary journal. She formats her advice for revision and close-reading as a list, which provides plenty of options for analysis and revision. In addition, she explains each piece of advice in great detail, making it easier to see where she’s coming from.

However, Ordinary Genius falters in the writing prompts. Most of the prompts in this book feel generic and lean towards safety rather than innovation. None of the prompts really grabbed me the same way they did while I read The Poet’s Companion. They just didn’t have that same original and artistic energy. So many of the prompts are so generic that they could easily be found online on some random site giving the same tired writing prompts. Many of them operate from very typical societal-mindsets: for instance, the sheer number of prompts that are romance-coded. As someone who writes on feminist themes a lot, the chapter on gender was especially disappointing in this. This book’s age really shows in this chapter. It has a very heteronormative approach to gender and sexuality. I think that Addonizio means well, but it comes off like a cishet person throwing around terms and concepts to show their progressiveness while inadvertently failing to be truly inclusive. There were a couple of gems, such as the one in the “start from language” section, but they were far and few.

This book also has the depth of a tide pool. Much of what she talks about in this book—I’ve learned about in previous creative writing classes. I’ve also been consistently writing poetry since 2022. Reading this book was constant deja-vu and not in the “wow, how amazing!” way, but the “*yawn* way. Addonizio pitches the same writing advice as everyone else and then doesn’t give sufficient depth in a way that could have at least enhanced my understanding or given me a new perspective. The advice she gives will only be striking if you’re a beginner. If you’re at least somewhat experienced in poetry like me, then what you read in this book will be nothing new.

Overall, this book is a mediocre rehash of The Poet’s Companion. It’s an okay book if you’re new to writing poetry, but even then, this wouldn’t be the first book that I would recommend. The Poet’s Companion does the same things as Ordinary Genius but better.

[Max Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many people (I assume), I read this in addition to The Poet's Companion. It probably deserves to be reviewed in its own right, but being that I approached this as essentially a continuation of the Companion, I'll review it as such.

Generally, I thought it was a better book. Addonizio is a great writer, and the whole time I felt like I was getting earnest and caring advice from somebody invested in my future. It felt a bit more personal, while the Companion was more of a clinical instruction guide. The latter may be more useful, if you can only read one book or the other. And if somebody came to me and asked for one book they could read to get started on poetry, I'd probably give them the Poet's Companion. That being said, this one is definitely my preference. I got more out of it, I think, but only because of the foundational understanding established in the companion. That isn't to say that this is more advanced or a direct sequel, just that I was more willing to explore the emotional meaning of being a poet once I felt comfortable with the nuts and bolts. It's just how I am, and how many probably feel given the intimidating nature of starting poetry.

The writing exercises weren't quite as helpful, I think, but they were still good. I obviously didn't do all of the offered practices, but the ones I did were fine. The sections of rhythm and revision were particularly helpful, while the parts on publishing seemed to cover very little ground beyond what was already talked about (in more depth) within the Poet's Companion.

In terms of actual "readability" as a book, beyond it's helpfulness, I thought it did well. I surged through the first 150 pages or so in a day, and then lagged a bit in the latter half. Part of this is that the latter sections contained more integral stuff for me, so I was taking notes and pictures and marking poets I wanted to check out. But it's also because the book begins with a genuinely warming introduction that really gave me energy to chew through the whole book. That energy wasn't entirely sustained, but that didn't prevent me from continuing to be interested.

This is probably too long of a review. You should read this if you're on this page checking it out. I assume anyone with interest is trying to become a poet, or is on the fence about it. If so, this is worth checking out in addition to the Poet's Companion. If you have to pick one, it really depends on what you're looking for (read both).

[Diana Raab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic was published in 2009 and is still one of my very favorites, plus I love the title. I've picked up this book on occasion simply for a shot of inspiration. It has so many offerings for all levels of poets. The author claims that "your genius" is your own profound desire to write.

I always begin my poems with a title, but I haven't heard many poets speak about this. Addonizio is one of the first. As she says, "Titles draw us in even before first lines." Personally, the title also guides the direction of my poems. In addition to offering many writing prompts, the author says that when reading and studying poetry, it's important to listen to the silence at the end of each line. "Look at the white space surrounding the words" (p. 66). I love that!

Addonizio also talks about writing about one's demons, which happens a lot among poets. "Everyone has demons," she writes. It's so true that the shadow and the light are within us, and the trick is to get it onto the page. Happy writing to all of you!

[BookChampions · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may have taken me two months to get through this book, but that bears no light on the tremendous wealth this book contains. It's better than any textbook could possibly be on writing poetry, and it's a better guide to teaching poetry than anything I've read because it treats poetry as an art accessible to everyone and the reader (and potential teacher) as a poet as well.

I hate dog-earring pages but I couldn't help myself with this one. There were too many lessons I wanted to add to my teaching next year. Kim Addonizio helps me get closer to proving that students shouldn't just be writing literary analysis essay nor should we hold poetry up as some creative side-project somehow impossible to assess. This is an essential, wonderful book—and kind of a revelation since I simply stumbled upon this book in a stack of paperbacks at a teaching conference. Why aren't more people talking about Ordinary Genius?

For now, this is long-term bedside material.

[Alexander Dunford | Writer | Artist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I found this book fascinating. I had very little knowledge of what made good or bad poetry before reading this. For example, I never knew the rhythm underneath the iambic pentameter and so much more. Am I a poet? No, but I do want to appreciate it more, and I enjoy writing it. Much of what Kim covers can be adapted to my creative writing—which I study—pursuits.

This book is a must-read for those curious about writing poetry, or like me, who wanted to have a superficial understanding of the craft before turning in a poem for my writing class. However, after reading this book, you will have quite the sophisticated understanding of how poetry works. It is worth buying!

The book is, also, replete with great examples. I do think even the most accomplished poets will enjoy this book.

I definitely recommend it to my fellow creatives.

Happy Reading,
www.w-alexander.com

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathe in, Breathe out

Alot of writing books are heavy on pep talks or the physical act of sitting down and writing. Or they have the best stuff in the first half.

This isn't one those books.

The book builds the reader with a host of excersizes and examples.

I found new forms like the American Sentence Blues Poem, and Pantoum. I have enough excersizes to keep busy all year. I have new websites like postsecrets and addictionZ to bring out the pain.

Addonizio save the hardest part - meter for last, so I was ready for it.

I read her memior Bukowski in a Sundress and collection Mortal Trash. My favorite poem is Florida.

[Erin Matson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible and encouraging, Kim Addonizio trusts readers with hard truths and their ability to be poets. If you are new to writing poetry and want someone to explain the basics to you before you dive in, this is not the best book to get you started. But if you are new (or seasoned) to writing poetry and have an itch to learn by doing with support — ideas, kickstarters, processes — this is great. My favorite quote from the book is applicable to writers of all genres: “Revision separates the professionals from the amateurs and wannabes” (273).

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like these are pretty diffuse, where you hope somewhere along the way you get enough fizzy and fun ideas that a) you put down the book to write something and b) come back for more. This one had enough in it for me to read all the way through, even though some chapters didn't do much for me. But in the end, I have a page of so of tightly spaced notes and an intention to go back to this and mine it for more good stuff....

[Christian Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was required reading for a Creative Writing course i took in college. Took me about 3 hours to skim read and another 3 to write notes about it. So in all, I read this book twice, skimmed and reflective. It covers the beginner and intermediate tasks for writers (focusing on poets). It has one chapter I absolutely hate, on white fragility and whiteness, and its the reason the book isn't rated a 5 by me. If she removed that chapter this book would be 4.7 or higher IMO.

[spike シ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kim Addonizio, she's an excellent writer + poet. Bukowski in a dress indeed. She's fun and not boring, and her approach to poetry is all that. she doesn't tell you this is wrong, you're wrong, you're doing it wrong and try to dissuade you or turn it into a IQ test. She gets you revved up and treats it like its fun sexytime, not obligatory sexytime. Great read if you want to get in on the action or refine your present skills (or lack thereof).

[Stefani Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that's nice. I was writing a meaningful review when suddenly my program fritzed out on me and closed my browser. Thanks to Goodreads not saving ongoing work, the review is gone, and I simply cannot be arsed to redo it. Let's just say this book makes me want to work more on writing again and leave it at that.