The Practicing Poet: Writing Beyond the Basics

by Diane Lockward

                 The Practicing Writing Beyond the Basics                Named a Best Book for Writers by Poets & Writers  
Organized into ten sections with each devoted to a poetic concept, The Practicing Poet begins with "Discovering New Material," "Finding the Best Words," "Making Music," "Working with Sentences and Line Breaks," "Crafting Surprise," and "Achieving Tone." The concepts become progressively more sophisticated, moving on to "Dealing with Feelings," "Transforming Your Poems," and "Rethinking and Revising." The final section, "Publishing Your Book," covers manuscript organization, book promotion, and presentation of a good public reading.

The book includes thirty brief craft essays, each followed by a model poem and analysis of the poem's craft, then a prompt based on the poem. Ten recyclable bonus prompts are also included. Ten Top Tips lists are each loaded with poetry wisdom from an accomplished poet.

The Practicing Poet pushes poets beyond the basics and encourages the continued reading, learning, and writing of poetry. It is suitable as a textbook in the classroom, a guidebook in a workshop, or an at-home tutorial for the practicing poet working independently.

The craft essays, poems, and top tips lists include the work of 113 contemporary poets.

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction, Teaching

403 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

Diane Lockward is the editor of The Strategic Poet: Honing Your Craft as well as the editor of The Practicing Poet, The Crafty Poet II, and The Crafty Poet II. She is also the author of four poetry books, most recently The Uneaten Carrots of Atonement. Her previous books are Temptation by Water, What Feeds Us, which received the 2006 Quentin R. Howard Poetry Prize, and Eve's Red Dress (2003). Her poems have been published in several anthologies and in such journals as the Harvard Review, Spoon River Poetry Review, and Prairie Schooner. Her work has also been featured on Poetry Daily, Verse Daily, The Writers Almanac., and Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry. She lives in northern New Jersey and can be contacted at her website.

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you dread free writes? Are you, like me, a writer who comes out of a workshop where you are given a statement prompt with a blank piece of paper? Diane Lockward’s craft books are definitely for you, as well as for any other poet who wants to improve and enhance their craft. Although slanted toward those who write poetry, this book would also be useful for poetry lovers who want to understand the intricacies of the poetry they read.This is the third she’s published, and I truly believe that each one is more comprehensive than the one before. Lockward uses the word prompt in her book, but I prefer to call them exercises. She takes a poem, dissects it into what aspects of craft make that poem work, explains why it works, and gives clear instructions for us to follow. She also includes sample poems written to the instructions.

I avoid free writes, frequently finding that the only thing I write is my grocery list. I have a bookcase full of poetry craft books, and Lockward’s are the ones I find the most useful. I rave about them to members of my writing critique group. Several of the poems I’ve written from Lockward’s books have been published.

I could fill this review with cliches and hyperbole, but I know it would make Diane cringe. So let me end with this: Buy this book.

[Mary Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was our textbook for my beginning Creative Writing class. I’ve never read a book like this with prompts, examples, and advice on the art and craft poetry. I’m interested in going back and trying more of the prompts that I did not try. I earmarked my favorite poems and highlighted my “hells yeah!” advice, which largely consisted of daring greatly in poetry. Definitely going to keep this book for future reference and prompts.
Here are some poetry favorites:
Absolute favorite poem of this semester was John Murillo’s “Variation on a Theme by Elizabeth Bishop”. “Lose and lose again. Lose like it’s second nature.” Those lines are going to haunt me, in the best way possible.
Juliana Gray’s “Maraschino”
Jenna Rindo’s “Divorce Touch”
Maggie Dietz’s “April Incantation”
Danielle Seller’s “Epithalamion for the Long Dead” (learned that the word epithalamion is a poem about a marriage!)
This Jane Kenyon quote “If it’s darkness we’re having, let it be extravagant.” YAS!!!
Roger Camp’s “Baby on a Train”
Jeanne Marie Beaumont’s “Portrait with Closed Eyes”

There are so many more poems and prompts. Looking forward to continue to explore this further.

[Alarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all three of Lockward’s poetry handbooks. I’ve recommended them, given them as gifts, and rated them five stars apiece. Each book deserves about 50, because they’re more valuable than at least 10 other writing handbooks on the market. This is why it takes me a few months to read them, even though I do very few of the exercises. I treat them as reference books, and go back to them whenever I’m stuck.

I prefer to read one section or two, then stop to digest them. Some of the techniques I’ve picked up have become part of my regular writing process. No one can believably claim writer’s block if they have one of Lockward’s books at hand. Simply reading the wonderful poems gives me ideas. I was lazy about writing during the holiday bustle, but still found myself putting this book down because I HAD TO WRITE.

There’s something for everyone (probably because she gathers tips from everyone). I recommend it to beginner poets, experienced poets, and readers who enjoy reading poetry or want to understand it better. This is Poetry Appreciation at its finest. Now that I do have more poetry credentials, it’s a thrill to read tips from my favorite poets and think, “Exactly what I’d say.” A good poet never stops learning and growing, and Lockward helps us do that.

[Scott Wiggerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time with this book, a few pages at a time, no more than a dozen a week, and perhaps that's why I enjoyed it even more than the two previous craft books edited by Diane Lockward (which is not to imply that I didn't enjoy them!). But this one . . . the craft tips were often inspired (Maggie Smith, Ellen Bass, Traci Brimhall, Campbell McGrath) and novel, especially for someone who's read and edited craft books on poetry for decades. And the poems in this book seemed a notch above previous Crafty Poet poems, not just the Prompt poems but the Sample poems; these are not throwaways, but solid poems that made reading The Practicing Poet like reading an anthology, a mix of poets I knew (Penny Harter, Martha Silano, etc.) and poets I need to know better (William Greenfield, Betsy Sholl, etc.). Maybe it's the slower approach I took to this book, but I think Diane Lockward has outdone herself with this volume of craft essays! Highly recommended!

[Donald Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great stimulus.....

One of my criteria for a book on how to write poetry is how well it stimulates me to not only write but to open new ways of thinking about my poems. This book does both. As I read each section my brain could not help think of new poems but challenged me to re-examine some of my older work.
This is a practical, as the title implies, workbook on writing poetry and takes the poet into areas other books may not. My only negative criticism is that it ignores the aspect of self-publishing.
Highly recommend this for not only novice poets but for anyone who may need a fresh approach to the genre.
This one gets five stars.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be dipping back in this frequently. I’ve already written 12 new poems using the prompts in this book. Wonderful essays and exercises for writing poetry.

[Tandava Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this is a collection of short chapters by various poets, it’s naturally a bit variable in quality, and occasionally a bit repetitive. But a lot of them prompted interesting and useful ideas for me. The sample poems were good, and the brief discussions of them pointed out features of interest without going into much depth. The poetry prompts that followed each one were basically instructions to copy the sample poem, so I stopped reading those, as well as the sample student poems that followed the prompts, since those kinds of exercises don’t seem very magnetic if you’ve just read the original they’re imitating. I also only skimmed the last section, since I'm not that interested in publishing a book.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical and helpful book for those who write poetry. The subtitle - "writing Beyond the Basics" - describes the intent. This is not so much for beginners, as working writers. Lockward edited this, but the authors within are many, and they bring their own hints and advice - sometimes contradicting each other. That's helpful. Here are the pros, telling you how its done - well, how they do it. Even more helpful is the organization - a) A focused chapter has a starter poem, b) a practice assignment for a poem of your own, c) Prompts to bring out new stuff from you, and d) Sample Poems of others to illustrate what the author is trying to teach. The book is a classroom in itself.

[Blessing Oladeji · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treasure for poets at any stage! The Practicing Poet isn’t just a book; it’s a mentor, a workshop, and a lifelong guide rolled into one. Each section unfolds with care, offering sharp insights, powerful poems, and prompts that actually spark new work. I found myself growing not just in skill, but in confidence.

The blend of craft, inspiration, and practical advice; especially the Top Tips from 113 poets, is both generous and motivating. Whether you're revising a poem or dreaming of your first book, this is the resource you'll return to again and again.

Thank you for creating a book that truly honors the poet’s journey.

[Luanne Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane Lockward’s The Practicing Poet is an inspiration to the poet. Whether one is emerging or experienced, the craft tips, writing prompts, and sample poems offer a reliable muse and mentor. As soon as I got my book copy, I began a writing marathon, using the sections as springboards for my new work. The Practicing Poet is another fine book from the same lineage as The Crafty Poet and The Crafty Poet II. I am so grateful for this wonderful book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This followup to Lockward’s two Crafty Poet books offers the same gold mine of prompts, sample poems and advice for poets. I have used many of the prompts to write some pretty good poems. This book goes into publishing and the business of writing a bit more, but honestly I’d rather have more poems and prompts. It has taken me well over a year to get through this book because it’s not a book you read; it’s a book you do.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for writing inspiration, this is great. It has prompts at the end of each craft tip, and a lot of the tips are good!

The title is exactly as stated;this is beyond basic building blocks (alliteration unintentional). If you know the foundations of poetry already, then you should be okay, but I wouldn't recommend this if you're just starting out.

[Gabri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that really helped improve my poems.

I learnt a lot from the insights and tips in each chapter (each one written by a different poet), but I got even more out of it by writing poems based on the prompts at the end of each chapter.

I tend to be stubborn and usually stick to the prompts that appeal to me, but I pushed myself to try others.
Surprisingly, the poems I wrote from prompts I was initially sceptical about are now some of my best works.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[jacqueline m urquhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Putting Your Thumb in the Pie

Wanting to hear the how to from those who have done it. I read this guidebook in two sittings. Now for the hard part of taking all this gold and molding something of value. If I succeed, I will give it a five star.

[Bonnie Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend who is a poetry professor recommended this book as a primer for good poetry writing. I pick it up weekly and play with a different exercise. Powerful book. Recommend for friends interested in writing poetry.

[Laura Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with lots of great information for a practicing poet. I enjoyed it so much that I returned my public library book and purchased a copy for my personal library - not something I do often

[Chrissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While brief, this contains several interesting exercises and helpful suggestions regarding editing.

[Penelope Przekop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I'd been searching for ...

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. What an amazing wealth of knowledge in this book