How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with Prompts

by Christoper Salerno, Kelsea Habecker

A poetry journal for those looking to improve their art
Nourish your poetic soul with this instructive and inspiring journal. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking ways to expand your skills, How to Write Poetry is a poetry journal designed to nurture creativity and deepen your understanding of this age-old literary tradition.
Discover lessons on everything from crafting evocative imagery to exploring the nuances of rhythm and meter―all while immersing yourself in related readings that reinforce your connection to the instruction. Put your knowledge into practice with dozens of original, enriching prompts meant to jump-start a ritual of poetry writing. No matter where you are on your journey, this poetry journal will help you unleash your artistic voice.
This how-to poetry journal helps teach with:
* A poetic primer―Go from basic to more advanced techniques with descriptive instructions that provide comprehensive guidance.
* Practice makes perfect―Hone your skills with thought-provoking prompts and blank pages that encourage you to try what you’ve learned.
* Finishing touches―This poetry journal contains expert advice for revising your poems, as well as a list of respected publications you can submit your completed works to.
Expand your knowledge and broaden your skills with a poetry journal that teaches you how to find your voice and share your passion.

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Reference

168 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guided journal for writing poetry is a great resource for those who are interested in trying to write poetry but don't know where to start. The book offers 26 topics that relate to either techniques or themes. Each topic is covered in two pages, which includes prompts for exercises. This is followed by four pages (sometimes three pages) for the reader to work on the prompts and create their own poetry.

Since the topics are covered in only two pages, the explanations are brief, so don't expect there to be in depth analysis of the topics. Also, there is only a small excerpt for each topic. There are recommended poems to read for each topic, but it is up to the reader to find those outside of the book.

Something that I really liked about this book is that it also includes a section at the end of the book that tells readers where they can submit their poetry for publication. The journals and magazines covered are those that are open to publishing poetry by newcomers. That could give readers some motivation to write poetry if they feel that there is a chance that the world might see it.

All in all, this would be an excellent gift for someone who dabbles in writing or who is thinking of starting to write poetry.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from Callisto Publishers Club
My first five star read of 2020! Yay! I'm not much for writing poetry, but I really enjoy reading it. This book helped me to better understand the different literary devices used in poetry and also improve on my previous knowledge. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in writing poetry, whether a beginner or a seasoned poet. You can find my full review here: https://briannasbooksandrandomness.wo...
Overall Rating: 5 Stars

[Renee Knoblauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever wanted to write poetry this book will guide might help guide and inspire you. This would be a good tool for someone wanting to learn some basics about writing their own poetry or even someone who already is writing poetry and looking for inspiration.

There are 26 themes, recommended readings, samples of poetry on each of the 26 themes, a description of the themes, and prompts.This is also a journal for you write down your poetry. There is a decent amount of space provided with each page having a pretty light green/blue green designs bordering each page.

The first 20 themes are “tools of the trade” with creative writing. The last 6 are “approaches to poetry.”

The layout for all 26 themes starts out with names of 3 poems for you to look up by name and author. Each one of these poems can be found online.

After that you have a sentence or two from a poem around the theme. There is more information to guide you. It could be using rhyming words, organizational structure of a poem in a line and not a sentence, mood of the poem, and much more.

There are “assignments” like write two poems about impending weather or imagine standing in for of a vast landscape in the natural word.

In the back of the book are several resources: Common Poetic Terms, Revisiting your Work, Where to Submit Your Work, Poetry Library Resources, and additional Resources.

I received a copy of this product from Callisto Publisher's in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent poetry writing manual for someone who doesn't want to get bogged down in wordy lessons. Each chapter starts off with a list of three poems you need to find on the internet and read, then a two to three paragraph theme lesson, and finally a two to four writing assignment list. There's even lined pages at the end of the chapter for those who still write by pen or pencil. At the end of the book are common poetic terms, two pages of revision suggestions, a list of 20 publications where you can submit your poems, a bibliography of 24 items, and a list of 15 additional poetry resources.

P.S. If you are having trouble saying what you want to say, you might also get Writing the Natural Way: Turn the Task of Writing into the Joy of Writing by Gabriele Rico. She teaches a free association writing method that really helps in reaching inside your brain for thoughts and memories. Her method may help you more easily do the assignments in this book.

(Note: I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine.)

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked How to Write Poetry at a writer's conference and am glad I did. As a romance writer, I figured it would be fun. Especially because I dabble in Haiku and Elfchen poetry. This book has walked me through some hard times and loss. The only thing I didn't care for were examples of poetry with foul language and the F word. I find them offensive and crude. But there were other examples that fueled my creativity, and I didn't have to cringe. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was very informative, taught me the different styles of poetry, and lent me a space to jot down my attempts.

[Weslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent beginners guide to poetry. The prompts reminding me of some of the workshops I participated in when I was in college. I think anyone, newbie or experienced, can get some use out of this journal.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[T M. Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book to review.
The book is well played out with each topic clearly defined, examples of familiar pieces of work, prompts and areas to write. This would be an excellent tool for students taking highschool English or young poets looking for inspiration.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

The book has a few ideas and a lot of space to write or practice for yourself. It's to the point and informative.

[brightredglow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I imagine that I'll be working on this into the next year, but I've at least read through it.

It is challenging and interesting. One of the better guided journals that I have.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful, consise, and thoughtful journey into poetry. It truly feels like the authors are beside you, cheering you on and gently nudging you forward 💕

[Tom Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to read, but a primer to revel in. Allow your imaginative juices to flood your mental synapses and relish the uniqueness which only you can create. As the authors point out, “Ultimately, poetry is about movement. In writing a poem, we move forward in the poetic line, we move down the page, we move inward toward the self, and then back outward into the world.”

They go on to say, “The best poems tend to have some characteristics in common; exploring those features and what they might open up is what this book is all about.”

Ultimately, it’s all about you and what flows from your inner “you”. The authors’ goals are summed up in they say, “We believe that, guided by this book, you’ll experience first-hand the unique ways writing poetry can encourage self-reflection, inspire a habit of artistic expression, and enrich your life.”

Actually, that last seems to be the real reason for this book. Because by enriching our lives with this book, they in turn deepen their own and together we enrich the world. My reason for requesting this book was to be able to once again find joy in my own poetic expression. I trust that each you will do so as well, guided by this remarkable tome.

Upon request the publisher sent me a copy of the book to review.