Writing Poems

by Peter Sansom Peter

Drawing on his extensive experience of poetry workshops and courses, Peter Sansom shows you not how to write but how to write better, how to write authentically, how to say genuinely what you genuinely mean to say. This practical guide is illustrated with many examples. Peter Sansom covers such areas as submitting to magazines; the small presses; analysing poems; writing techniques and procedures; and drafting. He includes brief resumes and discussions of literary history and literary fashions, the spirit of the age, and the creative process itself. Above all, his book helps you learn discrimination in your reading and writing - so that you can decide for yourself how you want your work to develop, whether that magazine was right in returning it or if they simply don't know their poetic arse from their elbow. Writing Poems includes sections Metre, rhyme, half-rhyme and free verse. Fixed forms and how to use them. Workshops and writing groups. Writing games and exercises. A detailed, annotated reading list. Where to go from here. Glossary of technical terms. Writing Poems has become an essential handbook for many poets and invaluable to writers just starting out, helpful to poets who need a nuts-and-bolts handbook, a godsend to anyone running poetry courses and workshops, and an inspiration to all readers and writers who want a book which re-examines the writing of poems.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Writing, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

Reviews

[Nikki Magennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally, I started this book at the back and immediately was confronted with a fairly savage and sneering attack on haiku and tanka. I always find it odd when writers feel the need to tear down a genre/form that is outside their sphere of experience, and from the cursory description Sansom gives of these forms it seems clear that he has little knowledge of what he is so derisive of. In fact, this book is very rooted in British influences, which makes a nice change from the avalanche of books which are US centric, but then again, it could still be broader and more inclusive. Bluntly, it could be a bit humbler.

It *is* refreshing to read something that is irreverent about poetry, while still taking it seriously as a form. Still, while I enjoy teasing and witty putdowns as much as the next passive aggressive two-faced bitch, I find too much of this attitude in a book can tend to lapse into an exercise in the author showing off their cleverness, instead of paying attention to subtleties and depths in the bigger picture.

There we go - I've only just started it and I'm already arguing with the silent author. Must be a book worth reading.

Update:

The author provides one of the best and fullest explanations of metre I've yet read. He then goes on to cast aspersions on what seems like every form of poetry out there. Yes, sometimes this is funny, but overall I was left with a bitter aftertaste and the sudden wilting of any desire to actually write anything. A useful and informed read, with some fabulous thoughts on poetry, but sadly marred by what came across as a general undercurrent of distaste.

[S.B. Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my poetry practice last year and this year was reading more poetry and reading more about poetry. Peter Sansom is a noted English poet and teacher of poetry. His Writing Poems was published in the mid nineties, making this book 20 years old and you may well question the relevance of a text two decades out of date.

Thankfully, much of what Sansom has to say is relevant to an emerging poet today. It’s relevance and applicability no doubt contributed to Bloodaxe Books decision to create it in ebook from in 2011.

Writing Poems is approachable, conversational in tone; a read enjoyable outside the information and opinion it attempts to pass on. How relevant it is to the poet seeking to refine their craft will depend on individual experience. I found the first three chapters full of timely reminders for myself, the later chapters on forms less relevant - the information here is widely available, though Sansom’s observations are entertaining and informative.

Looking back over the table of contents Writing Poems seems to break into two parts. The first half deals with why we write poetry and how we should approach the writing of poetry, the later part focuses on mechanics.

What I take away from the work is a focus on discernment, increasing my own experience through reading and writing - building a sense of knowing what might be good about my own work. Building the capability to recognise whether a poem is being knocked back from publication because it doesn’t fit, or because the poem is lacking.

The information on the technical aspects of both form poetry and free verse are helpful, though I still find Stephen Fry’s Ode Less Travelled the best text I have read for getting iambic pentameter drumming in your ear.

Could a beginner pick this up and enjoy it? Yes I think so, the tone is approachable and the technical details supported by a variety of modern examples. I also think there’s a good deal of value for those, like myself who have had some small success and struggle with refining their work and producing something of more lasting value.

[Arnau Bertran Manyé]

He has a very zany way of writing! I truly enjoyed this read - an excellent introduction to writing poems with great advice.

[Peter Longden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing Poems is a useful reference book for anyone taking on ‘poetry’ as a craft. The first chapters are a polite reminder to anyone, like me, exploring ‘poetry’ as a craft.
The latter part describes the many variations of poetry and is probably not as accessible as it describes forms, rhyming schemes and iambic pentameter - possibly more for the scholar than the amateur scribe, though, again, it the later chapters did remind me of forms that I have tried and would use again: triolet and terza rima, (the latter said to have been invented by Dante).
Samson has a conversational tone in his writing with the effect that the first chapters are easy on the eye while later chapters become very technical, through which we see he clearly knows his stuff.
It will be, for me, one of those books on my poetry shelf to become a reference guide, should I need it, alongside Stephen Fry’s ‘An Ode Less Travelled’.

[Javi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a very useful book in a lot of ways, even if I wasn't the biggest fan of lots of the example poems. It's strange how clearly dated it is too (then 'up-and-coming' poets like Simon Armitage and Carol Ann Duffy are now elder statespeople of the poetry world). I've decided I'm gonna be more of a poet anyway, now, so watch this space / world domination / here I come.

[Simon Beechinor · Rating 2 out of 5]

A handy book though I preferred Stephen Fry's "Ode Less Travelled". I found Sansom's sneering remarks at some 'types' of amateur poets to be unnecessary and grating. Professional snobbery is alive and well in the poetry business.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having attended a writing workshop held by Peter Sansom it was a privilege to hear his voice in this book.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference guide to someone who dabbles in writing poetry. And a book that one can use as a reference book, frequently revisiting to refresh ones ideas and way to approach things

[Kaja Wojtkowska · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Helpful and entertaining, with good examples and an easy to read, conversational tone. Surprised it isn't more popular.

[Harold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to write poems, this was pretty alright to start.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was recommended to read this little
Book by a tutor on my writing course - I have to say I just didn't get on with it that well on first reading. I found a lot of it pretty contradictory and the style in the large first section on writing that's 'true' a bit unclear. I also have read far clearer discussions of metre and form elsewhere. Agree with him about haiku though (and about writing that's true to yourself). His advice on getting published and his list of resources are very useful.

[Rosamund Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though it was published in 1996, the majority of this book does not come across as dated. In the workshops and getting published section, the lack of mention of websites is noticeable, and to a current reader, amusing, but otherwise the discussions of modern poetry, of what makes poems work, and the close-readings, are well-crafted, illuminating and enjoyable to read. This book is very worthwhile and I will certainly come back to it again and again, even though Sansom and I disagree at times.

[Kate Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a "suggested" book on my university reading list: i.e. no one told us we *had* to read it. However, being the poetry geek that I am, I did.

There is a lot of what seems like conflicting advice here, but Writing Poems is a thought-provoking (and easy to understand!) guide to keep around. Particularly enjoyed the section on forms, as it's fairly concise and written with humour.

[Marion Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book useful for my studies. It was one of the core course books. I would recommend this book as it has useful essays on poetry writing as well as information on planning to write one's poems. It has information on different forms of poems. It has useful information on stuff like metre etc, which was really helpful personally.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit difficult to follow at times because of the style it is written in. He had some interesting insights but nothing was earth shattering.

[Kenneth Lambie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful and concise book with some great observations and tips in it.