Writing Poetry: Where Poems Come from and How to Write Them

by David K. Kirby

Genres: Writing, Poetry, Nonfiction

106 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Book2Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good primer on writing poetry. Poems included as illustrations, some by the author, some by his students (very good too) and some by established poets.
It gets a bit dry at times, maybe technical; which is interesting after he spends a chapter promoting free verse and poetry without rules. But he justifies it in the end, and I suppose he is right. There is a glossary which is outstanding, and an index, which is helpful; and exercises.
I plan to spend more time with the ideas in this book if I can slow down from reading others long enough. Probably a good reference book.
Recommend for writers: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Woolridge. Also, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some excellent tips for teaching poetry writing and for writing your own poems.