Not Feathers Yet: A Beginner's Guide to the Poetic Life

by Lola Haskins

A practical guide to the poet's life, including chapters on getting published, finding your own writing style, learning how to lead the life of a poet, by an award-winning, self-taught, and widely published poet.

Genres: Poetry

152 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2007

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful for a beginning writers who might not know much about poetry (it'd be excellent for a creative writing class). There's even exercises and writing assignments at the end of each chapter, and in general it covers a lot of ground (approach, how to practice and be disciplined, how to conceptualize longer pieces and books, how to publish...). It's also good for more experienced writers, since reading this is just like having a great conversation about writing with one of your friends. I mean, even if we already know that "being a poet is a way of living in the world," it's nice to be reminded. This point on voice and risk-taking especially resonates with me: "The trouble [with "blending in" and following trends rather than making your own voice:] is, if you do that, no one will remember you, not even yourself." Love that!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone interested in writing poetry, from the novice to the more experienced. I had the pleasure of attending a workshop facilitated by Lola Haskins, and it was one of the most valuable writing experiences I've had. In person and in this book, she discusses poetry in realistic terms, not in the abstract. This book is about the nuts and bolts of inspiration, editing, poetry readings, getting published, and everything in between. This is not about creating the unapproachable poetry of high school English classes; it's about creating poetry that makes people feel something and being a poet in everything you do.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are enough valuable essays in this collection--on the importance of reading, on the revision process, etc.--that I am considering assigning the whole book to my intro. to poetry class this fall. The essays are approachable, take on several topics that are important to an intro class, and use nice language, driving home points from another voice--other than the teacher saying, do this, do that, I have a backer in the form of these fairly practical essays.

[Susan Meyers]

Especially helpful for a newly emerging poet.