We all have lines from other poets inside us, their voices, narrative or lyrical styles, and syntactical qualities that make their work unique, and loved by us. And we read or know about lives of poets whom we identify with or maybe don't, in their biographies finding a […]
Why do you read poetry? This question might seem a bit odd, doesn't it? I mean, why am I even asking good poets like you such an insane question? People aren't just called poets for nothing. If anyone ever called you a poet it is because you write […]
One of my favorite ancient sites in the American Southwest is Tuzigoot, a pueblo ruin located in Arizona's Verde Valley. Resting atop a 120 foot limestone ridge, which provided the white stones used to construct the pueblo's many rooms and multistory central tower, Tuzigoot stands against the sky, […]
Networking is often a confusing task, especially for writers who aren't currently enrolled in an MFA program, but meeting other writers can be a wonderful thing. Artistic connections keep us from feeling isolated, they can help us filter industry information, provide feedback as critique partners, help us bravely […]
Like the advice from school teachers to ask your question because someone else, probably, has the same question but is afraid to ask; writing in your own voice can be a frightening thought. The fear of being laughed at and embarrassed is enough to stop many people. […]
As poets we write about topics that matter to us. These topics might be anything: race horses, the nature of the divine, our lover's hands, caterpillars, environmental degradation, or jazz trombone. And then there's always that one huge, delicate, and potentially difficult topic: family. How honest can we […]
Excellent tips in this article by fellow poet and blogger Erika Dreifus on the AWP web site last month. She reflects on her experience tracking funds she received for poetry submissions in 2016 while participating in Jessica Piazza's Poetry Has Value project and provides the five ways she learned to […]
If you're blocked and can't write, what's the best way to get yourself pounding the keyboard again? Or let's say you're like me and you have a routine, so you force yourself to write even when you're blocked, only to discover you're producing dreck. What to do? Remedies […]
A fellow poet recently had the courage to complain about the expense of our chosen vocation. It's a sad fact that the net proceeds for poets are usually negative. We often have to pay to develop our craft and get ourselves read. Perhaps it's not unlike many art forms in this […]
Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity is the blog and writing resource site by writer Erica Verrillo. Her site is loaded with great articles for writers and the writing life, including listings of publishers, agents, where to get reviews, submission calls, free contests, writing conferences and more. […]
