Hearing new writing, even before the ink has dried, before the coffee has turned cold, we imagine bright lights into a newly formed sky. In the free-write group that I host every Friday afternoon, I invite participants to engage with a simple writing prompt for a 15-minute composition (it usually goes a little longer). Then … Continue reading With prompting
Month: November 2014
A wherefore
Waters and stars
The collaborative poems in last night's salon lengthened over pages into overlapping dreamscapes. Some wonderful new works shared, including a reading of a 21-minute narrative poem and, um, some digital code. Writers and appreciative listeners are welcome to join us in the next salon, and, as a taste-tease, enjoy this little bit of the exquisite, … Continue reading Waters and stars
How-to
My shelf of how-to-write-creatively books is pretty small, but since someone asked me today, I made a quick list: Claims for Poetry, ed. Donald Hall. Some of my favorite essays on poetry are collected here. The Making of a Poem, eds. Mark Strand and Eavan Boland. Lovely to read this primer on poetic forms, partly … Continue reading How-to
Undermined silence
I try to explain, as at dinner today with my kids. I said, "I don't like to hear arguing or complaining, so I don't do either of those things. I like to hear poetry, so I make poetry." I suggested then that they speak in poetry if they really expected me to listen. That resulted … Continue reading Undermined silence
Center stage
At last night's benefit performance of Indian classical dance by the students and teacher at my daughter's dance school, Naatya Ranga Performing Arts, all the young dancers' talent and hard work delighted a packed auditorium. Poetry took the stage, too, with poets Meerabai and Andal serving as inspiration for two of the dances. I wish someone would post their videos … Continue reading Center stage
Shortened sail
Ghost stories and river imagery blew a few gusts in our free-write group yesterday afternoon. Among the paper coffee cups and notebooks, the lyric conversation turned to silent sketching of scenes and memories. Better than candy. The writing prompt I offered was a quote from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, a beautiful … Continue reading Shortened sail