Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Why do we write? Why do we spend our hours obsessing over line breaks, metaphors, and the elusive "right" word?
The Ars Poetica—a poem about the art and purpose of poetry—is a centuries-old tradition. It is our way of defining our passion. But here is the hard truth: Ars Poetica is one of the most difficult genres to do well. Editors see so many poems about "the struggle of the pen" or "the ink on the page" that they can roll their eyes and move on!
In this session, we’re going to find fresh, surprising ways into this fascinating topic. We aren't just going to write “about” poetry; we are going to find the oblique and exhilarating approaches to capturing the "why" behind our art without falling into the usual traps. We’ll explore how contemporary masters use unexpected metaphors to map out their creative philosophies, then you’ll learn how to "borrow" their brilliance while keeping your voice entirely your own.
Whether you’ve written dozens of poems about your craft or you’ve been avoiding the topic because it felt too "done," this workshop will give you the tools to create an Ars Poetica that readers—and editors—are actually eager to read.
What we will do together:
The Blueprint: We’ll read and discuss 3-4 examples of contemporary Ars Poetica to see how they stay fresh and memorable.
Guided Generation: Two short, directed activities to spark your imagination and get words on the page immediately.
Two New Drafts: Dedicated writing time to produce two distinct takes on the Ars Poetica.
Sharing & Feedback: Everyone will have the chance to share a draft and receive brief, supportive comments from me.
A Bonus "Spark": You’ll receive an extra prompt to take away and use later to keep the momentum going.
Places are limited to 12 people to ensure a focused and supportive environment.
Why do we write? Why do we spend our hours obsessing over line breaks, metaphors, and the elusive "right" word?
The Ars Poetica—a poem about the art and purpose of poetry—is a centuries-old tradition. It is our way of defining our passion. But here is the hard truth: Ars Poetica is one of the most difficult genres to do well. Editors see so many poems about "the struggle of the pen" or "the ink on the page" that they can roll their eyes and move on!
In this session, we’re going to find fresh, surprising ways into this fascinating topic. We aren't just going to write “about” poetry; we are going to find the oblique and exhilarating approaches to capturing the "why" behind our art without falling into the usual traps. We’ll explore how contemporary masters use unexpected metaphors to map out their creative philosophies, then you’ll learn how to "borrow" their brilliance while keeping your voice entirely your own.
Whether you’ve written dozens of poems about your craft or you’ve been avoiding the topic because it felt too "done," this workshop will give you the tools to create an Ars Poetica that readers—and editors—are actually eager to read.
What we will do together:
The Blueprint: We’ll read and discuss 3-4 examples of contemporary Ars Poetica to see how they stay fresh and memorable.
Guided Generation: Two short, directed activities to spark your imagination and get words on the page immediately.
Two New Drafts: Dedicated writing time to produce two distinct takes on the Ars Poetica.
Sharing & Feedback: Everyone will have the chance to share a draft and receive brief, supportive comments from me.
A Bonus "Spark": You’ll receive an extra prompt to take away and use later to keep the momentum going.
Places are limited to 12 people to ensure a focused and supportive environment.
