Write Like A Poet: Six Tricks That Poets Can Teach Every Writer

• Dates: Saturday, September 27, 9:30 am-3:30 pm (optional critique follows
• Location: Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison
• Instructor: Angela Rydell and Laurel Yourke
  
• Fee: $110 (break-out critique—$15 additional—limited enrollment)
  
• Program: # 6702
  
• How to register

 

Description:

Whether you’re a poet, always wanted to be one or never wanted to be one, come join us for a sneak peek at the tricks of the poetic trade.

Most writers know that they need:

• Imagery
  
• Music
  
• Metaphor
  
• Compression
  
• Surprise
  
• Raw honesty

But knowing you need such things isn’t the same as getting them in there.

Viewing all writing—whether prose or poetry—through the lens of the poet’s eye can shake you up enough to surprise not only your readers but yourself.

• Do you wish you could realize the ideas on paper the way they sound in your head?
  
• Are you tired of the clichés sneaking into your writing fast as stars popping out on a warm summer night?
  
• Do you write tight as you’d like?
  
• Do your words usually surprise you?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, this workshop is for you.

Angela and Laurel offered this program at Writer’s Institute this spring—in a rushed 75 minutes. Not enough time! A whole day, though, offers opportunities to absorb new concepts, try some writing exercises, ask tons of questions and share the writing we do on each topic.

You’ll explore new ideas, discuss poems and fiction excerpts and apply all of it to your own work—both during the day and long after.

Not a poet? You’ll steal some of their strategies. Sometimes or always a poet? You’ll hone skills you already have.

 

What former participants have said about Laurel and Angela...

“What I got from this short presentation was:

• an exhilaration about the use of words to convey feelings, images and excitement through poetry.
• The presentation brought two views of poetry together and melded them into one.
• The presentation completed a circle of thought that took ideas about poetry 380 degrees with something new and exciting at each degree in the circle.
• The presentation was doubly delicious because both of the poets drafted off of the other-like bicyclists—their ideas linked onto one another’s.

Having Laurel Yourke and Angela Rydell present a poetry workshop is like having the best bonfire in the campsite for roasting marshmallows. They are the kindling and the fire burns brighter and brighter as they pile ideas one on top of the other.” – Joan Gray, Madison WI

“’Six Tricks’ helped me give my prose writing new poetic life. I loved the content, the teachers, and the writing exercises.” – Anita Hecht, Madison, WI

“As a non-poet I attended Laurel Yourke and Angela Rydell’s ‘Write like a poet: Six tricks that poets can teach every writer’ to learn how to use metaphor more effectively and to make my prose more musical. Both Angela and Laurel certainly know metaphor and poetry. I found the session thought-provoking and learned that ‘Wildness is the source of the very best metaphors.’ The instructors introduced me to valuable ideas like getting multiple meanings out of your words, using unexpected particulars, and using concrete imagery that startles. They encouraged me to discover ‘rawness’ in my writing, and not hide in familiar images. The session encouraged me to take chances in my writing.” – Diana Burnett, Madison, WI

“Angela Rydell is a gifted teacher … She shares her enthusiasm and knowledge openly and honestly.”  – Marie Tonnon, Green Bay, WI

“To call Angela a teacher is not quite right.  She did not teach us.  She drew out of each of us the possibilities we had, which might have been dormant or simply unrecognized.  Also, in class discussions and mutual critiques, she made us open each other's eyes to possible new ways of relating to the poems we had presented." – Daniel Kunene, Madison, WI

“As always, I enjoyed Dr. Yourke’s prepared presentations, including the accompanying printed material.  She is able to analyze poetry as form and as art as can no one else.  She sees through the writing process, which is a great gift to student writers....I also appreciate her incisive critique of submitted poems, and the sharing process of the class, and its positive style of critique.  Now, I have notes, a cache of fine poems by good poets, and a few poems just begun, not to mention the ongoing friendship of fellow poets from the class.  By the way, I should think that Laurel would publish a collection of her ‘Poems for Teaching Poets.’” – Lincoln Hartfield, New Lisbon WI

“I definitely look forward to Laurel’s workshops & classes. I learn so much and she is so inspiring.” – Karen Lech, Richmond IL

How to register

By phone: Call 608-262-7942.

By mail: Print and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

By fax: Print and fax the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.