The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry

A teaching guide for individuals or for groups, in or out of the classroom, to share the weekly assignments. Numerous examples of contemporary poetry, chosen for relevance and freshness, illustrate salient points and stimulate the imagination. From the nuts and bolts of craft to sources of inspiration, this book is for anyone who wants to write poetry and do it well.

The Poet's Companion presents brief essays on the elements of poetry, technique, and suggested subjects for writing, each followed by distinctive writing exercises. The ups and downs of writing life--including self-doubt and writer's block--are here, along with tips about getting published and writing in the electronic age. On your own, this book can be your teacher, while groups, in or out of the classroom, can profit from sharing weekly assignments.