Writing Poetry is intended to be an all-purpose poetry writing textbook, a fount of inspiration and informtion on the writing process, a solid first step for beginners, and a source of ideas for writers and teachers at all levels. Taken from the Greek word meaning making something up, poetry gos beyond the simple act of creation to inspire. In this textbook, the core structure of the genre is dissected so the intangible may be a little more understood. Writing Poetry is an appreciative study of an allusive art.
Barbara Drake is the author of Driving One Hundred published by Windfall Press (2009), Love at the Egyptian Theatre, What We Say to Strangers, Life in a Gothic Novel, Bees in Wet Weather, and Small Favors. Her memoir, Peace at Heart: an Oregon Country Life published by Oregon State University Press was a 1999 Oregon Book Award Finalist. Her widely used college textbook, Writing Poetry, has been in print since 1983.
She earned her MFA from the University of Oregon and taught at Michigan State University before returning to Oregon to teach at Linfield College from 1983 to 2007. Now officially retired, Drake enjoys teaching workshops and occasional classes as well as frequently giving readings. The author lives on a small Yamhill County farm with her husband and their two border collies.
