Writing Poetry: Where Poems Come from and How to Write Them (New Enl) [Paperback]

David K. Kirby (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Books for writers often stress commercial success, leaving those seeking creative growth to workshops, courses, or simply reading on their own. These two books eschew the money talk and focus on literary expression. Poet Kirby's slim, cheerful volume surveys poetic traditions, examining six poem types with supporting examples and some stimulating exercises. The author includes several of his own poems, fair game for close scrutiny. Writer/teacher Shelnutt's collection might be two separate books unified mainly in the form of presentation. The part on fiction offers theory, guidance, and fiction selections, with the authors' comments on how their works took shape; that on poetry includes drafts and finished poems along with accounts by the poets of their creative struggles. A certain groping unevenness, of course, arises from bringing together so many voices in the effort to stimulate beginners. The contributors have mostly academic or little-magazine writing credentials. Reading suggestions and glossaries round out both volumes; nice work but not essential.
- William A. Donovan, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Writer, Inc.; Enlarged edition (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871161818
• ISBN-13: 978-0871161819
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,792,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Poet Should Have a Copy, March 6, 2000

By 

J. Newberry (Tifton, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Poetry: Where Poems Come from and How to Write Them (New Enl) (Paperback)

Maybe poetry does come from the inside. Maybe poetry is some huge "we can't know what it is, for it comes from beyond"-type-thing.

Bull.

Just as any other art, poetry can be taught, and Kirby's "little green book" as we called in back in my undergrad days is absolutely the best book out there on the subject. Kirby teaches the way a dance instructor might teach dancers: he gives you the nuts and bolts, and when his instructions are used as a springboard for ideas, the results can be nothing short of amazing.

I also recommend the _Practice of Poetry_ to other poets out there.

4 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not bad book; it's just impossible to teach how to write, October 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing Poetry: Where Poems Come from and How to Write Them (New Enl) (Paperback)

Before I sank my teeth into this "How To" guide I was already not in agreement with the book. This prior disagreement sprang from the fact that I, myself a writer, believe 100% that true poetry comes from within, which completely negates the entire purpose for writing this book. I must admit that when I finished the "guide" I was pleased with Mr. Kirby's, albeit futile, attempts; there are some things one can glean from this work...