The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises From Poets Who Teach (Paperback)

by Robin Behn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A distinctive collection of more than 90 effective poetry-writing exercises combined with corresponding essays to inspire writers of all levels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1st Paper, 1st Printing edition (September 23, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006273024X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062730244
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,720 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very useful repository of ideas and approaches., May 22, 2000

By	talesin - See all my reviews

When I bought this book, I envisioned it being like Kowit's "In the Palm of Your Hand" or Addonizio and Laux's "Poet's Companion". It isn't.

Instead of the comfortable, conversational and pretty easy-going tone and pace of the other two books, this is a densely packed collection of exercises from a great many different poets. Each exercise is set out, and then expanded on in a very useful essay/note/commentary from the poet who contributed the exercise. In some ways, it is this latter feature that is the most useful. Quite often you will come across a poetry (or any other) exercise, where it is quite clear what you are meant to do, but with no clue about what it is that you are trying to achieve. Here, each exercise has an accompanying explanation. Problem solved.

Because the exercises are contributed by so many different poets, it is unavoidable that there will be some exercises which seem pointless or stupid or irrelevant. This is where the explanation part comes in handy once again. Don't like the way the exercise is structured? Read on, find out what it is that you are supposed to be doing, and redraft the exercise to suit your own personal needs/tastes.

Overall, this is a very useful little book. My copy is only one year old, but is seriously dog-eared and full of strips of paper serving as bookmarks. With the number of different poets/attitudes/approaches included, there are bound to be sections that you read with a sense of either boredom or incredulity. Never mind - there are plenty more sections that will have you scrabbling for pen and paper.

Maybe the best way of using the book is to think of it like a well-stocked pantry cupboard - browse, take what you need today, leave the rest for dinner tomorrow, or boil leftovers down for soup ...

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful to teachers--essential for those who love to write, July 20, 2000

By	Denise Trimm (Alabama) - See all my reviews

As a teacher of poetry writing, I am always looking for books that include exercises and inspiring starters that will help the young and or inexperienced writer. I bought this book for that purpose, but what I found myself doing was bringing the book home week after week so that I could experience the activities personally.

Writing is an incredibly personal activity that isolates one from others. This book brings writers together collectively to that lone writer and helps her to know she is not alone, and it helps that writer to try some new ways of tapping that well of creativity...even when the supply is running low.

There are a lot of books out there on writing poetry, but few are as inspiring and helpful as Ms. Behn's. It is a must have for every poet, teacher, and lover of poetry.

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Helpful...................., January 19, 2002

By	Margaret "fugirl" (NYC) - See all my reviews

.....................Behn and Twichell bring us literally dozens of writing exercises from established poets like Maxine Kumin, Rita Dove, Donald Justice and many more. The chapters in the book are separated according to the poetry writing skill they are designed to sharpen. There are chapters on image and metaphor, self and subject, topic, structure, sound and rhythm, and on revision and writer's block. After each exercise is a thorough explanation of how the exercise is supposed to help the poet, often illustrated by the author's own personal experience. Additionally, some exercises are followed up with the titles (but not the actual poems) of recommended poems that should illustrate to the novice poet an excellent example particular poetic elements in action. Personally, I feel my poetry has been helped a great deal by the exercises that I've used in this book. I'm a beginner and I've come to see how choosing the right word is so critical, learned how to gain a different perspective, started to hear the "music" of poetry better, and I've begun to really see how critical strict revisioning is. I highly recommend this book to all novice poets!