Poetry Retreat

It's National Poetry Month! Celebrate with me and fellow writers at an all-day Writing Retreat...

“Spring Cleaning: Finding a Fresh Literary Vision Through Poetry and Poetic Language” Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:30 am to 5:15 pm ~Misty Hill Lodge~

Offering: Workshops by two presenters, directed exercises, and writing time Includes: Campfire lunch and snacks Cost: $90 per person Enrollment: Limited to 15 participants, advance registration required. Only 2 spots left! “Finding a Fresh Literary Vision through Poetry and Poetic Language” is a… come-as-you-are workshop for all writers. Whether you write poetry or prose, this day is designed to help you bring poetic language to the page—to put words together in such a way that they sing. Clear out the winter cobwebs and take this opportunity for a fresh start at your writing. You’ll need: A copy of a favorite poem (by any poet). A week’s worth of journal entries. (If you don’t already keep a journal, take this opportunity to start one—whether it be jotted-down observations and descriptions, a daily diary, an overheard conversation, a simple account of the weather, or whatever strikes your fancy.) We’ll use these for a couple of exercises. WORKSHOP LEADERS Edie Hemingway, a graduate of Spalding University’s MFA program, is co-author of two Civil War novels for children, both of which have been licensed by Scholastic Book Fairs. Her first “solo” novel, Road to Tater Hill, will be released on September 8, 2009 by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. When she’s not writing, Edie is teaching creative writing workshops, kayaking, or playing with her grandchildren. Visit her website at http://www.ediehemingway.com/ and the One Potato…Ten Blog at http://www.onepotatoten.blogspot.com/ . Laura Shovan is an Artist-in-Education for the Maryland State Arts Council, conducting poetry workshops for children. Recently, she was one of six poets invited to lead school workshops for the Maryland Humanities Council’s “Totally Ekphrastic: Picturing America through Poetry” program, which combined art and poetry. Laura also teaches adults. She is an instructor for Baltimore CityLit’s “Write Here, Write Now” program. Laura’s writing for children has been published in Highlights! for Kids, online at the Three Legged Dragon and will be in an upcoming edition of Shoofly Audio Magazine. She is working on a children’s novel in verse. Her articles, essays and poetry for adults have been published in newspapers, literary journals, and e-zines. Laura’s author website is http://www.laurashovan.com/. WORKSHOP SESSIONS To get the most from the day, come prepared with a week’s worth of journal pages and a favorite poem (whether from childhood or present day), as well as a willingness to look at the mundane in a new light. Using poems we love, we will begin the day by discussing what draws us to poems. What Makes a Poem a Poem? (Edie) Have you always wanted to write poetry, but don’t think you can? Maybe you write poems all the time, but don’t realize it. Learn to recognize the music, meaning, and clarity of your own words. Simple Gifts: Writing an Ode (Laura) Odes are poems of praise and celebration. Instead of praising grand objects, modern poets are writing odes about simple things: a pair of sneakers, a tomato, being lazy. Looking for the praiseworthy in things we normally take for granted calls us to pay attention to detail—an important skill for writers. We will begin with a model poem and discussion of this free-verse form before taking time for writing. Disconnecting Habitual Ways of Thinking and Writing (Edie) This is a playful exercise that helps disconnect habitual ways of thinking and allows you to write without being limited to linear thought patterns. With an open mind, you, as a writer, can make unexpected connections between images and emotions—an excellent exercise to be applied to poetry or prose. Haiku Hike (Laura) Haiku is a traditional Japanese poem that has its roots in a sort of party game. This short, metrical form is a great way to practice economy of language. Words are so few that haiku writers must disconnect from habitual phrasing and focus on an image. During a brief hike (weather permitting), we will look for inspiration in nature—the topic for haiku. But we’ll also go “between the lines” by exploring some of the deeper traditions of this form as we write. (Sturdy shoes required.) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 9:30 – 9:45 Coffee, Tea, and Introductions 9:45 – 10:15 Get the most from the day (Edie and Laura) 10:15 – 11:15 What Makes a Poem a Poem? (Edie) 11:15 – 11:30 Break 11:30 – 12:30 Simple Gifts: Writing an Ode (Laura) 12:30 – 1:00 Free Writing Time 1:00 -- 2:00 Campfire Lunch 2:00 – 3:15 Disconnecting Habitual Ways of Thinking and Writing (Edie) 3:15 – 3:30 Snack Break 3:30 – 4:30 Haiku Hike (Laura) 4:30 – 5:00 Free Writing Time 5:00 – 5:15 Wrap-up and Closing Send me an email at laura@laurashovan.com if you would like a registration form.