Happy National Poetry Month! Throughout April, good folks like you and I will be coming together to celebrate poetry through readings, events, lectures, and celebrations. Whether you are a practicing poet or simply curious about the possibilities of poetry, April is an ideal time to prime your poetry pump, connect with other people who love poetry, and find fun, new ways to tune into (and write) the poetry of your life. Here are a few ideas and a bunch of free stuff I'm offering to get you going.
GET A DAILY TIP FOR CULTIVATING YOUR POETRY AND PUBLISHING PRACTICE
Every day this month, Reading Local Portland will be featuring a daily tip from yours truly about cultivating your poetic lens, lifestyle and language. You'll find tips on craft, publishing, online resources, community-building, poetry prompts and more.
TAKE
THE POEM-A-DAY CHALLENGE
National Poetry Month is the
perfect time to put your poetic pedal to the metal and start burning
some rubber -- in the company of many thousands of other poets who are doing the same. I dare you to write -- and share -- a poem a day! Details about daily prompts and sharing your work
here.
COMMIT TO YOUR CRAFT: SIGN UP FOR A POETRY CLASS
If you're ready to take your poetry to the next level, I'm ready to
support you! In early May, I'll be offering Poetry for the People Levels 1 and 2. Get all the details and sign up now to reserve your place!
"Sage was able to respond to each poem (and poet) in a uniquely sensitive way, meeting the material (and its creator) exactly where it is. In other words, her responses show what living as a poet is all about. What a gift this is." -- Amanda H.
I'll be posting student poems on my blog throughout the month to celebrate their work and their commitment to the life of poetry.
GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF POETRY FOR UNDER $20!
Want a friendly, informative, fun guide to writing and publishing poetry? I've written a creative companion to take you there! Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry (Writer's Digest Books, 2009).
And for a straight-up shot of coming-of-age, on the rocks, you are invited to experience my poetry collection, Like the Heart, the World.
ATTEND MY FREE,
TWO-HOUR POETRY WORKSHOP (by podcast)
On March 2, I gave a
poetry
workshop on The Inkwell. In this two-hour poetry
workshop-meets-contemplation of the life poetic-meets interview, I
covered so much poetic ground that my voice nearly gave out.
And
now, you can listen any time you want -- for free. Get comfortable at
your computer with a pen and paper, and join me in my longest monologue
yet about how to tune into the poetry of your life (and get it down on
the page).
Be prepared for five sets of poem-triggering prompts
throughout the conversation to ignite your poetry pilot light -- or keep
it burning bright.
RADIO INTERVIEW ABOUT THE LIFE OF POETRY
On March 30, I joined radio host Nyla Alysia on The Inkwell Radio Show to talk about the life of poetry -- writing, submitting, editing, publishing, productivity and more -- and answered listener questions on the air. You can tune in any time to the podcast archive of our conversation.
FIND THE PROSPERITY IN YOUR LIFE POETIC
I have a new article in Read Write Poem titled "Shifting Our Lens from Poverty to Prosperity." I hope you enjoy it -- and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.COME BACK AND VISIT, Y'HEAR?
I'll be posting a variety of resources, poems and more throughout the month. And I'm always happy to hear from you. Come back any time and let me know how your National Poetry Month is treating you!
Wishing you a wildly productive and prolific creative adventure this month -- and always.
