Enriching and Expanding Poems Through Weaving Techniques
In a world characterized by rapid rhythms, short attention spans, and constant background noise, how do writers create poems that are meditative, connective, fluid, and cohesive? One approach is to create richer and more expansive poems that embrace complexity without sacrificing clarity, by weaving together disparate ideas and multiple threads. To accomplish this, poets use techniques such as layering, braiding, collage, and narratives that orbit a concept or question.
Examining poems by poets such as Erika Meitner, Robert Hass, Linda Gregerson, Layli Long Soldier and others, the class will consider the ways in which these techniques open readers to a sense of simultaneity that invites an exploration of the larger mechanisms of human experience. Attendees will complete a variety of exercises aimed at exploring and building nonlinear narrative and braiding techniques in their own poems.
Julia Bouwsma lives off-the-grid in the mountains of western Maine, where she is a poet, farmer, editor, and small-town librarian. She is the author of two poetry collections: Midden (Fordham University Press, 2018) and Work by Bloodlight (Cider Press Review, 2017). Honors she has received include the 2019 and 2018 Maine Literary Awards; the 2016-17 Poets Out Loud Prize, selected by Afaa Michael Weaver; and the 2015 Cider Press Review Book Award, selected by Linda Pastan. Her poems and book reviews can be found in Cutthroat, Grist, Poetry Daily, Poetry Northwest, RHINO, River Styx, Verse Daily, and other journals. She serves as Library Director for Webster Library in Kingfield, Maine.
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QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Hannah Perry at perry@mainewriters.org.
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Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
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SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer two full scholarships to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on March 16 at 9:00 a.m.
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