5.0 out of 5 stars
I Love This Book!!, April 6 2001
By A Customer
I found this book a wonderful guide to writing poetry. I wrote most of my poems while reading this book. My friends love it as much as I do - they are all waiting in line to borrow it!!! If you need ideas or advice with your poems you should definately get this book!! Good luck with your writing.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem: Small and Valuable, April 4 2001
Any thoughts I might ever have entertained about writing a book on poetry writing were quickly dispelled when I discovered Paul Janeczko's guide. HOW TO WRITE POETRY is the book I hope I would have written on this subject.
First of all, the small format and conversational style invite the reader in. Janeczko begins by suggesting ways for writers to catalog their words and ideas. In addition to notebooks, he recommends the use of a tape recorder when writing notes is not practical. Janeczko also emphasizes the importance of reading. Throughout the book he provides bibliographic lists that provide more information on concepts in each chapter. Yet another list of good poetry anthologies is included at the end of the book.
After a sketch of the writing process, Janeczko describes several specific kinds of poems: acrostic poems, synonym poems, opposite poems, clerihews, list poems, poems of address, persona poems, and narrative poems. Elements especially important in poetry (sound, images, word choice, figurative language, and line breaks) are discussed in a recurring "Poetcraft" feature. Poems by students and by famous poets amply illustrate both the poetic elements and the particular formats. Biographical notes on all poets are included near the end of the book.
Other special recurring features of HOW TO WRITE POETRY include "Writing Tip from a Poet," "Try This" (specific suggestions for writing), and various checklists. In addition to the biographical and bibliographical information mentioned earlier, the book includes an index and a comprehensive, cross-referenced glossary, which even includes examples of various formats.
Although Janeczko maintains that poems must be written for oneself, he also suggests many ways to "publish" finished poems -- from handmade books to cards and posters, to submitting to magazines and contests. He recommends MARKET GUIDE FOR YOUNG WRITERS by Kathy Henderson (Writer's Digest Books, 1996) as an invaluable resource for those interested in submitting for publication.
Even beyond the pertinent subjects Janeczko includes, however, is the manner in which he conveys his information. Having taught English and compiled more than a dozen poetry anthologies, Janeczko is a master who projects wholehearted confidence that young poets can and will succeed.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
a WONDERFUL BOOK, Jan 13 2001
By A Customer
I ACTUALLY PURCHASED THIS BOOK FROM MY SON'S READING CLUB @ SCHOOL. ALTHOUGH IT IS DESIGNED WITH THE YOUNGER READER IN MIND, IT IS WRITTEN IN SUCH A SINCERE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, NON-CONDESCENDING MANNER, THAT I TOO CAN BENEFIT. THIS BOOK WILL HELP ME WITH ALL OF MY FUTURE POETRY WRITING.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No