Poemcrazy: Creating a Life with Words: Amazon.ca: Susan G. Wooldridge: Books

Product Description

From Amazon

Poemcrazy is the poetic analog to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird or Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, two classic works on how to forget that you "can't write" and just start the pen moving. Susan Wooldridge is a swimming instructor in the wide ocean of language, encouraging us to move ever farther from the shore, dive deep, and dance on the waves. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

Following the success of several recent inspirational and practical books for would-be writers, Poemcrazy is a perfect guide for everyone who ever wanted to write a poem but was afraid to try. Writing workshop leader Susan Wooldridge shows how to think, use one's senses, and practice exercises that will make poems more likely to happen.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

29 Reviews

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars For artists in all media, Jan 14 2004

By

Nagagirl (Southeast Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words (Paperback)

I'm a visual artist, not a poet or fiction artist. This small book made more difference in my artistic output this winter than any other influence. I've ordered copies for my walking buddy (so we can share the excercises) and a writer friend in the cold north. Heart-full and not hokey...these chapters appeal to the 7th grade child in all of us. Before we knew what was "cool", we knew how to tap the muse.

Order extra copies for all your friends!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Admittedly Loca for Poemcrazy......., Dec 27 2003

By

Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words (Paperback)

Poemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge is one of those rare books which is best read slowly, over time, perhaps as you read other books so that you can take the time to try the different exercises, revisit favored passages and really take the time to listen to exactly what Wooldridge is teaching.

Is it poetry or is it life?

Is it writing or is it personal freedom and individuality?

From my experience, it is a bit of both and all of the above and more.

The book is presented in 5 major sections. I found sections 4 and 5 to be crescendo-esque, filled with a-ha moments and ideas for me to take into my poetry (and other) writing practice.

Earlier reviews concur that this title is reminiscent of Natalie Goldberg and Anne Lamott: in my estimation, these are really great indications of a solid, enjoyable, applications oriented read. I was not disappointed.

My only disappointment in regards to this book is that I have not been able to find anything else by the same author..... hopefully this will change!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for non-poets and teachers too, April 17 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words (Paperback)

I have been unsuccessfully trying to get students interested in poetry. I keep pointing out how interesting, how beautiful, etc. it is, with dead stares back at me...But I introduced Susan Wooldridge's word tickets as an exercise and the students loved it! So did I. I just listened to some songs and wrote tons of adjectives, nouns and a few verbs in MS Word using an address label format, then changed the fonts to be fun and different, printed them out and made copies, then cut up all of the individual words. I probably have 600 words times 3-4 copies. The students loved picking the words out of such a plentiful supply, and even the least interested ones got into the exercise. I love experiential exercises, and this one really works. My hope is that now when they look at poems again, they'll see them differently. At least after a few sessions maybe.

If Susan Wooldridge is reading this, then I would like to say thank you with great feeling...learning to teach has been difficult and sometimes discouraging...with several great highs. This was definitely a peak. I'll close by saying that I'm looking at a word ticket now and it says "plum pebbles"...

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 29 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 54 reviews 4.8 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring without going overboard
maybe I was just in the right place at the right time for this book to have a great effect on me, but whatever the circumstances, it has been a great inspiration. Read more

Published on Sep 12 2002 by veloatro

5.0 out of 5 stars Lilting and dancing...
This book offers solid writing advice in a free-spirited and easy-going manner. It is a great book for beginning poets and can offer fresh insight to even the most jaded... Read more

Published on Jun 27 2002 by Logan L. Masterson