Shaping the Draft: from first notes to polished poem

On revision - plus workshops, mentoring and more

Shaping the Draft: Zoom Workshop on Thursday 5th March

Time has flown by and we’re now almost two months in with Poetical Workshop, my new poetry workshop community.

We’ve written some fantastically playful and tender poems inspired by Sarah Howe’s prompt on touch, and explored ritual form and process in our work through JLM Morton’s prompt and resource for imbolc. In March we’ll be thinking about the poem as puzzle and trying out some forms that, through repetition or collage, ask us to find the perfect fit.

Image: Heather Green, Unplash

The monthly rhythm of the workshop encourages a focus on reworking and revision, and I’ve been paying deeper attention recently to how the revision process works for me. I love writing workshops and their potential for coaxing the poem into its best or fullest form - but what happens when we’re alone again with our feedback, or trying to tease out and tweak awkward lines seven edits on? How can we be brave enough to make the changes needed and, at the same time, defend and hold on to what matters?

When revising a poem, how can we be brave enough to make the changes needed and, at the same time, defend and hold on to what matters?

Next Thursday March 5th I’m offering a Zoom workshop on Shaping the Draft. The workshop is free and open for everyone. All those attending will be offered a special introduction rate for the new March cohort of Poetical Workshop, but it’s fine to just turn up and enjoy the workshop as a one-off. You can find out more and sign up here.

In this lunchtime workshop, we’ll consider how we can make constructive changes, avoid over-editing, and know when a poem is 'done'. We'll look at and discuss early drafts by poets including Sylvia Plath, Langston Hughes and Elizabeth Bishop and, through a series of examples, find revision strategies that honour the original impetus or creative spark, helping the poem to find its best possible shape.

Development Mentoring: Tailored Support for Your Your Practice

From next month (March) I have a space opening up for mentoring.

I offer 3 and 6-month mentoring packages for poets and writers who are serious about developing their craft and building a sustainable practice. I also offer one-off consultation sessions.

As well as close editorial feedback, I offer prompts, targeted reading, and practical strategies to help you:

• build confidence and critical judgement

• establish a sustainable writing practice

• overcome stuckness and imposter syndrome

• develop your voice and artistic direction

• work towards meaningful deadlines

Find out more about my mentoring here, or contact me directly if you have any questions.

Image: Ireland Rogers, Unplash

Life Writing Intensive

I’m hugely enjoying teaching life writing for for Dialect and Writers.com this year.

I’m now considering teaching a private life-writing intensive for 10 weeks, starting in mid-April. This would be 10 weekly Zoom workshops plus a shared online space for questions and resources. We’d explore different aspects of life writing and work towards a 3000-word chapter or equivalent for sharing or submission. If you’d like to tell your story in prose and might be interested in joining the life writing intensive, get in touch and let me know.

I’ll be in touch again soon with a puzzle-inspired poetry prompt. Until then, happy writing!