Class

Tips and Tricks to Revise Your Poems

Between a rough first draft and sharing a poem on stage, or sending it out for publication, lies the journey of revision. That journey can take many forms and be shaped by a myriad of tools. In this class for poets of all levels, we’ll explore such questions as: Why do we revise our poems? What revision techniques could we add to our toolkit—and what effect might they have on our craft? and How can we employ revision to wring more possibility or surprise from our writing?

We’ll deepen our understanding and expand our toolkit through peer learning, discussion, exposure to techniques, and readings. We’ll dive into concepts of revision from such writers as Douglas Kearney, A. Rafael Johnson, Victoria Chang, Richard Hugo, and others. Participants will apply revision to one or two of their own poems, gaining the practice and inspiration they’ll need to take new approaches to revision out of the class and into their writing practice.

In this class, students will:
-Describe the ways in which revision can impact their writing craft.
-Apply revision techniques to at least one of their own poems.
-Identify three revision techniques they intend to add to their writing toolkit

Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.