VIDEO LIBRARY

THE POETIC TURN:
Mastering the Moment that Changes Everything

In the workshop, we discussed:

  • What a poetic turn is and how it can energize a poem

  • A step-by-step guide to writing an effective turn

  • Three outcomes of a powerful poetic turn

  • How to write five different types of poetic turns

THE ART OF TENSION:
How to Keep Your Readers Holding Their Breath

In this workshop, participants:

  • Explored the balance between contrast and emotional risk

  • Learned how to hook the reader through syntax, sound, and surprise

  • Used juxtaposition and opposing forces to create unforgettable moments

  • Left with three new drafts that push and pull

LISTS & LITANIES:
Poems of Repetition and Revelation

In the workshop, we covered:

  • Common mistakes poets make in list poems

  • Best practices for writing and revising list poems

  • The Blender Technique: how to make your poems addictive

  • Eight craft techniques to skyrocket your poem’s impact

BREVITY BOOTCAMP:
Learn How to Say More with Less

SURPRISE & STRATEGY:
Parts 1 & 2

WRITING THE SPECIFIC & STRANGE:
10 Easy and Replicable Techniques to Wake Up Your Writing

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Play with replicable exercises to add surprise and strangeness to their work

  • Push language to create new sonic and emotional patterns

  • Use sensory detail and diction to play with characterization and worldbuilding

  • Emphasize play to reshape, reinvigorate, and “weird up” all drafts

BEGIN WITH A LIST: Generate Endless Poems for These Simple Exercises

In the workshop, we covered:

  • Read and discuss examples of powerful images 

  • Learn the basics of imagery and how to apply it

  • Share and receive warm feedback on their work

  • Leave with at least one, possibly two, rough drafts 

HOW TO WRITE A POEM:
Simple Steps on How to Use Poetry to Turn Your Life in Lasting Art

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Remove personal block for expression and creativity 

  • Explore personal history through the lens of creativity 

  • Examine emotion through imagery and metaphor 

  • Bring clarity to their feelings and experiences through writing 

BEGIN WITH AN IMAGE: Generative Writing Session

In the workshop, we covered:

  • Read and discuss examples of powerful images 

  • Learn the basics of imagery and how to apply it

  • Share and receive warm feedback on their work

  • Leave with at least one, possibly two, rough drafts 

THE DIRECT ADDRESS:
Increase Intimacy and Impact with these 7 strategies

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify the audience to tighten argument and form

  • Receive concrete tools to sharpen questions and narrow focus

  • Garner new language to increase precision and pathos

  • Amplify emotion, momentum, and meaning

  • Leave each workshop with two new drafts

WRITING THE BIG THING SMALL: Five Strategies to Increase Specificity in Your Writing

In the workshop, we covered:

  • Use perspective and specificity to evoke emotion

  • Explore how the contrast of macro and micro contributes to story

  • Utilize symbolism to make the abstract tangible

  • Leave with three new drafts that capture and captivate 

PROMPTED BY POP CULTURE: Using Current Events and Media to Inspire Art

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Use elements of pop culture to add structure and surprise to their work

  • Practice and apply the power of persona 

  • Use form and genre-specific language to break patterns and expectations

  • Leave with three fresh and fiery new drafts

THE MAGIC AND MINING OF METAPHOR: Metaphors are Magic!

In the workshop, we covered:

  • Discuss how metaphors build power

  • Transform language to surprise and capture

  • Dive into dynamics of diction and shifts in syntax

  • Learn replicable techniques to transform writing

  • Leave with three new drafts

HOW TO WRITE THE LYRIC ESSAY: 5-step Guide on How to Get to the Good Stuff (In ANY GENRE)

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Read and discuss poignant examples that breakdown ingredients

  • Examine the impact of various tones, textures, and styles

  • Write from personal experience to examine emotional arcs

  • Use questions to complicate and strengthen intimacy

BEGIN WITH THE LYRIC: Generative Writing Session

In the workshop, participants will:

  • Read and discuss examples of lyric essays and poems

  • Learn the ingredients of crafting lyrical writing 

  • Share and receive warm feedback on their work

  • Leave with at least one, possibly two, rough drafts 

NARRATIVE POETRY: Big Stories thrive in a Small Package

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn how to establish setting as a character that speaks for itself 

  • Sharpen point of view

  • Discover the impact of both macro and micro

  • Get in late and leave early to leave the reader wanting more 

  • Use specificity to amp up sensory detail and create unforgettable portraits

SYNTAX AND SURPRISE: Breaking the Rules of Language

In the workshop, participants will:

  • Disrupt patterns to add surprise

  • Use unexpected language to create suspense and tension 

  • Break out of predictable language to hook the reader

  • Gain confidence in your writing and creativity in your approach

BEGIN WITH SYNTAX: How to make word order work for you!

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Read and discuss examples of syntax that take risks

  • Learn how to propel momentum and surprise

  • Share and receive warm feedback on their work

  • Leave with at least one, possibly two, rough drafts

THE SUBMISSION HABIT

In the workshop, participants will:

  • Build a sustainable, personalized submission routine

  • Learn how to research and strategically target literary journals

  • Create a clear system for tracking submissions and responses

  • Write concise, professional cover letters and submission materials

TRAIN YOUR TITLES: 10 Effective Ways to Make Your Titles Do the Heavy Lifting

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Write titles so strong readers will return to them after the poem is over

  • Reframe thinking about the importance of a title

  • Gain confidence in building context before the first stanza

  • Learn how using metaphor as title can act as a vehicle for commentary

  • Apply a five-step exercise to create strong titles quickly and efficiently