Writing Poetry from the Inside Out: Finding Your Voice Through the Craft of Poetry

by Sandford Lyne

In Writing Poetry from the Inside Out, poet and national poetry workshop leader, Sandford Lyne, offers the writing exercises, guidance, and encouragement you need to find the poet inside you. Lyne's techniques, which he developed through twenty years of teaching poetry workshops, flow from an understanding that poetry is an art form open to everyone. We all can-and should-write poetry.
In this enchanting and inspiring volume, Lyne will introduce you to the pleasures and surprises of writing poetry, and his methods and insights will help you tap into your own unique voice and perspective to compose poems of your own in as little as a few minutes.
Whether you are an experienced writer looking for new techniques and sources of inspiration or a novice poet who has never written a poem in your life, Writing Poetry from the Inside Out will help you to craft the poems you've always longed to write.

Genres: Poetry, Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am by no means an expert on writing poetry or a widely published poet. But as someone who's been writing poems for 10+ years, I found that WRITING POETRY FROM THE INSIDE OUT didn't really feed me with new insights or advice. That being said, I did appreciate the last three chapters, which focused on intellectual and spiritual growth through writing poetry and watching our work evolve in the process. It was moving and oddly coincidental that those particular musings are just as resonant and timely now - if not more so - than when Sandford Lyne wrote them over a decade ago (WRITING POETRY was published in 2007). Poets in the early stages of exploring their craft will probably benefit most from this book, between Lyne's encouraging advice and practical exercises (e.g., finding your unique voice, building your writer's studio, poem-sketching, using word groups).

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great resource for ANYONE who want to get their crative juices flowing. I cannot emphasize how much I love this book!

[Marilyn Flower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! I love the word groups way of beginning to write poetry, what Lyne calls Poem Sketches. half the book is groups of words that he has put together to inspire poems. this works for me and also for both kids and adults we've shared it with in informal poetry workshops and classes. the word pairings he has done have zen like grace to them that is inspiring and the results, breath-taking. he shares brilliant student examples from his classes and you will be amazed! My only regret is not being able to meet Mr. Lyne in person. a must for all poets and poetry lovers!!!!

[Nancy Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting! A bit dated (he actually references the senate confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas as a recent event), and oversimplified, it does explain his process for constructing poems in a clear and concise way. This may be helpful to some readers - certainly poetry enthusiasts will find value here - though I’m less sure about everyone else.

[Andie Wearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and meaningful and passionate. This reads like someone earnestly sharing a true love with you. And it works—it inspires you, makes you want to think and create, to live a life examined. Unexpected source of beauty, this book. I recommend it.

[Eduardo Gregori · Rating 2 out of 5]

And some days the fish (and the poems) just aren't biting. I've enjoyed the fishing (the process) nonetheless--the stillness, the quiet, the beauties of shoreline and water, the changing sky and weather, the time with my own thoughts.

[Michael Hansard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

A great read. Helped me out of my shell and opened me up to my own feelings. I am no longer scared to write poetry!

[Timothy Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focus: poetry sketching.

[Jenny Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent a very pleasant rainy day working through these exercises. It was a useful book, even if Lyne sometimes got bogged down in his thoughts on spirituality/philosophy.

[Berton L. Dinkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivated to write poetry

I read this book wanting a starting place to write poetry. After reading and practicing the exercises, I can start living poetry.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I borrowed it from my library on a whim and now will be buying a copy for myself, so I can revisit all of the exercises and work through them again. The best way I can describe this book is non-instruction in poetry. Through poem-sketching you take a series of words (examples in the back of the book in case you need them) and just let your ideas flow.

Many of Mr. Lyne's examples come from workshops in which he taught children. Giving his pupils and readers creative freedom, poetry becomes magic. He says look this is a poem and this is also a poem and you see that no they may not be perfect, but they are heartfelt.

What you find is how the poems reflect you. Perfect for self-reflection and journaling, writing your own poems is a magical experience. Now that I've released the inner poet inside me, daily poems are shooting out from my pen.

[Simon Cowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is more to do with my poeming ability than the book, but I couldnt' get on with it all that well. It does though have some good points about it, which is why I gave it the rating I did. There are lots of great examples of people, from all walks of life, using the exercises in this book and coming out with some wonderful poetry. This alone encouraged me to keep trying. I loved the writing style of the book too--conversational without feeling as if it had been dummed down, and by no means a book you need a degree in English or anything else to understand. I don't think I'll give up on this one having said all that--perhaps it's one for later on in my development as a poet. I definitely don't regret buying it.

[Jaimin Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the kind of title that my kind of person would be tempted to pick up. I checked the content page, chapters and a bit of writing, and got tempted in a minute. I think I haven’t found a better guide than this on writing poems. This is one of my passions that requires on going training. There is no way to perfect this, just excel to a level when people appreciate your work to your satisfaction.

[Natalie Englund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyne's book is a great way to introduce novices not only to poetry writing, but also to making poetry a daily practice. I LOVE the poem-sketching. It's accessible to children and adults. A WONDERFUL book. I'm sorry that I was never able to meet him.

[Tanya]

Hopefully to make sense of my inclination to write poetry and rants that come out of that.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful :)

[Robin B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book made me stop and think about why I do what I do (write poetry). The exercises and word groups are really good tools for breaking through blocks, too.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book on using langauge to paint with. If you've got time and an attention span I recommend it.

[Annette Tankersley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Have used it many times in my classroom as well as for a youth writing workshop with struggling student writers.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good practical tips with prompts that could set you off into another world. Still not a favorite as I am a confessed romantic and this did not stir my heart as others books have and could do.

[Tammy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked some of the writing exercises especially poem sketching, however too much preaching. I don't like religion or spirituality (sounds the same to me) shoved down my throat. The most condescending part was "I was an atheist myself for a whole day once." No you weren't. No religious or spiritual person has ever been able to explain one scientific thing to me accurately. Even though I finished the book as annoying as it was, I don't recommend wasting your time. The last 2 chapters especially were over the top Christian.