Writing Poetry

by W.N. Herbert

This volume presents new versions of key chapters from the recent Routledge/Open University textbook, Creative A Workbook with Readings for writers who are specialising in writing poetry. It offers the novice writer engaging and creative activities, making use of insightful, relevant readings from the work of well-known authors to illustrate the techniques presented.

Using his experience and expertise as a teacher as well as a poet, Bill Herbert guides aspiring writers through such key writing skills

drafting voice imagery rhyme form theme. The volume is further updated to include never-before published dialogues with prominent poets such as Vicki Feaver, Gillian Allnutt, Kathleen Jamie, Linda France, Douglas Dunn, Sean O'Brien and Jo Shapcott. Concise and practical, Writing Poetry offers an inspirational guide to the methods and techniques of this challenging and rewarding genre and is a must-read for aspiring poets.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2010

About the author

W.N. Herbert FRSL (b. 1961) is a Scottish poet. He writes in both English and Scots. He and Richard Price founded the poetry magazine Gairfish. He currently teaches at Newcastle University.

Herbert was educated at Grove Academy and then studied Brasenose College, Oxford, becoming a Doctor of Philosophy in 1992 after completing a thesis on the work of Hugh MacDiarmid.

In 1994, he was Writer-in-Residence for Morayshire and one of 20 poets chosen by a panel of judges as the New Generation in a promotion organised by the Poetry Society. He was one of the writers involved in the Informationist poetry movement that emerged in Scotland in the 1990s.

In September 2013, Herbert was appointed as Dundee's first makar.

Reviews

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s some great ideas to try in terms of writing exercises. There are lots of good examples of poetry to read but it’s so dry and ironically seems to show a lack of consideration for the reader.

There must be better books out there on the same topic.