Class Description
As artists, we often write with an audience in mind. While it’s important to honor the reader’s presence, that awareness can sometimes interfere with the raw process of bringing a poem to life. In this class, we’ll practice surrendering to our poems—letting them speak for themselves rather than shaping them to meet external expectations.
Through generative exercises, we’ll explore ways to break out of self-consciousness and discover who we are in our writing. We’ll lean into the erratic flow of human thought and learn to embrace the randomness of inspiration.
We’ll study poets like Ross Gay and Bernadette Mayer, who write as if in conversation—with themselves and with their readers. We’ll examine Marie Howe’s emotionally honest, curious voice, and the humorous, self-aware work of writers like Chesy Normile. By looking closely at how these poets infuse their work with personality, we’ll explore how to do the same—giving our poems voices that feel honest, distinct, and alive. This class is open to writers of all levels.
Who Should Register?
Grub @ The BPL has a special focus on making the creative writing workshop more accessible to those who face challenges due to cost, language skills, lack of access to transportation, and other barriers. We believe that all voices must be spotlighted with the range and fullness they deserve.
These programs are offered tuition-free thanks to the support of generous donors who are committed to our mission of ensuring all voices are heard.