The singular goal of our writing group is to help improve each member’s writing of poetry. Although an important part of the process, we will do more than simply share and critique each other’s original poetry. To improve we must write and read poetry, and be challenged in various ways. The challenges Poets Corner members may experience could include the following:
- Writing to prompts, to different forms and ekphrastic writing challenges
- Include accomplished poets in our sessions
- Include musicians in our sessions to better understand the link between music and poetry, and find additional inspiration
- Share/discuss/dissect poems from favorite, well-established poets
- Share thoughts on books that members are reading, not necessarily poetry related
- Critiques may be done during the session, having heard the poem for the first time. Or, our poems may be shared in advance for more time to spend with the poems prior to our critique session
- Offer an overarching academic approach to poetry that will explore poetic terms, forms, and styles
Although the intent of this writing group is to challenge our members with a rigorous approach, none of this is intended to diminish the overall intent to have fun and enjoy the process. Every member will be afforded courtesy and kindness.
Time & Place: The Poets Corner writing group will meet the first and third Thursdays of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the LRJF Writing Center. Email reminders will be sent out prior to each Poets Corner session.
If you are interested in finding out more about this group, please call us at 772-569-6718 or email us at admin@lrjf.org.
Please note: participation in our writing groups, effective September 1, 2021, will require membership in LRJF (Currently $50 a year for individuals and $75 for households). Register for membership here.
Meet your facilitator:
Michael Howard
Michael is a longstanding member of LRJF and the Porch Poets Writers Group. He was the facilitator for the Pole Barn Poets for many years. In recent years he published two collections of poetry The Lightning and the Gale and The Impeded Stream. He is currently working on a third collection.