Some days you think you’re a genius, other days a fraud – does that sound familiar? Writing poetry is a solitary enterprise, but you are not alone. Find out how to develop your own unique style, strengthen your work and stretch your poetry muscles in a friendly, welcoming environment with like-minded people – and come away with a sheaf of new poems.
This week is a feast of poetry sharing and discovery. We’ll read published poetry and discuss what we find in it; we’ll enjoy lively exercises to stretch and challenge you, and will talk about how to get your work more widely read. We use prompts, quotes and brainstorms to get us started; working together, we ‘ll get out of any writing ‘ruts’ and find the very best in your own work.
One-to-one ‘surgeries’ with Jo will help you to identify your strengths and build on them. There will also be plenty of space to think, to write and to develop your own distinctive voice.
Jo Bell is a prize-winning poet and teacher for the Poetry School. Her collections include poems of archaeology, narrowboat life and dysfunctional love.
Former director of the UK’s National Poetry Day, she has twice been nominated for the Ted Hughes award and is currently the Poetry Society’s Canal Laureate. She lives on her narrowboat Tinker, currently in Wiltshire.
Her company, the Bell Jar, is named for the glass jar which ‘allows experiments to be conducted in a safe environment’ – which is what Jo hopes to do in all her workshops.