Writer's Digest | Cynthia Reeg

Okay, have you been doing it?

Writing a new poem every day during POETRY month this April???

I’m so proud of myself. So far (5 whole days) I’ve managed to do it.

My poems are posted among the hundreds of poems (click on Comments)

at “Poetic Asides with Robert Lee Brewer” from WRITER’S DIGEST.

I’m amazed how much fun it has been–this poetry challenge.

Mr. Brewer presents a new poetry topic each day.

So far, these are the prompts: origin poem; outsider poem; The problem with ____; animal poem; landmark poem.

Those prompts have helped me create poems on the etymology of “word;” pear tree blossoms;problems; a robin; and THE WORLD’S LARGEST BALL OF TWINE, in Kansas anyway.

Now it’s your turn to try writing poetry.

Remember, poems don’t have to rhyme.

Free verse poems are very close to regular talking–only you can break up the words and phrases the way you want to.

And you can use zinger words–words that pack a punch. Words that sound special or mean something special or make people almost smell something or see something special.

And poems don’t have to be serious either. Read some of Robert Lansky’s silly poems at GIGGLE POETRY. Be sure and check out his POETRY CLASS where he shows you how to write all different types of poetry. I’ve highlighted some of them in the paragraph above.

Henry, my yellow and white kitty,(see photo at the top) suggested a poetry prompt you can try for today: CATS.

And he wanted to let you know that he, and Herman & Holly are featured today at Mayra Calvani’s blog: “PETS and AUTHORS.”

Robyn Opie–Author, Children’s Books (an Australian author with more than 70 books to her credit) has a great website for children’s authors. She offers numerous how-to articles on writing children’s stories from picture books to YA. In her online Writing Tips, she shows all the ways to “make your story sparkle.” I especially liked her article, “How to Edit Your Children’s Book.” She explained all the ingredients for writing a winning story– pace, word choice, transitions, endings, and more. And in her presentation on “Plotting a Children’s Book,” she provides a plot map–a visual on how she plots her stories. Another of my favorites was her article, “Creating Ideas for Children’s Books.” Ms. Opie explains the way to never run out of story ideas is to be always on the lookout for them–open to new possibilities at every turn in your everyday life. It means “thinking and behaving as a writer” in every moment.

Ms. Opie’s site was chosen as one of Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for 2008. You can learn more about her at this YouTube interview. She offers online writing courses, as well.

And for more writing helps, visit my TIPS FOR WRITERS.

Cynthia Reeg

Children's Book Author

Category: Writer’s Digest

Writing Poetry about THE World’s LARGEST Ball of Twine

A Wonderful Website for Children’s Authors