So, You Wanna Be a Poet

This workshop will focus on freewriting (the fun part) using “prompts” to get the creative juices flowing, followed by a framework for editing (the tear your hair out part) to reframe and fine tune your first drafts into something that can be submitted for publication with Confidence.

What to bring: pens (two because it’s embarrassing when your pen runs out of ink in the middle of a workshop) a pencil (for editing) and paper I used to provide this but, have you priced out legal pads lately?), your own coffee mug (full), *Optional* Bring some original work you may want to edit. (something you think has potential but isn’t there yet)

What you will get out of it:

1: A chance to work with a collaborative group of other writers, supporting each other in developing your craft (as opposed to it being just you, your laptop and a bag of chips. You know who you are!)

2: Some interesting insight into finding inspiration and a usable creative process to generate rough drafts of poetic work. (prompts, such as, “Write something you would never want your mom to read”)

3: Editing tips and techniques How to workshop a poem with others. How to comment on the poetry of others in ways that are useful, respectful and help you to improve your own work. (Do NOT say “This poem sucks”, unless it is a poem about a vacuum cleaner)

Please register for this workshop here. 

Hosted at the Connections Wellness Centre.

About the presenter:

Andrew J Burton MS Ed(FA) is an award-winning writer, theatre artist and poet with many years of experience in a range of writing practices. His work has appeared in The St Vital Lance, The Minstrel, Dateline Arts, Manitoba Theatre Centre, CaNon magazine, Ellery Queen, Biker magazine, Parent Connection, Dreamland, Thimbleberry, on CBC radio and other venues. Andrew Is a current member of the Simon Fraser University Writer’s Studio, (poetry cohort)