POETRY FOR ALL

Two not-to-be missed professionally run classes

By Zoom and appropriate for all levels.

MAKING POEMS: THE MAIN ELEMENTS

Saturday, 23 September 2023 (still available by recording)

Whether you are a new or more experienced writer, focusing on increasing the use of the basic elements of poetry will help you to write stronger poems that engage your readers.
In the first session, we will look at free verse and what poetic devices it uses (rhythm, imagery, language, metaphor etc.) and the use of line breaks and stanzas via some examples. We’ll take a brief venture into forms, which mostly (but not always) require rhyme, with further resources you can follow up if you are interested. We’ll talk about writing poems yourself, how to get ideas and write first drafts. We’ll write at least one poem during the session, with some exercises for you to do later. There will also be some discussion of reading poems – how to find what you like and then become more aware of what the poet is doing, which can lead to more writing of your own.

STRATEGIES FOR REVISING A POEM

Saturday, 7 October 2023 | 10 am to 12 noon (HK time)
Members: HK$300; Non-members: HK$400*

To make your poem the best it can be you need a toolbox of techniques.
In the second session, we’ll look at strategies for revising a poem through several drafts, adding layers, working on elements such as titles, first and last lines, and better imagery. We will also discuss poems written by participants after the first class (you are encouraged to submit a poem for this part of the session) and have a Q&A about aspects of writing, reading and revising. If there is time, we’ll write another poem.

The class will be recorded and made available for re-play for 7 days from the date of the event. Exclusive to those who have signed up.

NOTE: * WiPS annual membership fee is HK$600 (till end of 2024). If you decide to join us as a member within 7 days of this event, we will reimburse $100 back to you. 

Sherryl Clark taught creative writing for over 30 years, at Victoria University Polytech, Australia, and in the community and schools. She has a PhD in creative writing from Victoria University. She developed a number of online subjects while teaching and continues to offer workshops and classes via the internet/Zoom. Her past training workshops in Hong Kong were sell-outs.

Sherryl is a prolific writer of poetry. She has two collections of poetry published in Australia, and in December 2022 won the Prime Minister’s Literary award for children’s literature with her verse novel Mina and the Whole Wide World, published by University of Queensland Press. See: poetry4kids.net.

We will hold an in-person follow-up workshop in Hong Kong in October a week after Sherryl’s classes (date tbc) for anyone wishing to submit her poetry to Imprint 22. The deadline for the submission of such poetry will be 22 October 2023. This extension is granted exclusively for poetry to members attending Sherryl’s class or the WiPS-led revision workshop.