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The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 778 ratings

From the nuts and bolts of craft to the sources of inspiration, this book is for anyone who wants to write poetry-and do it well.


The Poet's Companion presents brief essays on the elements of poetry, technique, and suggested subjects for writing, each followed by distinctive writing exercises. The ups and downs of writing life—including self-doubt and writer's block—are here, along with tips about getting published and writing in the electronic age. On your own, this book can be your "teacher," while groups, in or out of the classroom, can profit from sharing weekly assignments.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"We wanted to create a book," say poets Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux in their introduction to The Poet's Companion, "that would focus on both craft and process." The book they have created is an impassioned exploration of poetry writing that addresses subject matter, craft, and the writing life. The reigning wisdom is that poets, like other creative writers, should write what they know. "The trick," say the authors, "is to find out what we know, challenge what we know, own what we know, and then give it away in language." Elsewhere they add that, while "as poets, we need to write from our experience ... that experience may be mental, emotional, and imaginative as well as physical."

Addonizio and Laux are lively spokespersons for the poet's life; they pepper their thoughts with well-chosen poems from their contemporaries--including David Bottoms, Jack Gilbert, Linda Gregg, and Jane Kenyon--and they conclude each short chapter with an invigorating collection of ideas for writing. These "ideas" culminate in a terrific section of writing exercises at book's end: write a poem describing "your most acutely embarrassing moment"; "write a poem of praise for an unlikely group of people, things, ideas"; "write a poem about the last time you saw a loved one you lost." I found myself a bit frustrated by the brevity of the discussions (most chapters are under 10 pages) and a bit put off by the first person plural narrative (do Addonizio and Laux really agree on everything they say they agree on?), but these are mere quibbles. This is a fine book indeed. --Jane Steinberg

From Library Journal

Poets Addonizio and Laux warn against cliche, and although textbooks on writing come a dime a dozen these days, theirs is head and shoulders above the rest. There are three main sections: "Subjects for Writing" (e.g. death, the erotic), "The Poet's Craft" (metaphor, rhyme), and "The Writing Life" (self-doubt, writer's block); four separate appendixes list other writing texts, anthologies, marketing tips, and electronic resources. The many exercises offered emerge largely from the intensive one-day workshops conducted by Addonizio and Laux. Both knowledgeable and practical in their approach, the authors offer everything a poet needs, including one feature more necessary than ever in the postliterate age yet absent from other writing texts: a gentle yet insistent lesson on grammar. Highly recommended for all libraries.?David Kirby, Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004GKMBIY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition (November 22, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 22, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 653 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 778 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
778 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful and inspiring for learning poetry writing practices. They appreciate the suggestions for enhancing language and exercises, as well as the rule of thumb for several standard forms. Readers find the examples and prompts for inspiration thought-provoking and creative. They describe the book as functional, entertaining, and worth the cost. The short chapters are easy to read and browse through, making it enjoyable and not boring.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

51 customers mention "Book content"51 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's content. They find it useful and inspirational, providing tips and encouragement. The writing is clear, and many useful topics are covered. Readers enjoy reading the book and learn new things or refresh old knowledge.

"...But this is a fantastic little book and I love having both a hard copy to underline and put notes in and a Kindle copy to keep with me on my phone..." Read more

"...The tone is inspirational honestly, always providing tips and writing encouragement...." Read more

"...The suggestions at the end of each chapter are down to earth and do-able, unlike some books that are just too high-minded for the average person...." Read more

"...I still feel it has been helpful, although much of it I would have preferred to have never read! Poor choice of examples to a student indeed!..." Read more

47 customers mention "Writing ability"46 positive1 negative

Customers find the book helpful for learning poetry writing practices. They appreciate the suggestions for enhancing language and exercises. The book is described as an insightful, well-written primer for serious writers. It offers interesting exercises and rules of thumb for several standard poetry forms. Readers enjoy the occasional tongue-in-cheek writing and humor. The book provides a delightful different perspective for aspiring writers.

"...I love the examples chosen for this book--many beautiful, contemporary poems that utilize vivid and unexpected imagery. I find them inspiring...." Read more

"...This is a nice positive twist and delightful different perspective for aspiring writers and though it sounds to be directed at amateurs, I think any..." Read more

"...The suggestions at the end of each chapter are down to earth and do-able, unlike some books that are just too high-minded for the average person...." Read more

"...Good challenge and good lessons to glean from and grow as a writer. I still plan on keeping this around, probably with a few pages removed." Read more

27 customers mention "Motivation"24 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides motivation through interesting exercises and prompts for inspiration. They appreciate the thought-provoking educational guides and creative prompts. The book helps organize ideas and writing in a practical way.

"...in meter and poetic forms that another textbook might, but I love the examples and the prompts for inspiration...." Read more

"...This is a nice positive twist and delightful different perspective for aspiring writers and though it sounds to be directed at amateurs, I think any..." Read more

"...It's one of the most inspiring, practical and encouraging books about writing poetry that I've ever read, and trust me, I've read them all...." Read more

"...Good challenge and good lessons to glean from and grow as a writer. I still plan on keeping this around, probably with a few pages removed." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They say it provides unlimited creativity and knowledge of poetry, and saves them a lot of money.

"...It's worth its weight in gold!" Read more

"...Fast delivery and on time for when I needed to have it. Great value and quality product" Read more

"...It really pays tribute to its title and leaves the reader with more of a poetic mind...." Read more

"This used book is in excellent condition at a very reasonable price." Read more

6 customers mention "Functionality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book functional and entertaining. They appreciate the short chapters.

"Very useful" Read more

"I find this book very useful in that the chapters are short, which makes it easier to absorb the information therein, and because the short chapters..." Read more

"Purchased for a college class. It's okay but I would say just read and watch poetry videos and don't buy this book." Read more

"Very helpful!! This was for a class and it worked out great!" Read more

6 customers mention "Reading pace"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's short chapters easy to read and navigate. They enjoy reading the first chapter and look forward to completing it. The opening chapter provides an excellent introduction to poetry writing, encouraging writers to create their own work.

"...It is simple and straightforward, easy to follow and not boring as some other texts are...." Read more

"...But I'm not (kidding, I mean). This is a great, quick little book if you want succinct tips on the most important matters for writing poetry...." Read more

"I find this book very useful in that the chapters are short, which makes it easier to absorb the information therein, and because the short chapters..." Read more

"The book is in great condition. I rather enjoyed reading the first chapter for my school assignment...." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it warm, funny, and entertaining.

"...It's warm and funny and you feel a real presence from the authors as if you have teachers with you...." Read more

"...I love its occasional tongue-in-cheek writing, its humor and its fine taste in picking poems to use as examples...." Read more

"This is a strong, funny collection with work by some of our best poets." Read more

"...Functional AND entertaining. With this book by your side, there's no excuse not to Write On." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021
    I picked up this book after hearing Kim Addonizio give a reading at my college when I was an undergraduate. Creative Writing and poetry were my areas of emphasis and although we used a different textbook in my poetry class, I came to love this one. It won't give you the formal training in meter and poetic forms that another textbook might, but I love the examples and the prompts for inspiration. It's my favorite book to turn to when I feel the creative well is running dry. It's warm and funny and you feel a real presence from the authors as if you have teachers with you. I haven't met Dorianne Laux, but I have chatted with Kim Addonizio twice after readings and she was lovely. (Her readings are fantastic, by the way, and I highly recommend them!)

    If you are familiar with Kim Addonizio'ss poems then you shouldn't be surprised to find a section on erotic poetry in this book. Erotic poems have a long tradition in poetry and they are not "porn" as one reviewer suggested. Sexuality and sensuality are part of life and the artistic expression of such is a special skill set. I think it's fantastic that this book doesn't sensor that.

    I love the examples chosen for this book--many beautiful, contemporary poems that utilize vivid and unexpected imagery. I find them inspiring. They make me want to write and they make me want to be a better writer.

    I do believe that if you are a beginner or if you are considering this book as a textbook for a class you should consider it as a supplement to a book that goes into a little more depth in certain areas, such as Writing Poems (see if you can get an older edition, if you are lucky, as I see this book has become quite expensive). But this is a fantastic little book and I love having both a hard copy to underline and put notes in and a Kindle copy to keep with me on my phone so I can have a little inspiration with me for easy access.

    No matter where you are in your journey as a poet, I believe this is a wonderful book to have in your library.
    19 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2017
    Received brand new book in perfect condition for less than ten dollars. I needed this exact book for a creative writing course and I enjoy the exercises within the different sections. They are very thought provoking and creativity stimulating and would be excellent inspiration for any poetic or even descriptive writer. Also, I find the writing style of the author amazingly easy to read. It is simple and straightforward, easy to follow and not boring as some other texts are. The tone is inspirational honestly, always providing tips and writing encouragement. This is a nice positive twist and delightful different perspective for aspiring writers and though it sounds to be directed at amateurs, I think any author who may experience writer's block at times could find this useful and full of insight to try out fresh perspectives to pen about topics that may be applied to a broad range of subjects. Quality informative and yet uplifting text regarding poetic writing!
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2005
    I love this book. After reading the first chapter early one morning I went outside to feed and water my cats and came in and wrote a poem about flowing water, tangled morning glories and memories of my mother. It's one of the most inspiring, practical and encouraging books about writing poetry that I've ever read, and trust me, I've read them all. It has technical information and poems to illustrate each chapter, which is very helpful. The suggestions at the end of each chapter are down to earth and do-able, unlike some books that are just too high-minded for the average person. If you love to write poems and just need some inspiration and a little advice and encouragement, then definitely buy this book. It's worth its weight in gold!
    17 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
    The revised part of my review:
    I do agree with a reviewer; Thomas "Should Have Been Better" Especially his paragraph here: [Unless (like the authors) you think that Sharon Olds' "passing blood and feces and water" and her "stool black with iron pills" (page 234) are high points in the world of modern poetry, you may resist their suggestion to "read all five of her books, for pleasure first, of course, but secondly to examine how she goes about her difficult task" (page 47).]
    As I have read more, I am reevaluating my own opinions of this book. I still feel it has been helpful, although much of it I would have preferred to have never read! Poor choice of examples to a student indeed!
    This, is my original review:
    I thought it was going to be a bunch of lame assignments, well there definitely are some assignments so to speak. I haven't even made it through half of the 1st chapter and I've written 6 or 7 new reflections (which some call poetry)! It digs deep, at least it did for me...pretty personal when you open yourself up to it. Good challenge and good lessons to glean from and grow as a writer. I still plan on keeping this around, probably with a few pages removed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
    Got the book, plain simple. In tact, no blemishes or damage, no broken spine, nothing. Thank you!!
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Yay!

    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
    Got the book, plain simple. In tact, no blemishes or damage, no broken spine, nothing. Thank you!!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • joseph Pirrello
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration
    Reviewed in Canada on September 22, 2023
    Very didactic in terms of explanation of poetry devices. I found the text especially useful for writing prompts.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for beginner and experienced poets.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2023
    A great deal of helpful advice and activities to enhance the poet's craft. Also, a very good confidence booster that encourages the poet to explore new subjects and techniques. It would be a useful text to support workshop groups, too.
  • Carol
    5.0 out of 5 stars She is a wonderful teacher and terrific poet
    Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2017
    I was lucky to be in a presentation that Kim made at the 2015 Aldeburgh Festival. She is a wonderful teacher and terrific poet. That's why this is my choice, among all the how to books.
  • Barbara
    5.0 out of 5 stars If You Love Poetry Buy This
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2014
    An excellent, and lively companion I frequently return to; does what it says and more and now use it as my go-to manual.
  • Flying Mermaid
    5.0 out of 5 stars Poets' Companions: Laux and Addonizio
    Reviewed in Canada on June 3, 2016
    This book is twenty years old and still an awesome resource for learning about and writing poetry.

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