The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets
Recently appointed as the new U. S. Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser has been writing and publishing poetry for more than forty years. In the pages of The Poetry Home Repair Manual, Kooser brings those decades of experience to bear. Here are tools and insights, the instructions (and warnings against instructions) that poetsaspiring or practicingcan use to hone their craft, perhaps into art. Using examples from his own rich literary oeuvre and from the work of a number of successful contemporary poets, the author schools us in the critical relationship between poet and reader, which is fundamental to what Kooser believes is poetry’s ultimate purpose: to reach other people and touch their hearts.
Much more than a guidebook to writing and revising poems, this manual has all the comforts and merits of a long and enlightening conversation with a wise and patient old frienda friend who is willing to share everything he’s learned about the art he’s spent a lifetime learning to execute so well.
(20100308)
The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets Features- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
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- ISBN13: 9780803259782
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User Reviews....I'm so glad I found this book! I use it every time I'm struggling with a poem (which is quite often). Ted Kooser's advice is invaluable. -- The Poetry Home Repair Manual
Kooser's book is a no-nonsense guide to all you wanted to know about writing poems. He is an expert and illustrates his advice with many poems including some of his own. The other book that you might find useful would be
The Handbook of Poetic Forms by Ron Padgett -- If you only want one book on writing poetry this is it!
Kooser's book is aimed at the beginning poet, but anyone could pick up useful ideas about revision, metaphor and simile, and imagining an audience. Kooser's writing is warm and often funny, and his advice is realistic and practical. This is not a book to read if you're looking for a quick way to become a famous poet. But if you're interested in putting in the necessary hours (and hours and hours and hours) needed to turn out respectable writing, Kooser can help you use your time more productively and enjoyably.
Recommended. -- Practical, warm and witty
Whether you are an avid reader of poetry looking to explore your gift, or are already a budding poet, Kooser provides much good and useful advice. Do not think that this is a kit of parts that you'll assemble and create great poetry. Instead, _The_Poetry_Home_Repair_Manual_ seeks to teach you to become a poet. You will learn how to look at the world and _see_ it. You will learn how to effectively assemble and present your experiences and thoughts, and then go back and revise them.
What surprised me was that he even discusses getting published and what kinds of journals, periodicals, etc, you might consider. Throughout, you are reminded that you should write poetry not for notoriety, nor for money, nor for any other reason than to please yourself and fulfill an inner desire to express your soul. If you seek to be a poet for any other reason, you will be disappointed.
Myself, being a poet in the nebulous space between novice and intermediate, I found this book to be both an excellent reminder and the source of new visions. If you have not read any of Ted Kooser's poetry, I exhort you to find the time to do so (I am particularly fond of _Delights_and_Shadows_). There are many mediocre and bad modern poets; but Kooser is a true genius. -- Excellent refresher
I've been through the book twice and know I will pick up even more on the third. The book is a very fast read with practical and easy to understand advice. He covers everything from rhyming and metaphors to just plain good writing advice - poetry and prose. His advice makes great use of modern poems so you can see what has been getting published in the last few years. He only touches passingly on specific forms such as sonnets, but gives several recommendations for folks that want to dig deeper into specific forms.
This book is for those of us that like poetry - but don't know much about it. -- Helpful, practical, and easy to follow
