Rating: 
Summary: The subtitle is true!!
Review: After finishing a writing workshop for poetry I found myself wanting to find a guide to help me continue along the path the class had started for me. After only reading the first 3 chapters I already had started to write four poems, and many more were floating inside my head. This book is amazing in how helpful it is.
Rating:
Summary: My poetic savior!
Review: As a writing major and tutor at UCSD, I have toted Kowit's book in my backpack as my constant and faithful companion. I've enjoyed witnessing my own as well as others' poetry, and writing in general, improve through the insightful suggestions in this book.As an instructor, Kowit encouraged me to "have fun" with my writing. This book echoes his personally delivered sentiment, since it masquerades as a fun way to approach writing, but actually is a serious tool for poets who are serious about their craft. This book helped me to examine my old, bad writing habits and ruts. Now, I hold my trite lines up for my own students to scoff at. If I improved, so could they. Under the tutelage of Kowit's warmth and wisdom, I finally am able to churn out good poetry that my professors compliment me for. No one can stop me now. Thank you, Steve Kowit, for putting this one in the palm of my hand!
Rating:
Summary: One of the books I would never be without.
Review: I bought this book just on a whim. It sounded interesting, the reviewers thought it was pretty good and so I sent off for it. That was two years ago, and I have read and reread it pretty much constantly ever since. His style is friendly, engaging, encouraging, occasionally chiding (in the nicest possible way) and very very inspiring. Each section focuses on specific aspects of writing - writing from memories, working with imagery and metaphor, how (and why) to revise, word music, experimental forms, traditional forms etc etc. Even a section on "Aweful Poems"! And believe it or not, that section was one of the most enlightening. He uses copious examples from contemporary poets to illustrate the points he is trying to get across, and ends each chapter with a series of exercises to make certain that you understand what you've been reading. Sounds tame, sounds boring, sounds mechanical, but oh, it is not! The final section - Nuts and Bolts - deals with the business of poetry as a business; the pros and cons of Poetry Workshops, where, when and why to start submitting your poetry. That sort of thing. And one of the nicest touches is the poem selected to end the book - Fleur Adcock's "Future Work" (on page 263, go on, have a look). It pretty much sums up the whole feeling of this book. The only downside is the certainty of writers cramp afterwards ...
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I got this book for a creative writing class, and haven't stopped using it since. I don't consider myself to be a poet, but this book has helped me create several different poems. I recommend it for anyone who wants a good handbook on writing.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for any writer
Review: I got this book for a creative writing class, and haven't stopped using it since. I don't consider myself to be a poet, but this book has helped me create several different poems. I recommend it for anyone who wants a good handbook on writing.
Rating:
Summary: Provided the exercises and examples I was looking for.
Review: I wanted to get a book that got me writing again. Since I've been out of school for years and haven't "had" to do any creative writing, I have gotten out of practice. I was looking for something to start me writing again. This books gives many exercises to try and sample poems as examples. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who wants to write again.
Rating:
Summary: Provided the exercises and examples I was looking for.
Review: I wanted to get a book that got me writing again. Since I've been out of school for years and haven't "had" to do any creative writing, I have gotten out of practice. I was looking for something to start me writing again. This books gives many exercises to try and sample poems as examples. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who wants to write again.
Rating: 
Summary: My constant companion
Review: I've had the privilege of having Steve Kowit as a teacher for several courses, so I'm prejudiced. The book is almost as good as having Steve in person. It is lively, provocative and inspiring. If you want to be a better poet, this is the book to keep on your writing desk, not on a bookshelf. It calls out to be used.
Rating:
Summary: My constant companion
Review: I've had the privilege of having Steve Kowit as a teacher for several courses, so I'm prejudiced. The book is almost as good as having Steve in person. It is lively, provocative and inspiring. If you want to be a better poet, this is the book to keep on your writing desk, not on a bookshelf. It calls out to be used.
Rating:
Summary: Steve Kowit is a god!
Review: Okay, well, maybe not a god, but an amazing man from whom I was honored to take a poetry workshop class. This book "sounds" like him, and is truly the best book I have on the craft of poetry. I keep having to buy new copies, as poet friends adopt the ones I lend to them.
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