Who Are The People In Your Workshop?
This is the 3rd semester where I've been in a class that has workshop groups. You learn a lot about people in your group, and a lot about the different perspectives on your writing. Workshops are very helpful. They're also a tad scary at first. You're in a small group where everyone is focused on your writing. It's vulnerability city. A chance for people to be critical of your work.
A good workshop group will challenge your work in order to help it grow. Obviously it will also take the time to highlight what strengths you have. After three semesters of this, I've been in groups with a lot of great people. Every once in a while you get someone who doesn't get the concept. But this semester I've been really blessed that all my poetry groups have done a thorough job of workshopping my poems using a good balance of respect and constructive criticism.
Recently we've been assigned to a specific group. The three other members of my group I think have made the best balance of artists I've had a chance to work with.
Marie
In the past I've admittedly been apprehensive about workshop group members who don't say much. At times I've been impatient or even worried that they really did not like what I or others have read. I've also felt like when they've contributed their work it was really good but there was no sharing of their writing experience. Marie has taught me differently. She is a brilliant writer who has also taken the time to show the different stages of her writing process. In our first group her poem was still in an embryotic stage but had a lot of potential. This time around she had a really polished piece that invoked a lot of emotion. I would compare her to a classic poet. Her style is straightforward, simple, but has these great images that stick with you forever. I've learned to be more patient with her silence knowing that when she does share her advice and perspectives are worth the wait.
Keith
Just as I've been cautious about more quiet students I also felt intimidated by other grads. I've almost felt like I'm not in their own league. Keith has been this great writing 'teammate' (and his style of advice giving rivals that of any student affairs expert schooled in the ways of challenge and support). Moreover there's a calm wisdom to his advice, something from years of experience by someone who is really dedicated to the craft both by writing and reading poetry. His writing is sensational too. He has this 60's beat poet voice in most of his work that really comes through. And he's a great reader as well. He's also taught me that no artist is perfect when they start the creation process.
Russ
If Kurt Cobain was reborn as a college student, minus the ongoing agony, it would be Russ. His writing is a good mix of unique lyrical resonance and abstract deeply cognitive themes. He rounds out the group with an artistic flair that is balls out. He would actually probably use the phrase balls out. He's experience a lot in life, and uses his poetry to write about many facets that everyone goes through. His writing is also the kind of poetry that will push you out of your comfort zones. Really make you think. Really make you try something different. Learn something new.
What do I bring to the group? Good question. I think I'm the outsider but in a good way. I'm the one with the least amount of poetic experience but I feel like I can still contribute a style that is alliterative and entertaining. I'm a classic storyteller finding ways to explore my writing through a medium I would not thing would fit my style. Whereas I can see the three other members getting published in more literary journals and magazines, I'm more of an [adult swim] poet.
What's mot important is that despite feeling like the odd man out in this group, all three of them, different personalities, lifestyles, and histories, are all artists through and through. And they are willing to share their gift of art, and help you with yours. In the future I will try and post some of their poems so you can get a flavor for what they're all about. For now, I thank them for what they have taught me and contributed to my poetic experience.
pb
A good workshop group will challenge your work in order to help it grow. Obviously it will also take the time to highlight what strengths you have. After three semesters of this, I've been in groups with a lot of great people. Every once in a while you get someone who doesn't get the concept. But this semester I've been really blessed that all my poetry groups have done a thorough job of workshopping my poems using a good balance of respect and constructive criticism.
Recently we've been assigned to a specific group. The three other members of my group I think have made the best balance of artists I've had a chance to work with.
Marie
In the past I've admittedly been apprehensive about workshop group members who don't say much. At times I've been impatient or even worried that they really did not like what I or others have read. I've also felt like when they've contributed their work it was really good but there was no sharing of their writing experience. Marie has taught me differently. She is a brilliant writer who has also taken the time to show the different stages of her writing process. In our first group her poem was still in an embryotic stage but had a lot of potential. This time around she had a really polished piece that invoked a lot of emotion. I would compare her to a classic poet. Her style is straightforward, simple, but has these great images that stick with you forever. I've learned to be more patient with her silence knowing that when she does share her advice and perspectives are worth the wait.
Keith
Just as I've been cautious about more quiet students I also felt intimidated by other grads. I've almost felt like I'm not in their own league. Keith has been this great writing 'teammate' (and his style of advice giving rivals that of any student affairs expert schooled in the ways of challenge and support). Moreover there's a calm wisdom to his advice, something from years of experience by someone who is really dedicated to the craft both by writing and reading poetry. His writing is sensational too. He has this 60's beat poet voice in most of his work that really comes through. And he's a great reader as well. He's also taught me that no artist is perfect when they start the creation process.
Russ
If Kurt Cobain was reborn as a college student, minus the ongoing agony, it would be Russ. His writing is a good mix of unique lyrical resonance and abstract deeply cognitive themes. He rounds out the group with an artistic flair that is balls out. He would actually probably use the phrase balls out. He's experience a lot in life, and uses his poetry to write about many facets that everyone goes through. His writing is also the kind of poetry that will push you out of your comfort zones. Really make you think. Really make you try something different. Learn something new.
What do I bring to the group? Good question. I think I'm the outsider but in a good way. I'm the one with the least amount of poetic experience but I feel like I can still contribute a style that is alliterative and entertaining. I'm a classic storyteller finding ways to explore my writing through a medium I would not thing would fit my style. Whereas I can see the three other members getting published in more literary journals and magazines, I'm more of an [adult swim] poet.
What's mot important is that despite feeling like the odd man out in this group, all three of them, different personalities, lifestyles, and histories, are all artists through and through. And they are willing to share their gift of art, and help you with yours. In the future I will try and post some of their poems so you can get a flavor for what they're all about. For now, I thank them for what they have taught me and contributed to my poetic experience.
pb
posted by Peter Brooks at 2:07 AM
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