Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Finding Poetic Footing

For a long time now my writing has been guided by a piece of advice my dissertation advisor gave me--"Read widely and deeply." And so, I read to become a better writer. Many of the ones pictured below, to be exact.
(These are a few of the shelves in my office.)

These books have been and continue to be wonderful resources, but a while back I realized that reading was simply not enough. I needed more formal education. (What else would you expect from a teacher?!)

After many months of anticipation I finally leave on Thursday for a Founders Workshop at the home of the founders of Highlights for Children®. Entitled Wordplay: Writing Poetry for Children, this workshop will be led by Rebecca Kai Dotlich (see her Poetry Makers interview), Alice Schertle, and Susan Pearson. I'm over the moon with excitement and more than a little bit nervous. It's for this workshop that I've been assigned the task of choosing three favorite poems for children. I wrote a bit about this earlier in the week. (I've selected two of the three poems, by the way. What a fabulous lesson in opportunity cost!)

I'm not sure I'll be blogging while I'm there, but will definitely tell you all about it when I return. Wish me luck!

8 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for you, Tricia! You're going to love the Founders House. And they will love you. Live "widely and deeply!"

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  2. That grove of cabins in Boyds Mills is one of my favorite places to be, followed closely by the living room of the Founders House. Have a wonderful time, Tricia!

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  3. Oh, good luck, and have fun--what a wonderful opportunity! A friend of mine did the Highlights week at Chautauqua this past summer, and she is still raving about how valuable it was.

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  4. Oh Tricia, I'm so envious of you! I really wanted to go to that workshop, but finances just wouldn't allow it. I hope you'll share some of your experience with us when you return. Enjoy!

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  5. have a great time, Tricia! We'll have to catch up when you get back...

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  6. Have an amazing time! Rebecca is such a sweetheart. I know she'll be a really generous teacher. Say hi for me!

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  7. How wonderful for you. One of my writing critique group members went to a writing retreat sponsored by Highlights last November. It was fabulous. I am soo sorry not to make it east for the conference in Oct. Have a great time at both!

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  8. I just saw this today, Tricia, and am excited to hear about the workshop! I was on the looong waiting list, so didn't get in this time. But I'm signed up for the spring. :-)

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