Finding the Poem in Your Life: An Entry to Writing Poetry

The rhythms and changes of everyday life are shared by all of us. Through observation and reflection, the practice of poetry can create meaning and beauty from ordinary moments. In this generative poetry workshop for adults, participants will learn how to mine their experiences to create poems that focus on the common or unexamined territory of their lives. Thematic examples from contemporary poets will serve as touchpoints. Prompts and guided writing exercises will help new and experienced poets find inspiration from within. Pens and notebooks will be provided for participants. You are also welcome to bring your own materials and/or a writing device like a laptop. The Butler MFA Community Workshop series is a free writing program facilitated by Butler University alumni of the MFA in Creative Writing. These one-off workshops, hosted at partner sites including bookstores, nonprofits, and public libraries in the Greater Indianapolis area, connect adults at all stages of their writing journeys with workshop experiences shaped by graduate-level study. Thanks to a generous gift from the Efroymson Family Fund, alumni from the program's concentrations in Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, and Fiction will guide local writers into creative practice. Each workshop is designed to help participants generate new work, learn new ways of thinking about the craft of writing, and more confidently continue their own writing practices. Learn more about Butler University's Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing by visiting their website.