Does formal writing seem dated and unfashionable? Perhaps a literary makeover is in order. This generative one-week workshop will look at contemporary approaches to writing in poetic form. We’ll focus on traditional forms (ghazal, pantoum, sestina, sonnet, and villanelle) while brushing the dust off them to find “remixed” ways of approaching formal constraints. We’ll examine the history/parameters of each form, read contemporary examples, and find ways to co-opt, subvert, and reinvent these old forms. Ultimately, we’ll investigate how self-imposed formal constraints lead us into unexpected places in our writing. Commitment load: one new poem generated each day.

Following the class, each student will receive a detailed email about their work, with ideas about moving forward.