‘The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you’ – Rumi
Would you like to discuss classic and contemporary love poetry in a friendly, supportive group?
Would you like to learn about different forms of poetry and writing techniques?
Do you want to be inspired to write your own poetry and have the opportunity to receive feedback on your work?
Mai Black – Course Tutor
This course consists of ten one hour workshops delivered via Zoom, spread out over ten weeks. The intention is to help you gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of poetry as well as inspire you to write a variety of new pieces of your own. It is suitable for both experienced poets and absolute beginners.
Starts: Mon 5th April 2021 (7.30pm to 8.30pm)
Ends: Mon 7th June 2021 (7.30pm to 8.30pm)
Each session costs £5 and lasts for one hour (total £50)
I have recently added a Tuesday session too. This will run from Tuesday 6th April to Tuesday 8th June. Again, it will start at 7.30pm and end at 8.30pm. The content will be the same as for Monday’s group.
Each week, participants will read the poem in advance and try to think of a comment to make or question to ask. All the poems (together with links to the texts) are listed below. After a reading, sharing of ideas and brief input from me, everyone will write a short piece which can either be shared straight-away or worked on before the next session.
On weeks five and ten all participants can choose to read a short published poem as well as one of their own pieces.
The course costs £50 for ten one-hour sessions and is payable by direct debit. If you email me your mobile phone number, I can text you my bank details.
There are only eight places available on each course. I can confirm a place once I receive payment. If the course is cancelled for any reason, I will reimburse you.
Unfortunately I can’t offer automatic refunds if you decide not to join the course at a later date but, if someone else is able to take your place, I will endeavour to do so.
Or phone me on 07943 068033 (I’m Mai – pronounced May)
Suffolk Writers Group at work and play. (I’m in the middle at the top).
Here is some of the lovely feedback I received about the last course.
‘This course has been great fun giving me the experience to return to poetry and fully appreciate it. When I was at school the teacher hated poetry so I never went back to it. I have learnt so much in a relaxed and informative way. Thank you Mai for a great experience. I look forward to the next one.’ – Jacqui Martin
‘All I can say is thank goodness for lockdown. Without it I’d never have found this lovely group. Mai is great – I’ve learnt so much in such a short length of time.’ – Sue Dale
‘Brilliant insightful course, rediscovering the beauty of language.’ – Ian Speed
‘It’s such a supportive group and Mai does such a great job in keeping us motivated.’ – Ian Hartley
(I can be flexible about this so long as it’s not before April 2022)
Day/Time – Possibly Monday mornings (I can be fairly flexible)
Ten Week Course
Venue – Ideally Ipswich but possibly Snape Maltings
Cost: £120
This ten-week course is aimed at members of Suffolk Poetry Society who want to read, write and discuss nature poems with a group of friendly, like-minded people. It’s suitable for poets of all levels, whether or not you’ve had work published. So long as you love poetry, enjoy sharing as a group and are open to trying new things, you’ll be very welcome.
Mai Black – Course Co-ordinator
Each week, we’ll all read the poem in advance and print out a copy. Try to think of a comment to make or a question to ask. During the session, everyone will write a short piece which can either be shared straight away or worked on before the next session.
On weeks five and ten, all participants can choose to read a published nature poem as well as one of their own pieces.
The course costs £120 for ten two-hour sessions (including a fifteen minute break)
If people text 07943 068033, I can text over my bank details. I can also accept cheques or Paypal. (If you’re using Paypal, please add an extra £3 to cover their charges).
Here is some of the lovely feedback I’ve received about previous poetry courses.
‘All I can say is thank goodness for lockdown. Without it I’d never have found this lovely group. Mai is great – I’ve learned so much in such a short length of time.’ – Sue Dale
‘Brilliant insightful course, rediscovering the beauty of language.’ – Ian Speed
‘It’s such a supportive group and Mai does such a great job in keeping us motivated.’ – Ian Hartley
Poems for discussion and inspiration
Week One – I Remember, I Remember by Thomas Hood
Week Two – Pied Beauty – Gerald Manley Hopkins
Week Three – Everybody Sang by Siegfried Sasoon
Week Four – Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost
Week Five – Members’ Choice
Week Six – Emmonsail’s Heath in Winter by John Clare
Week Seven – Sunlight on the Garden by Louis McNeice
Week Eight – Home – Thoughts from Abroad by Robert Browning
Week Nine – Blackberry Picking by Seamus Heaney
Week Ten – Members’ Choice
All these poems can be found in this book. You will also be able to find them easily with an internet search. As well as reading the poem in advance, you may also like to do a bit of background research about the poem or poet.
To find out about me and other creative writing courses I run, visit my Suffolk Writers Group website by clicking here.
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