Writing.ie - Guest Blogs

Another in an occasional series on teaching creativity by poet, teacher and editor Dave Lordan

Another in an occasional series on teaching creativity in the classroom by poet and teacher, Dave Lordan.

I went along to the New Irish Writing awards on Tuesday held at the French Ambassador's residence on Ailesbury Road, possibly the most expensive house in Ireland. It has a fascinating story you can read here.

Next in an occasional series of post by Dave Lordan about teaching creativity in the classroom.

Does a poem written in the first tense have to be true?

Kalle Ryan runs the awesome Brownbreadmixtape monthly evening at the Stag's Head, Dublin. This month, together with Colm Keegan and Stephen James Smith, they are reviving their successful show from last year's Dublin Fringe Three Men Talking About Things They Kinda Know About.

Another in the occasional series on teaching creativity in the classroom by poet and teacher, Dave Lordan.

The first in an occasional series of posts by the poet and teacher Dave Lordan about teaching creativity in the classroom to young writers.

My poem was originally published in the Sunday Tribune New Irish Writing page and was shortlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing Award.

You can submit poems and stories to this monthly page, now in the Irish Independent.

The New Writing Page, edited by Ciaran Carty, wil now be appearing in the Weekend Review in the Irish Independent on the last Saturday of each month and is open to writers who are Irish or who are resident in Ireland. Entries may be submitted (with a SAE) to: New Irish Writing, The Irish Independent, 27/32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1.

Submit up to six poems. Stories should not exceed 2,200 words. Remember to include your name, e-mail address and phone number.

Details here

Mary Madec works with Villanova University in Ireland and has taught widely at Third Level (English lit. and Linguistics) but only recently had a shot at teaching writing. It's a very different process, the teaching of writing, she says and tells us more about her journey with writing here, how she got into it and why she stays with it.

There are twenty-four traditional poetic formats attributed to Welsh literature. This one from Grace O'Malley is the Awdl Gywydd.

Roger Gregg has been working with poems for years, putting them to music and performing as part of Crazy Dog Theatre. Read his interview here and his opinions about The Poetry Officialdom.

Build up a catalogue and reputation then...

The I, we, he, she of the poem.

I had no idea that punctuation in poetry was such a controversial area.

I had no idea that punctuation in poetry was such a controversial area.

Rhyme and poetry go together like tomatoes and onions, tea and milk, his and hers. They often go together, complement each other. But it's not mandatory.

Inspired by this piece by the poet and fiction author, Nick Laird in the Guardian (can't be doing without my Saturday Guardian) I've had a look at some of the online poetry tools he mentions.

Try writing a poem in a traditional form. Let's start with the sonnet.

Some more Irish Publications which publish poetry.