I wouldn’t be a poet without workshops. Well, I would, but I’d still be the kind of poet that wrote in a decidedly furtive manner and never allowed my work to see the light of day. Poetry workshops have allowed me to develop skills and confidence in a way that is hard to achieve simply by study and solo practice.
Why are workshops such a good way to develop poetry skills?
Feedback
Poetry workshops often provide a space for poets to share their work and receive feedback. This feedback can help a poet to identify areas for improvement, and gain insight into what is working well in their poems.
Exposure to different styles of writing
In a poetry workshop, poets have the opportunity to read and discuss poems by other poets. This exposure to different styles and techniques can help a poet to expand their own repertoire and find new ways to approach their writing. Poetry workshops have introduced me to some of my favourite writers and to styles and techniques that inform and add texture to my own work.
Community
Poetry can be a solitary pursuit, but workshops provide an opportunity for poets to connect with others who share their passion for the art form. This sense of community is one of the most important benefits of a poetry workshop. I’ve met so many interesting, supportive people through poetry workshops and encountered beautiful, moving, highly skilled work. Being part of poetry workshops helps to create a sense of immersion, of value in the work for its own self. It’s a beautiful thing.
Structure and accountability
Poetry workshops often provide a structured environment for writing and sharing poems, with deadlines and expectations for participation. This structure can help a poet to stay focused and accountable, and to make steady progress in their writing. Many of the workshops I’ve attended have been online and the simple discipline of a daily prompt and regular feedback means writing can become part of my day. It may not always be a big part, and some of my responses to prompts have been decidedly weak over the years. That’s not always important. The important thing is to make space to write. The polishing and perfecting can come later.
Workshops support better mental health
These benefits go beyond developing skills in poetry. Being part of a workshop gives a host of benefits to our mental health. For someone like myself, who can struggle to be part of day to day interaction, the social interaction offered by online poetry workshops has been a lifeline. People who find it hard to integrate and interact may feel more at ease in a workshop environment – the emphasis is on the skill being learned, not the ability to make small talk. This social connection can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
Workshops offer a chance to work towards a common goal and to develop skills along the way. A well-run workshop creates confidence, which in turn boosts self esteem in a host of ways. Being part of a creative workshop also allows us to share our emotions, and some of our most impactful experiences. As a facilitator this needs careful handling but for the most part this mutuality is a powerful way to increase understanding and decrease our sense of being alone.
Workshops and woodland
One of my goals for this year is to develop a series of workshops that marry poetry, nature and wellbeing. I’m lucky enough to live amongst woodland, near pools and rivers (I’m aware this makes me sound like some sort of elf – I’m not). I’m also in an area that is brimming with industrial history. This clash of environments fascinates me and offers huge scope for both excellent poetry and exploration of emotions. Combine this with the innate brilliance of the workshop model as a vehicle for learning and the scope for something positive and uplifting is immense.