Online: Writing Poetry with Vanessa Kirkpatrick

The much-esteemed Irish poet, Seamus Heaney, wrote that the moment he put his ‘feeling into words’ marked the discovery of his poetic voice.

In this week-long online poetry workshop with Vanessa Kirkpatrick, you will explore ways of tapping into and strengthening your authentic voice. You will also reflect on poetic metaphor’s talent for communicating intense emotion and experience.

Through a series of exercises as well as discussion of pertinent published examples, we will look at what lends poetry its particular power to resonate in our hearts and minds.

This poetry writing course will be held online.

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Expected learning outcomes

In this course, participants will:

1. Learn about aspects of poetry writing with a focus on metaphor.

2. Practise several techniques for generating new ideas for their writing through a series of exercises.

3. Learn effective techniques for editing their own writing.

Participant requirements

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. Participants would be encouraged to bring a draft essay into the week, or they will need to draft one during the week.

Is this course right for you? Please read our FAQ> for important information before enrolling. 

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

More information

The course takes place on a user-friendly website called Wet Ink, designed specifically for writing courses. Participants will have the week to work through the content and post responses to exercises designed to put the theory they’re learning into practice.

You do not need to log into the course at a specific time and there are no live meetings. You will receive an email with an invitation link to join the online classroom a week before the course starts.

• Participants will work through several lessons, which will open sequentially over the course.

• You can complete the lesson material in your own time.

• This course includes assignments and participants will give and receive peer feedback on their work. Some assignments will receive tutor feedback if completed by the deadlines provided.

Reviews

“I felt Vanessa to be very present and responsive throughout the course. Her feedback was succinct and very helpful. The feedback of other participants and the chance to consider and respond to their work was very effective for me, in honing my own editing skills.” – Brad, 2024

“I wanted MORE! All of the material was great, and the writing prompts were particularly good.” – Angela, 2024