We’re kicking off a new year of poetry at Reading to the Core. Stop by Catherine’s blog for all of this week’s poetry links.
Happy 2018, poets and poetry lovers. Before you know it, February will be here.
That’s right. It’s almost time for our annual daily writing workout.
A little history: For four years, my blog hosted a community poetry project.
- In 2013, I celebrated my birthday month by writing every day in response to vintage postcards. I mailed the postcards, with their response poems, out to people by request. (Find the list of postcard poems here.)
- In 2014, fourteen poets wrote 144 poems about Pantone paint colors. (Find the list of Pantone poems here.)
- 2015’s project was writing in response to sounds. Fourteen writers participated and we wrote 177 original poems. (Find the list of sound poems here.)
- I was unprepared for the response our project had in 2016. The theme was found objects. Twenty-eight poets wrote 346 poems in the month of February. (Find the list of found object poems here.)
Last year, the project moved to a closed Facebook group to accommodate our growing community of about 60 poets.
- The 2017 project theme, 10 Words Found in the News, helped us create beauty, humor, and satire in response to current events. This prompt worked so well that, when February was over, we continued to write 10 Words in the News poems throughout the year.
This year, we’re heading back to the project’s visual-prompt roots.
Find a full definition at the Poetry Foundation.
2018 Theme: Ekphrastic At-home
The theme of this year’s project is ekphrastic poetry (writing in response to works of art), but with a twist. Poet Ann Haman suggested that we write in response to art pieces owned by members of the group.
Beginning January 31, a group member will post a photograph of a work of art (loosely interpreted) from their home collection. Art pieces might include paintings, sculptures, kids’ creations, photographs, or beautiful oddities. There will be a sign-up in the group’s files for those who’d like to be in charge of a daily writing prompt.
Special thanks to Kip Rechea, a past participant who will be acting as a group moderator and providing some administrative help.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PROJECT NEWBIES: As always, the point of this exercise is to practice the habit of writing regularly, even if it’s just for one month. Members of the project post response poems the same day so that we can focus on generating ideas and giving positive feedback, rather than polishing for publication.
Interested in joining us? You can request to join the closed 6th Annual February Daily Poem Project here.
This sounds wonderful! Will Kip let us know when it’s our turn to post? Or do we post when we feel moved?
Okay, I see that we sign up for day in our closed FB group. I’m slowly getting this!
I’m glad you figured it out, Hillary. So pleased that you’re joining this year’s project.
I’m IN and excited. I love the challenge of a daily product of something. It really helps me get into the habit of writing. Thanks for keeping this going. Writing to art prompts is a favorite of mine! Can’t wait.
Thanks, Linda. This prompt is so inventive! Ann Haman came up with a great twist on ekphrastic poetry. I think a lot of project members are excited to get writing.
It is a pleasure to go on this journey again, Laura. Of all, I still loved that Pantone poetry year. Thanks for celebrating with us!
I did love the Pantone project, Linda. The combination of color and paint names gave us a lot of space to imagine and invent.
I’m looking forward to the art creations that will appear over the month–both visual and written. Thanks for carrying the baton forward Laura!
Glad you’re joining us again this year, Michelle.
I’m keen to give it a go. I’m doing Anastasia’s 30 for 30 challenge in January so by February will be ready for a new challenge!
Wow — back to back daily writing challenges. I’ll be cheering you on, Sally! I didn’t complete the challenge last year (still working on that!) so I’m hoping to do all 28 days in 2018.
Laura, this project has given me a reason to love February! Ekphrastic poetry is one of my favorite forms, and I can’t wait to see the artworks people share. Thank you so much for creating this amazing project!
Glad to have you back, Catherine. I’m looking forward to it! Visual prompts are always fun, but these glimpses of people’s treasures will be great.
How fun does this sound? I’m in and I know just the artwork for the challenge, too! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more.
Welcome, Christie! Let me know if you have any questions.
I am looking forward to taking part again this year! It was such a positive experience, even though I didn’t keep up with the monthly prompts through the year. Thank you for supporting this community.
Thanks, Kay. I love how supportive the group is. (I’m still working on the 2017 prompts too.)
Go, Laura, go!! Good luck to all your Poetry Project participants!
Thanks, Tabatha. We’ll have to plan our birthday get together soon!
Yay for poems inspired by art! I am not fond of the word “ekphrasis” (it sticks like a fish bone, doesn’t it?) but I sure do love what it means. 🙂 What a gift you are to the community, Laura… happy writing to all!
Thanks, Irene. I’m sure you’ll see some of the response poems shared for Poetry Fridays. <3
This sounds fantastic! My post today was all about looking for more poetry inspiration. Thank you for putting all this together.
Hi, Rebecca. Hope to see you over at the Facebook group!
I’d love to try again this year. Always happy to write poetry. Will we be given permission to use the photos on our sites if we want to post a poem?
That is a great question and an important point, Brenda. I will ask the group. Thank you!
Laura, thank you for offering this exciting challenge to all of us again. I am looking forward to searching my house for just the right artwork to use as prompts.
It’s always fun to read your responses, Carol. If I remember right, you have completed the challenged every year — an impressive feat!!
I’m so excited to participate again! This will be my first attempt at ekphrastic poetry–a new year and a new challenge. Your project will warm up these cold winter days!
Molly — I think you’re going to love this prompt. There are bound to be some great surprises.
Love the theme for the year! (Wasn’t sure I could do news again…)
I really need this shot in the arm. I got into a haiku-rut and I need to work the rest of my poetry muscles!
I loved following along and seeing your #haikuforhealing ripple out through the Poetry Friday community, Mary Lee. Looking forward to writing with you in February.
Hello Laura,
I found the Facebook group, and requested to join, but did not the DM from you. I will wait and see if it comes later today. Looking forward to joining the group!
Hi, Dani. Thanks for the message. The group grew so much this year that I capped membership at 100 people. If we manage okay with so many people participating, I’ll open it back up. Will send you a DM.
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