Post Script to Cross Training - Deborah Lee Luskin

Several readers have asked for the title of the book I’m using for my poetry exercises. Poetry Writing: Theme and Variation by David Starkey was published in 1999. While it’s still available in paperback, it costs $25. I’m using it because a colleague or publisher or sales rep gave me a copy back in my teaching days, along with the Instructor’s Manual. I never adopted it for a course, though over the years I’ve dipped in to it for ideas. My point is: it doesn’t matter what book you use, just as it doesn’t matter if you use a weight machine or free weights. What matters is that we each make a commitment to work out.

If you’re like me, you probably have a few writing manuals collecting dust on your shelves. Dust one off. Or check out your local library, independent bookstore or used book emporium. Maybe some of you have favorite books from a class you once took. Or maybe someone can recommend a prompt a day service. Ideas, anyone?

Thanks, as always, for your feedback. – DLL.

2 Comments

sellmypropertyquickly on January 25, 2012 at 3:52 am

My late husband had loads of writing books which he had in his office – as Reader and Lecturer at a University he used the books frequently. He had also planned to write a book but never got round to it sadly.

i have now got the same books at home for me to use as tools and I shall be looking at them to develop my skills as a writer.

granbee on January 25, 2012 at 5:46 pm

While there are many great writing-prompt services on line, the best guide I ever had to “stretch” my writing was a dream journal I kept for an entire year that required both colored sketches (doodles,didn’t matter) and written lines, either prose or poetry of what was in one’s head when first waking up in the morning. Great workout, I promise you.

sellmypropertyquickly on January 25, 2012 at 3:52 am

My late husband had loads of writing books which he had in his office – as Reader and Lecturer at a University he used the books frequently. He had also planned to write a book but never got round to it sadly.

i have now got the same books at home for me to use as tools and I shall be looking at them to develop my skills as a writer.
granbee on January 25, 2012 at 5:46 pm

While there are many great writing-prompt services on line, the best guide I ever had to “stretch” my writing was a dream journal I kept for an entire year that required both colored sketches (doodles,didn’t matter) and written lines, either prose or poetry of what was in one’s head when first waking up in the morning. Great workout, I promise you.