Write2Ignite

C.S. Lewis gave this advice on writing, to a schoolgirl in America: “Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye.”

I think that is sound advice – pun intended!

I invite you to join me on September 28, for a day of reveling in lyrical language. We will take a look at poetic devices writers use to make their writing more musical using examples from picture books to YA.

This class is for:

• Children’s writers of all formats, genres and age groups – board books, picture books, middle grade, YA, fiction, nonfiction.
• Writers who want their prose to be more poetic. Everyone can use these techniques in their writing. Even when you do not need the overall tone or voice of the story to be lyrical, you can still incorporate poetic techniques. In fact, we will look at many middle grade examples that use poetic techniques but retain the specifically middle grade voice of the main character.
• Novice and experienced writers.
• People who have some idea of what poetic techniques are but would like strategies and tips on how and when to use them, how they differ, and what makes them work well.
• Writers who would love a list of mentor texts to study and learn from.
• Writers who see the beauty in the world God created around them and would like to share that in a way that resonates in a reader’s heart.

This class is not for:

• People wishing to improve their rhyme. People who write in rhyme are welcome, and the techniques we will look at can certainly be used to improve your rhyming story, but we will not focus on rhyme or meter.

What can you expect from this master class?

In the first session, we’ll focus on sound devices; in the second session, imagery; and in the third session, word choice. As some writers may be familiar with poetic devices, we will define them but quickly move on to exploring examples, analyzing what makes that particular poetic device work, and practical strategies to keep in mind when using that device. In the final session, we will consider word choice and look at how changing a single word can affect the whole sentence and how even individual letters can affect tone. We’ll end with general strategies for writing more lyrically according to the age of your audience and tips for using mentor texts.

Attendees will be able to download a list of books they can use as mentor texts. You are also welcome to bring a lyrical book you love that is not on the list. There will be three breakout sessions. You will have a chance to share examples of lyrical language from your mentor texts as well as practice some strategies from the sessions – for example, specific strategies for making a cliché fresh.

Register Now!

I hope to see you Sept. 28! You will not only get to spend the day with me and other like-minded writers, but there will also be special cameo video tips from other authors, and we’ll give away copies of each of my published books. I hope you leave inspired by beautiful writing and feeling empowered and equipped to better use poetic devices in your own prose.

Natalee Creech is a children’s author who is equally at home in Canada, (where she grew up) in the U.S., (where she studied education) and in South Korea (where she taught for many years). Weekly trips to the local library and listening to read-alouds for four children helped foster a love of language from an early age. Natalee currently teaches preschool at a classical Christian school where she gets to help kids fall in love with God and all things good, true, and beautiful. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two children, and two cats.

Natalee’s picture books, Nothing: Nothing Can Separate You From God’s Love and Something: One Small Thing Can Make a Difference, were both ECPA Christian Book Awards finalists in the children’s category, though her family’s favorite is the more lyrical When Day Is Done. 

Connect with Natalee
Facebook: facebook.com/nataleecreechauthor
Twitter: x.com/NataleeCreech
Instagram: instagram.com/nataleecreech Website: nataleecreech.com