Method and Mystery: A Research-Based Guide to Teaching Poetry, Plus Sixty Original Prompts to Take Your Students Deeper

In Method and Mystery Tresha Faye Haefner, M.A. Humanistic Psychology/Creativity Studies and founder of teaching institute The Poetry Salon explores the fascinating, unpredictable and enriching process of facilitating a poetry writing workshop. She offers clear insight into how teachers can create the ideal conditions for their students to access that most mysterious of realms, the place from which inspiration springs. This book is for both independent and institutional writing teachers who want a new, research-based approach to take their students to deep places. Teachers will receive:*Penetrating insights about their proper role in the creative process*Guidelines for how to set ideal conditions for students to access authentic creativity, build confidence in their voice, and savor the profound thrill of making poetry*Tried and true methods for helping students master essential techniques *Practical, research-based tools for creating effective writing prompts that take writers to inspirational, unexpected places*60 ready-to-use writing prompts for all skill levels “Haefner has written a book that is scholarly, generous, articulate and touching. A useful guide to the abstract ideas, and concrete requirements of teaching poetry to others.” -Jack Grapes, author of Method Writing. Founder of The Writer’s Collective, Los Angeles.”Tresha’s prompts take writers to deep and unexpected places in the psyche. Filled with fresh ideas and insights, facilitators will expand their reach to inspire pathways to the heart of a poem.”Jennie Linthorst, MA, CAPFAuthor, Founder of LifeSPEAKS Poetry Therapy”With masterful skill and deep sensitivity to the needs of both writers and instructors, Tresha Haefner’s Method and Mystery offers a step by step guide to the pleasures of writing poetry that is at once practical, magical, and entirely do-able. Readers will find her exercises and examples delightful tonic for navigating the exciting but sometimes overwhelming creative writing waters. Haefner makes it feel easy if not fundamental to an inspired life in the arts. This generous manual is essential to anyone considering a career in mentoring poets at all stages of their writing practice.”Michelle Bitting, MFA, MA, PhDLecturerDepartment of Englishwww.michellebitting.com