It's Here!

At some point, every student must not only learn about different poetic forms, but try their hand at penning a few. It can be daunting, even for those who enjoy poetry.

Following the same plain language, straight forward vein of Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers, So You Have to Write a Poem gives novices an easy-to-read guide with step-by-step processes and fun examples while giving more advanced poets a technical guide to the rules behind all their favorite poetic forms.

This volume includes:

• Nine forms of poetry, including chapters on ballads, blank verse, haiku, heroic couplets, limericks, the pantoum, sestinas, sonnets, and the villanelle. 
• Overviews on poetry basics like meter and rhyme scheme. 
• Detailed, easy-to-understand instructions and “cheat sheets” that outline the rules for each form of poetry. 
• And a section with a detailed explanation of how to analyze a poem.

So You Have to Write a Poem is designed to not only help students get through their poetry assignments, but also shows poetic skeptics how to enjoy the act of writing poetry, and gives poetry lovers a chance to learn some classic styles.

Find it on AMAZON

Coming Soon!

My new book, So You Have to Write a Poem: A Poetry Guide for the Non-Poetic - Coming Oct 6th!

At some point, every student must not only learn about different poetic forms, but try their hand at penning a few. It can be daunting, even for those who enjoy poetry.

Following the same plain language, straight forward vein of Ms. McLean’s Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers, So You Have to Write a Poem gives novices an easy-to-read guide with simple step-by-step processes and fun examples while giving more advanced poets a technical guide to the rules behind all their favorite poetic forms.

This volume includes nine forms of poetry, along with overviews on poetry basics like meter and rhyme scheme, detailed, easy-to-understand instructions and “cheat sheets” that outline the rules for each form of poetry, and a section with a detailed explanation of how to analyze a poem.

Available at your favorite bookstore or online retailer!

Announcement

In an effort to simplify things a bit, I've decided to keep everything in one place and will be moving all past and future posts to my main blog, Author Michelle McLean. There is now a tab on my main blog where you can find information on writing essays. As always, please email me if there are any questions you may have.

Thanks for following me - I hope to see everyone over on the main blog! :)

Poetry Game

Time for another poetry game! Head over to the Magnetic Poetry Online site (HERE), and choose up to 20 tiles to create your poem. Post them in the comments section. Here is mine:

Yesterday the universe slowed
My present lingers
Time is free
To haunt me.

How to Write an Essay or Term Paper - Characters

Sorry for the long absence - life has been crazy with a capital "C". But, on with our elements.

source

Characters are one of the most important, if not THE most important, element in any work of literature. Without a character, there is no story. Even if the story is about a frog...that frog is your main character. So, characters are a great element to look at when analyzing a work of literature for a paper or essay. Here are some questions you could ask about the characters in the story:

• Who are the characters?
• Who is the main character?
• Who is the main villain?
• What qualities/vices/characteristics/quirks/mannerisms do these characters have?
• What do these characteristics do for a particular character?
• What is the author trying to show with a certain character? For example, is the extreme evilness of the main villain supposed to symbolize the evil side of mankind? Does it work? Why or why not? 
• Do the characters personify anything? Qualities/characteristics/feelings? For example, if you were analyzing a story about a girl named Hope who went up against a villain named Dr. Evil, do these characters exhibit the qualities of hope and evil? Is Hope an optimistic person, etc?
• What flaws do the characters have? Or are they too perfect?
• Are the characters believable? Can you relate to them? Are they likable, intriguing, mysterious? How do these qualities affect the story?

Look at the characters from every possible angle and analyze what each character brings to the story. Think about why they are a part of the story, what their presence does, or does not, do for the story.

Contest!

Head over to my main blog (address on the sidebar) for the details on the awesome contest I've got going! The grand prize is a query critique by my wonderful agent, Krista Goering, Elana Johnson's awesome book, From the Query to the Call, and a $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

Entries will be accepted until midnight on Monday, March 1st!!