Family memories, members, and events can provide rich material for poets. Writer Kirun Kapur leads a day-long practical workshop designed to help you turn your family history into effective, meaningful poetry.
Begin by covering the elements of poetry and writing, with a focus on examining the family as source material. Investigate how a variety of poets have approached family-inspired writing, then spend time creating your own poetry. No writing or poetry experience is required, but in-progress works are welcome at the session.
Kapur concludes the day with a reading from her newest book of poetry, Visiting Indira Gandhi’s Palmist (Elixir Press), and participants are encouraged to share some of their newly created works as well.
10–11 a.m. Family as Source Material
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Family Stories in Contemporary Poetry
12:15–1:15 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own)
1:15–1:45 p.m. Writing Session
2–3:30 p.m. Generating New Ideas and Approaches
3:30–4 p.m. Readings
The poetry editor of The Drum audio literary magazine, Kapur taught creative writing at Boston University and through the Harvard Extension program. Her work has appeared in the Beloit Poetry Journal, Crab Orchard Review, Massachusetts Review, AGNI, Christian Science Monitor, and other journals and news outlets.
Kapur’s book is available for sale and signing.
Other Connections
Read the title work of Kirun Kapur’s collection Visiting Indira Gandhi’s Palmist.