Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within

I've been writing and devouring poetry for over 30 years and I found this book to be a valuable, inspiring aid to my writing and I'm far from a beginner.I've read (and loved) all of Ms. Addonizio's books and this is, by far, one of my favorites. She does cover some of the basics of poetry writing, but also delves into the deeper side of poetry with some fabulous examples - delicious tidbits thrown in by awesome poets like Sharon Olds, Billy Collins, Susan Browne, Lucille Clifton and Tony Hoagland to name just a few. The book is also overflowing with shimmering, thought-provoking quotes by other poets and writers. I wrote several in my "favorite quotes" notebook to refer back to.I was also thrilled to find quite a few new poems by the multifaceted Ms. Addonizio. Her poetry is as unique, distinctive and beautiful as Ms. Addonizio. I was happy to see one of my old favorites included, "What Do Women Want?" Reading this poem many years ago inspired me to go out and buy my first RED dress. You have to read the poem to understand....The book is divided into four parts with a total of 36 chapters:1. Entering Poetry2. Inner and Outer Worlds,3. The Poem's Progress, and4. Toward Masterymost with intriguing, motivating writing prompts to get your juices flowing. I read through the entire book and marked dozens of pages to go back to and re-read. I'm eager to get back into the book and try out some of the writing prompts.If you love poetry and just need a jump start to your writing, then definitely buy this book because it'll do the job. If you just love to read poetry, this book is for you, too, because it's loaded with poems!

I had been looking for a book on writing poetry that was both inspiring and technical; this book was all that and more. After reading this book I felt motivated to open up my notebook full of first draft poms and really get to work.

Ordinary Genius strikes a perfect tone; empathetic but not precious, upbeat but not chirpy, wise but not cynical, savvy but not smart-ass. Kim Addonizio writes with the easy authority of someone steeped in her subject. Unlike too many vaunted academics, however, she also has the knack of clarifying the complex, making it seem achievable, and actually inspiring a stymied writer to settle down and pin some words to a page. She serves a wonderful confection of poetic vignette, personal anecdote, nuts and bolts know-how, and implementable advice. Her feeling for an apt line is palpable, her insights into poetry are first rate, and her advice on how to deal with the challenges to getting published are as helpful as they are sharp. As the anthologist of  Sonnets for Sinners: Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love , I suppose, I might have been a tad biased in Kim's favor by her observation that poets are entitled to "invent" reality, which reminded me of lines from my favorite sonneter, Elan Haverford, "Poets are permitted lies / there'd be no poets otherwise." Let me add, however, that I have returned to Ordinary Genius, several times, it being one of those books one can dip into and discover a golden nugget on just about any page. In all, a wonderful gift. Bravo -- and Thanks! -- is what I say.

Addonizio continues to be the most honest and amazing voice of poetry we have. With razor sharp advice and a keen eye for nuance, she will take you into the magical world of creating your own personal stories in the form of verse.

I'm not a poet nor am I trying to be. But I started reading some poetry during the pandemic and then I saw how many poets credited Kim as a mentor/teacher/inspiration and then I googled her and then I read that this book was good for creative types other than poets so I bought it. And I'm enjoying it. Will it help my songwriting? Maybe. Hope so.

Book was alright... seems like all poetry books like this one, give the same writing tips .. not many new ideas

Between Paul Fussell's monk-like, monumental, cerebral tome, Poetic Meter and Poetic Form, and CA Conrad's shamanistic, hair raising and hilarious A Beautiful Marsupial Afternoon: New (Soma)tics, Ordinary Genius opens space to contemplate poetic craft and technique in fierce and user-friendly ways.

Ordinary genius is part textbook, part writing exercises and part Genius. I had to read this book for a college class and boy was I glad I did. It has multiple insights into the nature of poetry and how it works, for beginners, and people who have been writing for a while. It had a lot of really useful exercises for both content of poem, and the different techniques and elements of the poem (sound, rhythm etc.) that made is accessible in understanding the components and using them to write.Overall a really good and useful little book for anyone interest in poetry.

Addonizio is a magnificent American poet. Her work is consistently brilliant. This book is wonderful.

I'd describe this book as stimulating. It's main thrust is Creativity which is what so many writers lack, so it is a very good workbook and well worth having. The examples of written work are sometimes off centre but that in itself is forces creative thinking. I haven't finished it yet (books of reference take longer to read deeply) but I don't regret getting it.

The book came earlier than what i had expected...Its an Amazing book and has helped me a lot

Excellent book, swift delivery.

One of the most thoughtful, helpful, inspiring meditations on the art and craft of poetry that I've encountered. Highly recommended.