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Don J's Bestbook Poetry Guide Articles


Don J. Carlson Don J. Carlson is a poet, teacher, and a retired activity therapist who worked providing instruction and activities in a youth correctional facility for some twenty years. He has also been a commercial artist, school teacher, social worker, and a janitor/maintenance man. Through it all, he has been writing poetry, essays, and short stories for over forty years. Don and his wife, Mim, are musical performers, and have performed American Frontier music of the nineteenth century as a duet and in several other groups including Old Fuss 'n Feathers and The Waffles. They perform at many historic sites playing music of the civil war, trails west, and fur trade era.

Don has a bachelors degree in Art Education. He has taught high school, adult classes, classes at his local arts center, and has written many columns online as well as several self published books. Don has exhibited his drawings and paintings at art shows in various museums and has done illustrations for a number of books including his own. He has taught music, art, calligraphy, photography and writing, but states he still has a lot to learn!

Don admits he enjoys poetry and has read and studied it quite a bit since he was in high school. As a pastime, Don likes to write responses to the poets of history. These responses take many forms. At present he is working on a book of primarily parodies of famous poems. Don's poetry can be found in the Out of the Shadows - A Shadow Poetry Collection Vol. 1 published by Shadow Poetry (in the bookstore) as well as other places online. If you put his name "Don J. Carlson" into a search engine you will likely find some of those sites.

Bestbook Poetry GuideTo purchase more of Don J's books, simply click on the order link below. He has quite a few books to choose from for poetry and art lovers alike. Also, if you would like to purchase Don's Bestbook Poetry Guide for the low price of $12.00 (US), Order it Now!



Bestbook Poetry Guide Chapters:

  - Chapter #1: Resources for Poets

      - i. Make Friends with your Dictionary
      - ii. Make That Dictionary Work Hard
      - iii. Get Prehistoric or Modern Similes from a Thesaurus
      - iv. You May Want a Rhyming Dictionary
      - v. Learn the Name of Your Reference Librarian
      - vi. Searching the Internet and Bookstores
      - vii. Become a Student of the Language
      - viii. Every Poet Loves Poetry Links & the Used Bookstore
      - ix. Don't be Intimidated by Experts

  - Chapter #2: Reading and Writing Poetry: The Structure of Poetry (Rhythm)

      - i. Poetry Starts in Childhood
      - ii. Have You Heard the Drone?
      - iii. Web and Print Resources Can Improve Your Form
      - iv. What is an ABBA and an ABAB?
      - v. Listen Too!  Don't Just Read Silently.

  - Chapter #3: Reading and Writing Further

      - i. Structure: Poets Must First Learn to Use Their Feet
      - ii. Notice How Skillful Readers Accent the Words
      - iii. Study a Poetry Glossary

  - Chapter #4: Forms of Poetry

      - i. Random Forms of Poetry
      - ii. Stream of Consciousness
      - iii. Finding Found Poetry
      - iv. Write a Lot
      - v. Everybody Writes
      - vi. Concrete Poetry
      - vii. Try Your Own Variations of Visual Poetry
      - viii. Remember Whether You Use Variable or Fixed Fonts
      - ix. Look for Specific Forms of Poetry Online

  - Chapter #5: Other Forms of Poetry

      - i. Understanding the Form and Writing a Limerick
      - ii. Writing a Sestina
      - iii. Try Writing Haiku With No Stress

  - Chapter #6: Analyzing Poems for Meaning

      - i. Rock With the Saddle, Even if You Don't Write Cowboy Poetry
      - ii. What is Your Poem's Attitude?
      - iii. A Tool for Analyzing Poems
      - iv. Build Your Own Checklist

  - Chapter #7: Parodies

      - i. In Writing Parodies, Start with the Rhyme Pattern
      - ii. Use a Similar Title to Hint at the Parodied Poem
      - iii. Study the Poem You Parody: Know Its Development
      - iv. Challenge the Origional Poem or Write a Response
      - v. Let the Form Be an Inspriation to You

  - Chapter #8: Ways to Publish Poetry (or anything else for that matter)

      - i. Do It Yourself to Appreciate the Publishing Process
      - ii. Use a Clear Readable Font
      - iii. Make Presentation Folders
      - iv. Single Poems to Hang on the Walls
      - v. Visit Local Printshops Who Can Bind Small Books
      - vi. Backups Have Been Around a Lot Longer Than Computers
      - vii. Want to Get Published as a Poet?...
      - viii. Literary Magazines
      - ix. Publish in Literary Magazines But....
      - x. Want Cash for Your Poems?  Learn About Commercial Magazines
      - xi. Learn from the Books and Writer's Magazines
      - xii. Commercial Magazines
      - xiii. Learn the Difference Between a Poetic Bass Boat and a Cruise Ship
      - xiv. There are Two Sides to Every Publishing Coin
      - xv. Preditors and Preygents

  - Chapter #9: Can Poetry be a Career?

      - i. Who Is Your Promoter?
      - ii. Do You Have a Literary Degree or a Handicap?
      - iii. Identify Your Hopes and Dreams
      - iv. Editing and Distribution: The Real Advantages of Publishing
      - v. Learn To Appreciate Any Publisher Who Prints Your Work
      - vi. Never Underestimate Your Editor
      - vii. Learn More Than Writing: Let Your Readers Know You
      - viii. Newspapers, Newsletters, and Readings are Opportunities for a New Poet: Reach Out.

  - Chapter #10: The Internet

      - i. Remeber It Is a World Wide Web: It Is To and From the Whole World
      - ii. Beware the Internet
      - iii. Ezines
      - iv. Bulletin Boards
      - v. Newsgroups
      - vi. Home Pages Can Display Your Work Beautifully
      - vii. Tips on Troublesome Color Problems
      - viii. Chatrooms Let You Discuss Your Poetry
      - ix. Email Other Poets on the Web

  - Chapter #11: Copyright

      - i. You Typed It? You Already Have Copyright: Protect It
      - ii. Register To Protect Your Rights
      - iii. To Register Cpoyright, It Must Be In Fixed Form
      - iv. Nobody Can Legally Publish Your Poem Without Your Permission
      - v. Registering Is A Way To Create Evidence Of Ownership
      - vi. If Your Work Has Great Value, Be Sure To See An Attorney
      - vii. Registration Sets An Official Claim Date
      - viii. Your Work Is Protected But So Is The Other Guy's
      - ix. Read About Copyright On The Web

  - Chapter #12: Publish As You Write

      - i. Publishing Poetry Makes You Rich
      - ii. Aren't There Unhappy Poets?
      - iii. Expect Cutting Critics And Supportive Friends
      - iv. Do You Want To Express Your Feelings Or Ideas, Or Do You Just Want Applause?
      - v. You Don't Have To Satisfy The Whole Market, Just Find A Home For Your Poems
      - vi. Did I Say Skill Is Not Important?
      - vii. Don't Let Somebody Else Make All The Rules For Your Writing
      - viii. Expect Friends In Publishing: There Are People Like You, Just Waiting For You To Come Along
      - ix. Read Widely: Know The Territory
      - x. Don't Wait: Poets Often Wait Too Long Before Publishing
      - xi. Come On In: The Water's Fine

  - Chapter #13: Contests: Acclaim or Scam?

      - i. Why Do Poets Like Contests?
      - ii. Why Is There A Reading Fee?
      - iii. Who Buys The Prize?
      - iv. Don't Be Enticed By Big Fees Or Prizes Alone
      - v. Add Up The Fees
      - vi. Know The Judges!
      - vii. Follow The Submission Guidelines
      - viii. Some Contests Come With A Fast Pitch
      - ix. Remember The Good Guys And The Bad Guys
      - x. Read Books And E-Pages

  - Chapter #14: Teenage Poets: Teen Poets Are Supercharged

      - i. Why Teens Write Poetry
      - ii. Teens Are Ready To Write Very Well
      - iii. Write It - Save It. In Future Years You Will Be Amazed At What It Tells You Back
      - iv. Writing Is No More Limited Than Thinking
      - v. Writing Clarifies Your Thoughts
      - vi. Others Teach You What You Mean
      - vii. Writing Is Less Private Than Thinking
      - viii. Creativity Is The Ability To Be New
      - ix. Experience Teaches When The Idea Is Really New
      - x. Don't Be Intimidated: Follow Your Teen Writing Instincts

  - Chapter #15: Is Your Poetry a Business, Art, or Pastime?

      - i. Know Your Art Well, And Know How It Suits You And Your Career
      - ii. This Is Not Just One Track To Success
      - iii. Most Successful Poets Teach Their Art
      - iv. Promotional Needs May Come As A Surprise To Some Poets
      - v. Thinking Through The Process
      - vi. You May Prefer Moderate Goals And Less P. R.
      - vii. Are You Really A Giant?
      - viii. How To Know If You Are A Giant
      - ix. What To Do While Waiting For Success
      - x. Getting Started Writing
      - xi. Going Solo
      - xii. When Writing Makes Contact
      - xiii. Know Your Readers
      - xiv. Other Writers Become Peers
      - xv. Find The Best Critisism Near Home
      - xvi. Writing, Like Talking, Really Is For Everyone
      - xvii. Poetry Is The Opportune Moment
      - xviii. Poetry Is The Opportune Situation, Too

  - Chapter #16: Early Childhood Poetry

      - i. Poets Learn Early: Read to Your Unborn Poet
      - ii. Don't Wait to Teach Your Child Poetry, It Is Never Too Early
      - iii. Record the Art and Poetry of Children Early.  Make Books
      - iv. Children's Song Lyrics are Poems Too
      - v. Children Write What They Know
      - vi. Start Listening Carefully Around Children
      - vii. Notice When Rhyming Skills Start in Your Child
      - viii. Some Teachers Get Into Many Forms of Poetry with Children
      - ix. Use the Conventions But Don't be Stuck To Them

  - Chapter #17: How to Teach Poetry to Children


  - Chapter #18: Poems in Paragraph Form

      - i. Try Your Hand at Writing Letter Poems: Look and See if You Have Already Written Some
      - ii. Try Yanking Out Short Excerpts of Letter Poems
      - iii. Prose Poems May Flow Like Conversation: Use Clipped Sentences or Fragments
      - iv. Blend One Form With Another or Make Up Forms

  - Chapter #19: Any Time is a Good Time to Read or Write Poetry

      - i. Read Some Old and New Poetry This Month
      - ii. What Is Your Overall Purpose In Writing?
      - iii. Are You a Dabbler in Doggrel?
      - iv. Is Entertainment a Goal?
      - v. Poetry as Money?
      - vi. You Are an Artiste Perhaps?
      - vii. Seriously Now, Are You Joking?
      - viii. Horror of Horrors, Do You Love Tragedies?
      - ix. Love, Requited and Not
      - x. Religion is a Real Topic of Poetry Despite Censorship
      - xi. Following the Rules, As Teacher Says...
      - xii. Do You Have Your Own Reasons For Writing?
      - xiii. Why This Particular Form?  Have You Considered Others?
      - xiv. Does Everything Become a Poem?
      - xv. How About Work as a Topic?
      - xvi. What Sticks Are in Your Bundle?
      - xvii. Sorting It All Out

  - Chapter #20: What Does It Take To Make A Poet?

      - i. What Makes a Good Poet?
      - ii. What Makes a Popular Poet?
      - iii. What Makes the Poet a Showman?
      - iv. What Makes a Wealthy Poet?
      - v. What Makes a Loved Poet?
      - vi. How Does a Poet Achieve Respect?
      - vii. Whence Fame and Greatness?
      - viii. Write Your Own Perscription

  - Chapter #21: How to Make a Chapbook

      - i. If You Are Interested, You Are Ready
      - ii. Don't Worry, Enjoy the Act of Creating Your Chapbook
      - iii. Give a Little Thought to Your Format
      - iv. A Sample Format
      - v. Will You Have Illustrations?
      - vi. Look at Some Books to See Their Format
      - vii. You Can Start With an Unnumbered Page or Two
      - viii. Enlarge or Reduce Drawings
      - ix. Make a Primary Dummy Book to Visualize Your Chapbook
      - x. Study Your Dummy Book to Help Plan Your Book
      - xi. Count Lines
      - xii. Notice Page Breaks
      - xiii. Use Your Scanner or Do Manual Pasteup
      - xiv. Some Pages are Unnumbered
      - xv. Put Your Illustrations on the Numbered Pages of Camera-Ready Copy
      - xvi. Get an Estimate From Several Print Shops
      - xvii. Printing Gives You Quality and Economy
      - xviii. Make a Secondary Dummy
      - xix. Consider Publishers and Contests
      - xx. Enter a Chapbook Contest Before or After You Print
      - xxi. Decide About Printing After You Have Assembled a Camera-Ready Chapbook Manuscript
      - xxii. Chapbook Terms Dictionary


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