Welcome to my Sunday Book Review. Today I’m thrilled to review Colleen Chesebro’s latest book – Word Craft Prose & Poetry – The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry. If you are a lover of poetry writing, I would highly recommend this book. You’ll have to read my review below to find out why!
Blurb:
Are you ready to learn how to craft Japanese and American poetry? Consider this book the first step on your journey to learning the basics of how to craft syllabic poetry. Inside, you will discover many new forms, syllable combinations, and interpretations of the different Japanese and American forms and structures of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, renga/solo renga, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, the cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry.
So… what are you waiting for? Let’s craft syllabic poetry together!
My 5 Star Review:
If you’re a lover of poetry and are interested in learning how to write syllabic poetry, or even just as a reader to discover all that’s involved in writing in the various styles of syllabic poetry, this is the book for you. Yes, there are plenty of books written on the subject for sure, but this author has a gift of born ‘teaching’. Her tutorials on how to, as well as great direction in explanations and wonderful use of examples allow us to clearly see what the author is explaining.
Syllabic poetry encompasses various styles and syllabic counts with succinct descriptions, from both the English and Japanese style of writing Haiku. The author explains the differences in syllabic counts to various versions of Haiku, as well as teaching us the difference between poetic prose which requires no syllabic count, such as Gogyolka or Tanka Prose. We’ll also learn about many of the various forms of Haiku and Tanka with Haibun, which styles are written from a personal point of view, and writing about nature.
Chesebro takes us through all the various forms of writing syllabic poetry and shares with us the importance of writing poetry, “When we create poetry, we become better writers.” She goes on to explain that we learn from poetry, the brevity of words, urging us to use stronger word choices with minimal words that evoke vivid images. A wonderful guide book to introduce us to the meaning of syllabic poetry and the differences between Japanese and American Haiku. This author runs a weekly poetry challenge that I urge anyone interested in learning to write poetry from the basics and forward to visit her blog.
©DGKaye2021
DGKayewriter.com 
Debby, I can’t thank you enough for the lovely review of Word Craft: Prose & Poetry. We’ve sure had fun through the years writing poetry together. On September 27, 2021, this challenge will have run for five years! Can you believe it? Thanks for being part of my journey. I appreciate you! ❤
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Wow, no, I can’t believe 5 years! But thrilled to be along your ride. Review also up on GR and Zon. ❤ xx
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I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to get back and reply. I had a few catastrophes to handle the last few days. Yes, 5 years! Can you believe it? ❤
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Never apologize Colleen. We all get ‘there’ eventually. ❤ Seems catastrophe is a common word these days for too many ❤
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Colleen has got a huge number of people writing poetry, and you’re right, she has a knack for explaining the different forms and finding beautiful examples. Congratulations to her on such a book and thanks for your compelling review, Debby!
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Thank you Olga. Colleen is a wonderful teacher of syllabic poetry ❤
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Olga, thanks so much for your lovely comments. I enjoy this Japanese poetry so much. I’m glad other folks want to give it a try. ❤
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A great review, Debbie. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Robbie 🙂 x
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Thanks, Robbie. I hope you enjoy the book. I know you love tanka poetry… hugs.
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Debby, a brilliant and informative review of Colleen’s book! Congratulations, Colleen!
This sounds like the go-to book for syllabic poetry and although many know the craft there is a big difference to being a born teacher like Colleen! Many thanks for sharing here!
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Thanks so much Annika. Yes, Colleen makes learning easy, she’s a wonderful instructor. ❤
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Thank you for your lovely comments, Annika. I appreciate you. Hugs.
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Wonderful review, Debby. I haven’t tried to write poetry, but maybe with Colleen’s book I might give it a go 🙂
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You should Jacquie. And just visit her blog. Every Tuesday is a new challenge 🙂 x
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Yes! Jacquie, I wrote this book for someone like you who would like to write poetry, but maybe doesn’t know how to start. Syllabic poetry is all about a few words with a lot of meaning. I hope you’ll give it a try. Huge hugs.
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I couldn’t agree more with your wonderful review, Debby. Colleen did a beautiful job with this on every level. Easy to understand, complete, and the examples are beautiful. Great review, and Congrats to Colleen.
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Exactly my thoughts Diana. Thank you. ❤
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Thanks so much, Diana. I have a deep love for Japanese poetry. And, as you know, it’s fun to write and experiment with. I think it helps us become writers too. I notice I’m more careful to choose words with more meaning than some of the fluff words. Huge hugs to you!
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Someday, over a . . . No, not something I can go for in the near future. But thanks for giving me the source to tap for this if and when the time comes. 🙂
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Most welcome my friend 🙂
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Ha, ha, John! There’s something refreshing about your honesty. Japanese poetry isn’t written with a lot of fluffy words. You should give it a try. Thanks for joining in the comments.
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What a fabulous review for Colleen’s book, Debby – she is a true master of syllabic poetry. Toni x
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She is Toni. Thank you. ❤
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Thank you for the high praise, Toni. I’m a student of syllabic poetry just like everyone else. There’s always something new to learn. Hugs to you!
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A fabulous review Deb! I agree with you, Collen’s book is “a wonderful guide book to introduce us to the meaning of syllabic poetry.” Infact, it is an eye-opener for those who are not familiar with so many forms of poetry. She has done a great job. Congratulations to her.
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Thanks so much for visiting Balroop. Yes, Colleen should be very proud of herself. ❤
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Balroop, you have been such a lovely supporter of my poetry. Thank you for such lovely comments. I appreciate you! Huge comes coming your way.
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I never got on too well with composing poems in these forms, but admire those who can! x
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I never did either Stevie, but besides the creative thought, they are like putting together a puzzle – something I enjoy. 🙂 xx
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Thanks, Stevie. There is something about the counting of syllables that appeals to my accounting brain. LOL! Hugs.
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A wonderful review Debby and well deserved as it is a masterclass for anyone who wants to learn about syllabic poetry and for those of us still students. Congratulations Colleen ♥
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Thanks so much Sal. I know you’re becoming quite the poet since you’ve joined Colleen’s challenges too. ❤
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Sally, I appreciate your comments and all your support. That has made all the difference to me. I’m looking forward to more poetry writing with you! Huge hugs coming to you.
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Wonderful review to share, Debby. Bravo to Colleen! 🙂
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Thanks so much Natalie ❤
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Thank you so much, Natalie. Your support and Twitter retweets are always special. Thanks for being there. Hugs.
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I’m certain I’d learn lots from Colleen’s book, Debby. She’s a wonderful poet.
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She is Norah, and a wonderful instructor. 🙂 x
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Aww, Sis. You make me blush. Thanks for your support and encouragement.
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Just sayin’ 🙂 ❤
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Oh, Norah, what a lovely thing to say. Thanks for all the encouragement. Hugs to you!
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Wonderful review, Debby, and thanks for introducing Colleen to me, too. 🙂 Her book sounds like a perfect resource. I’ll check it out, and Congratulations to her also! 💗
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Thanks Lauren. Thrilled to introduce you to Colleen’s poetry challenge and book. ❤
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Thanks bunches Sal, for sharing my review for Colleen’s book. ❤
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wonderful review. seems like a good book for both poetry lovers and those not as familiar with such artistry…
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Exactly Jim. It’s really fun and almost like doing a puzzle after writing a draft then shaving off to fit in the correct syllable count. It can be addictive, lol 🙂
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Thank you for this review, on Colleen’s masterpiece of “cryptowork”. Lol Poetry is wonderful to read, and with this book as an compendium i will start another DIY trial. Thanks again, and have all a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
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Hi Michael. Thanks for dropping by and leaving your good cheer. I hope you enjoy the trial excerpt, and maybe see you joining some poetry! 🙂 xx
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