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Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within Original Edition

by Kim Addonizio (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 230 ratings
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In this fresh approach to writing poetry, the coauthor of the perennially popular The Poet's Companion offers sharp insights into the craft of writing.

"The creative process is just that," maintains Kim Addonizio. "Not a means to an end, but an ongoing participation." A widely acclaimed poet and finalist for the National Book Award, Addonizio meditates on her own process as she encourages writers to explore both their personal and political worlds, to seek inspiration from poets new and old, and to discover the rich poetic resources of the Internet. Lively, accessible, and informative, Ordinary Genius?provides wisdom gleaned through personal experience and offers a heady variety of writing exercises. Chapters on gender, addiction, race and class, metaphor and line invite each individual writer to find and to hone his or her unique voice. This is the perfect book for both experienced writers and beginners eager to glimpse the angel of poetry.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0393334163
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0393334166
  3. Edition
    Original
  4. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  5. Publication date
    February 16, 2009
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
  8. Print length
    320 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kim Addonizio is the author of seven poetry collections and two books on writing poetry: The Poet’s Companion (with Dorianne Laux) and Ordinary Genius. Her poetry collection Tell Me was a finalist for the National Book Award. She lives in Oakland, California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; Original edition (February 16, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393334163
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393334166
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.47 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 230 ratings

About the author

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Kim Addonizio

Kim Addonizio

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Kim Addonizio is a fiction writer, poet, and teacher. Her poetry collections include Tell Me, a finalist for the National Book Award, What Is This Thing Called Love, and Lucifer at the Starlite. She lives in Oakland, California.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
230 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Marianne
5.0 out of 5 stars NOT Just for Beginners!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2009
Verified Purchase
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 Poetry
2. Inner and Outer Worlds,
3. The Poem's Progress, and
4. Toward Mastery

most 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!
75 people found this helpful
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John Wareham
5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Guide for Any Poet, Budding or Blossomed
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2010
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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.
19 people found this helpful
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Melody Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars I had to read this book for a college class and boy was I glad I did
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018
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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.
4 people found this helpful
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Natalia
4.0 out of 5 stars MFA required book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2021
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Book was alright... seems like all poetry books like this one, give the same writing tips .. not many new ideas
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Mitch Smith.
5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary introduction to poetry.
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2021
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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.
One person found this helpful
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Colleen
3.0 out of 5 stars it was a really nice looking book
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2016
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I purchased this for a coworker as an office gag gift. That said, I can't really comment on the content of the book, however, it was a really nice looking book.
One person found this helpful
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Jeffery Cotton
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent and thoughtful
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2011
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As a fiction writer, I am always looking for ways to give my language rhythm and color, and so I have read several books on poetry. As a composer of music, I often feel I shouldn't need that kind of help, but have found that translating my musical ability to fiction is more difficult than I expected.

This book isn't *exactly* what I was looking for in that regard, but it is a wonderful book, and has given me so much insight into poetry. It is intelligent but not academic, thoughtful but not touchy-feely. I think this is the best book on writing poetry I have come across. The exercises (if that's what your looking for) are taunting and clever.
6 people found this helpful
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Free Leonard Peltier
5.0 out of 5 stars Ordinary Genius: Nourishing Wisdom for Poetry Writers at All Levels
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2021
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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.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Debanshi
5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful
Reviewed in India on March 24, 2021
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The book came earlier than what i had expected...Its an Amazing book and has helped me a lot
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars More brilliance from Kim Addonizio
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2021
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Addonizio is a magnificent American poet. Her work is consistently brilliant. This book is wonderful.
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Lisa Richter
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended.
Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2016
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One of the most thoughtful, helpful, inspiring meditations on the art and craft of poetry that I've encountered. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Winnipegois
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2018
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Excellent book, swift delivery.
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Sunslave
4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
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.
3 people found this helpful
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