Entrances: Titles & First Lines [Sara Brickman]

All Levels | A good title and a strong first line determine whether your reader will continue reading or move on to another poem. An unforgettable first line changes the whole tenor of your poem, but they are notoriously hard to write. Titles are even more mysterious. In this generative class, you’ll learn and practice five different techniques for opening a poem: The Run On, The Confession, The Fairytale, The Time Machine, and The Confrontation. With practice, you’ll hone your intuition and courage to leave the blank page behind and write first lines that grab your reader and won’t let go. Bring one or two poems-in-progress that need a stronger opening or a shiny new title.