First You Plant the Seed: From Notebook to Poem - Spring 2026

The poet William Stafford has famously said, “lower your standards and keep writing…" Anybody can write. People might think that their product is not worthy of the person they assume they are. But it is.”  How do we handle the anxiety of the blank page?  Stafford’s solution is to lower our standards by writing every day and allowing the notebook process to lead us into poetic discoveries. Writers turn to quiet settings and their notebooks to record their encounters, memories, bits of conversation, quotations from readings, reflections, meditations, associations that lead to fresh discoveries. Each weekly class will consist of exploring writings from a variety of poets and sharing a potential poetry draft that stems out of the weekly notebook entries for encouragement and suggestions.
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Details: First You Plant the Seed: From Notebook to Poem - Spring takes place Tuesdays February 17, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 17, and March 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm remotely online via Zoom.

Genre: Poetry/poetry performance

Level: Intermediate

Format: Generative workshop

Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

Size: Limited to 14 participants (including scholarships).

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by December 15. Click here to apply.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.