The Virginia G. Piper
Center for Creative Writing

Sometimes the voice in our persona poems can take on a conspiratorial, intimate tone--something like an intense conversation between friends. Sometimes, it can be a like a public protest--confrontational, aggrieved, outraged. In a poem the reader can observe, learn, judge and love –or hate--the persona encountered. However, what is essential is that the reader must, as Samuel T. Coleridge famously said, “willingly suspend disbelief.” That is, the reader must believe the voice to be authentic in order to accept the persona as “real.” We will begin by writing various “voice” in-class exercises, taking a cue from several sources and prompts. Our goals are twofold: to experiment with “taking on the mask” of various personas, especially those of “witnesses and outsiders,” and to come away with a clearer understanding of poetic techniques used which help to create memorable personas. Students should bring writing materials to class. Writers of all levels of experience and comfort with poetry are welcome. Workshop space is limited.