2016 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 3
For today’s prompt, take the phrase “If I’d Only (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write…
For today’s prompt, take the phrase "If I'd Only (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write the poem. Possible titles include: "If I'd Only Asked Her Out," "If I'd Only Gone Left Instead of Right," "If I'd Only Taken That Chance," etc. Don't wonder what would've happened if you'd only written that poem; get to it now!
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Order the New Poet’s Market!
The 2017 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer, includes hundreds of poetry markets, including listings for poetry publications, publishers, contests, and more! With names, contact information, and submission tips, poets can find the right markets for their poetry and achieve more publication success than ever before.
In addition to the listings, there are articles on the craft, business, and promotion of poetry–so that poets can learn the ins and outs of writing poetry and seeking publication. Plus, it includes a one-year subscription to the poetry-related information on WritersMarket.com. All in all, it’s the best resource for poets looking to secure publication.
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Here’s my attempt at an If I'd Only Blank poem:
“If I'd Only Stayed Out of Trouble”
I would've never learned how to respond
when trouble came calling. And trouble
always comes calling when I expect it
the least. Like love, I never know when
to say when. I fall down & dive back in
again. My eyes closed, I've learned
how to run with my fingers crossed
& a prayer on my lips. If I'd only stayed
out of trouble, I guess I wouldn't know
all the benefits of chasing after it.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market and Writer’s Market, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and a poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He’s not a troublemaker per se, but he is a Brewer, which according to his Hazard, Kentucky, granny means that trouble never gets too far away from him. For better or worse.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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Find more poetic goodies here:
- WD Poetic Form Challenge: Trimeric. (Deadline: 11/30/16.)
- Rimas Dissolutas: Poetic Form.
- Bryan Borland: Poet Interview.
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
