Break

The Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry by Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux (1997)

Dorianne Laux co-authored this book of prose with Kim Addonizio in 1997. The Poet’s Companion is a comprehensive collection of essays discussing the elements and techniques of the poetic genre. Addonizio and Laux’s language is accessible to the lay reader, subverting the long-held ideology that poetry is only for the elite. They relate to their readers by detailing the challenges of writing, including writer’s block and self-doubt, providing a multitude of tips and tricks that encourage young writers to persevere. The Poet’s Companion includes writing prompts and exercises to get readers started, serving as a source of inspiration for anyone who wants to write poetry and write it well.

The Poet’s Companion compliments “Break” in that it exposes the poet’s major poetic concerns at the time of publication for Awake (1990), the collection in which “Break” appears. Laux’s prose provides the necessary context in understanding the construction and content of “Break,” adding further credibility to Laux’s authorial voice.

Attention Equals Life: The Pursuit of the Everyday in Contemporary Poetry and Culture by Andrew Epstein (2016)

Epstein’s book examines why images of mundane daily life are becoming increasingly popular in both contemporary American poetry and the wider writing culture. Epstein draws on theories of humanism, arguing that poetry has become the vessel through which poets respond and resist to a culture that is losing its ability to be present and pay attention. Poets like Dorianne Laux combine simplicity with profundity in their verse, creating something out of nothing by being conscious observers of the everyday. “Break” provides the exact kind of slice-of-life moment Epstein asserts is so popular among contemporaries, exemplifying his claims through clever craft and consideration.

“Putting Pen to Paper: A Conversation with Dorianne Laux” by Janet Rodriguez (2019)

Author and educator Janet Rodriguez interviews Dorianne Laux, talking at length about Laux’s body of work, her poetic concerns, and her overall passion for poetry and poetry education in the Rumpus. Laux characterizes herself throughout the interview as a poet of life, grounding her work in the facts she knows to be true. This interview provides readers with an intimate look into Laux’s craft as well as exposes her personality through her own distinct voice. “Putting Pen to Paper” details Laux’s influences and mentors, and it offers readers advice and encouragement to write for themselves, no matter the subject.