Playing with Poetry is a short, introductory course for writers who'd like to explore the online learning environment of Olvar Wood, have some fun playing writing games, and learn a little something about the craft of writing. Playing with Poetry is for writers who wish to explore both closed form and free verse poetry.

It is suitable for writers who have little or no previous experience, or those wishing to refresh their skills.

Playing with Poetry is made up of six lessons:

• introduction: the writer's toolkit
• words
• imagery
• line
• stanza
• poem

Each lesson includes writing hints and tips, reading suggestions, writing exercises and forums in which you can post your writing experiments, ask questions, and engage in discussion with the teaching team at Olvar, and with other writers who are visiting the site.

You can enrol in Playing with Poetry at any time: the course is self-directed and not time-dependent.

During the course, the tutors and your peers will comment on the posts you make. At the end of the course, you will be invited to submit a poem or poems (up to 200 lines) for feedback from the course tutors.

We hope you enjoy Playing with Poetry: we look forward to reading your work.

• Click here to read the full Course Outline

• Teacher: Nike Bourke