Young Writers Work on Verses, Preparing for Poetry Slam at Middletown Library

In light of National Poetry Month, the Middletown Township Public Library has been holding a poetry and writing workshop every Tuesday in April from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The series is hosted by Middletown resident and lifelong writer/poet Angela Blasi. 

Originally from Edison, Blasi moved to Middletown nine years ago to attend Monmouth University, where she majored in music performance. In 2013 she earned the title of Grand Slam Champion for LoserSlam, New Jersey's longest running poetry competition. She says, “I can't stop writing, it's like oxygen for me.” 

Blasi took the last year off from competing and has immersed herself in the open mic scene. After taking notice of the library's various teen programs, Blasi was inspired to create her own to focus on poetry. She approached Senior Librarian Ellie Strbo, who responded enthusiastically and felt it would be a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month.

The workshop incorporates exercises and prompts through which writers can refine their skills. The prompts focus on themes young people can relate to, such as love, grief and bullying. Other times, they cater to personal interests. During a recent workshop, Blasi had a discussion with a young writer about his interest in horror movies. She then prompted him to write a story or poem from the perspective of a young Jason Voorhees (from the Friday the 13th series) before he turns into the monstrous antagonist he's known as. 

Blasi says, “It's been a really good, creative way to build rapport with kids and for them to see creativity in things they might not have seen otherwise.” Blasi hopes to open the eyes of Middletown's youth and help them explore writing inside and outside the traditional norms of poetry. 

She says, “It doesn't have to be a line-for-line format. You can tell a story, you can rhyme, or you don't have to rhyme...but it's about how you can give your personal story and style inside a short body of work.”

Writers can also bring in work they would like reviewed or revised. Blasi has made connections with those who have attended and enjoys seeing their personal growth through the workshop. She says, “It's a really good confidence building exercise to share a piece of yourself in front of an audience. Even if you read seventeen little syllables, you did so! It takes a lot of guts to share an intimate piece of yourself.” 

Blasi encourages writers to be authentic: “It's about what the message is and how they deliver it. Do it your way and it'll come out right. If you mean what you say, it'll come across,” she says.

Blasi's goal is to start an all-ages, family-friendly open mic in Middletown. But for now, reaching one young writer at a time is fulfillment in itself. She says, “If each one of them goes home with a new outlook on something, new creative idea, or even a seed planted in their heads, that'd be great. That's my joy, right there.” The final workshop will be held on April 22, culminating in a slam on the twenty-ninth.