Making Peace With Paradise
It’s here! A beautiful book from one of your favorite poetry how-to authors. But this time, the poetry is in the story itself—and in the prose.
Making Peace With Paradise: An Autobiography of a California Girl is Tania Runyan’s personal story of being born and raised in the Golden State—and the anxieties she faced as an ordinary girl who always felt like the California Dream was more myth than reality.
Still, the Golden State gave her untold gifts that created the imaginative poet and author we know today. As you read the book (we hope you do!), we invite you to find those gifts along the way—then consider the gifts your own life has given you, especially if you are a writer—or hope to be.
Tania Runyan is the author of How to Read a Poem: Based on the Billy Collins Poem “Introduction to Poetry.” She’s also brought you How to Write a Poem and How to Write a Form Poem: A Guided Tour of 10 Fabulous Forms.
Journey with Tania in a new way. And find your own poetry as you do.
(Kindle version available now. Print version to come in October!)
Poetry Prompt: Making Peace With Paradise
Is there something in your life that you need to make peace with? Especially something that appeared good on the outside but caused you a challenge on the inside? Put it in a poem. Make a little peace.
Alternately, write a poem about California. You might like to use one of the five sections in Tania’s book as inspiration: Earthquakes, Freeways, Burbs, Beach Boys, or Stars.
- 10 Ways to Help Your Favorite Introverted Author—Day 1: The Basic - May 9, 2025
- Free E-Book + Poetry Prompt! - April 14, 2025
- Braving the Poem: Interview with Catherine Abbey Hodges - March 24, 2025
L.L. Barkat says
Congratulations, Tania!!! 🙂
I know this book took a long time (first to live, then to write)—but the result is a beautifully poetic and fascinating read. Having read it (twice!)I, I am thinking more deeply about the role of imagination and wonder in protecting, guiding, inspiring, and healing a life.
Thank you for giving us your words and heart and poetic soul!
Tania says
Thank you! I am so happy my heart and soul have been given a paradise to roam in T.S. Poetry!
Van Prince says
I’m a poet
I’m writer geared to the poetic
My poems are formless, shapeless, fashionless
yet all my poerty
is flawless
is priceless
I do not copy Shakespeare
I don’t paraphrase Rumi
I will never
follow the foot steps of Khalil Gibran
all of the above greats
are verb superb rare
I’m not here to duplicate
the greats only to modify their masterpieces
& create greater masterpieces
I’m bridging the gap
between land and sky,
to bring the Moon, planets, & Solar System together in unity
to seal together what is known & not yet revealed
I have reached the village in the valley
& turning every alley into a pradise
so even the poor and middle class
can live as the rich, not merely exist
I’m that poet
which create unforgettable poetry
By: Van Prince
L.L. Barkat says
Van, I’d love to see you try out the “making peace” prompt, which is the community focus of this particular post. I can just see your “I’m a poet… making peace…” 🙂
Van Prince says
God allowed me too meet from every literary angle
my gardian angel
to invest & represent my writing career
will L.L. Barkat accept the miracle
By:Van Prince
Van Prince says
*Making Peace With Paradise*
I use to be a rebel
sometime ago, I did rebel
not knowing I was courting hell
yet facing jail
without bail
I served 10 days in jail
for violating the peace
in a school fight
being my fault
I got on my kness y’all
prayed to God
to deliver me safely out of hell
my prayers were answered
I received peace
Amen!
lynn__ says
Van, I especially appreciate your first poem because it shows you’ve made peace with who you are as a poet…without actually saying the words “peace in paradise”.
Van Prince says
It took some advice from
L. L. Barkat
for me to catch on to the subject matter
to coincide with what is required
for a particular subject’
I have such & sure down pat & par for the course for the good-better-best-
I write my poems impromptu
99% of the times
yet instructions give whatever profession
its foundation to build upon
& I’m thankful for such advice-
Thank you a $million$
L. L. Barkat
for your poetic advice
I like to teach
but I love to learn
& a hint to the efficient
suppose to be sufficient-
By: Van Prince
To: L. L Barat & all those who participated
L.L. Barkat says
😉
Van Prince says
Smiles for Miles=respect *&* appreciation for poets!