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What is voice in poetry? It’s a mixture of factors like tone, diction, and style, which combine to create a unique way of writing that belongs to a particular artist. When you think of Shakespearean sonnets, you probably have a voice in mind and are thinking of the iambic pentameter and vernacular he used. While we certainly don’t suggest trying to sound like Shakespeare, we do have some pointers for finding out what works best for you in your verse.

North Carolina is home to poets both past and present worth your attention if you haven’t read them yet. We are taking a closer look at key poets in our state’s history and talking about why you need to check them out. Then, we’ll introduce some current big players in the state’s poetry scene and where you can find them when they’re not at their desks writing more verse for us to enjoy.

This week kicks off National Poetry Month and North Carolina does not disappoint with its many events. We can’t possibly cover them all, but we’ve compiled a list of some of the most exciting National Poetry Months events and contests across the state for you to check out bel

I have this habit of picking off bits of me I bite the inside of my lips tear away tiny pieces I used to spit them out now I swallow them deep

From coastal towns to mountain cities, indie presses are shaping the literary landscape with a deep love for the written word. Below, you’ll find a curated list of North Carolina’s small and independent (indie) presses, each one a testament to what can happen when passion meets the page.

Motifs are the quiet threads that stitch a story together. A recurring storm, a flicker of candlelight, a line of dialogue that echoes across chapters; these are not coincidences, but carefully placed touchstones that deepen meaning and create resonance. In fiction, motifs invite readers to participate in the act of noticing.

There are almost as many different types of editing as there are writing. And, depending on the piece you’re working on, its audience, and how far along you are in the writing process, there are various tools you can use to make your writing the strongest it can be. Let’s take a tour of the key types of editing and how they enhance your work.

Poet, musician, and teaching artist Dasan Ahanu took the time to answer Ink & Oak’s questions via email. He is a talented spoken word poet and integral to the local Durham poetry community. Let’s get into the influences behind his inspiring work and the vision he has for continuing that work in 2026.

Looking through the glass was like watching a silent movie in slow motion. It’s all a blur now. Was I seeing in color or in black and white?

This week, we’re looking at how to craft characters so vivid and believable that your readers can’t wait to find out what they do next. Follow along for key takeaways on the essentials of writing powerful characters in fiction. 

Fiction is full of vivid examples of painstakingly crafted worlds that immerse the reader in a new place, time, and way of life. While worldbuilding is often viewed as part of sci-fi and fantasy, it’s hardly exclusive to those genres.

Ambiguity invites readers to draw their own conclusions by purposefully allowing space for the readers to interpret. This is sometimes mixed up with confusion, but a seasoned writer will deploy ambiguity strategically in a way that heightens the overall experience for the reader.

Dr. Amanda Bennett, the newly appointed Poet Laureate of Carrboro, NC, took the time to tell us about her work creating community with poetry. Her poetry centers themes of queer Black feminism and spirituality. We at Ink & Oak are honored she shared her insight with us and are excited to see how she combines poetry and community during her tenure.

Light frees the bastard night From migrants in their sentinel sleep, Hands without guides To the ready and the yoke for their wages, Any rough job, And they wake to the bondage of their freedom

Tell me what I owe when rain beats down on a calendar of old times and scatters the riches of our friendship as a body of habits comes to death having made no notice of our bond

Poetry has never been a one-size-fits-all art form. It stretches, bends, borrows, and reinvents itself, sometimes quietly and sometimes with a sense of rebellion. Beyond the sonnets and free verse many of us are well-acquainted with, there is a wide world of poetic forms that invite play, experimentation, and risk. Let’s explore 22 unique types of poems that move past the familiar and remind us why poetry remains one of the most inventive corners of the literary world.

Poet Bartholomew Barker graciously took the time to tell us at Ink & Oak more about his writing practice and involvement in the local literary scene. He lives in Hillsborough and is the author of the full-length collection, Wednesday Night Regular and a chapbook, Milkshakes and Chilidogs: and other food poems.

Recently, Robert Creekmore answered our questions via email. His writing mixes science fiction, horror, thriller and more against a backdrop of rural North Carolina locales. He can frequently be found at Moondog Meadery in Durham reading his latest work. Today we take a closer look at his first in a trilogy, The Prophet’s Debt.

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools a writer has, and one of the easiest to misuse. It can pull readers deeper into a scene or quietly push them away. At its best, dialogue feels natural while doing intentional work behind the scenes. At its worst, it rambles, explains too much, or exists simply because silence feels uncomfortable.

The good news is that there is a publisher for every type of book. Each one comes with its own expectations, opportunities, and trade-offs. None of them are inherently “better” than the others; they simply serve different goals and writers.