Fun ideas!!!

[ajc]

This is not for critique, but I put it in here because it is for the people of critique. Coming off the poetry contest I think it would be fun to jumpstart some new prompt/ish stuff. We previously did picture/art prompts with a different person choosing each week. We could do that again if people liked it (I personally thought it was fun and got people writing) or we could do word/words prompts and different people could pick the theme each week or to make it even more fun/challenging we could ask people to write on a pic and must include a "word/words".

What do you guys think?

[kborsden]

Egg--selling idea!

[TexasPoet]

Love the idea.....I've been in writer's block for a week now....this would be great.

tp :)

[Blarg]

Not 100% keen on over-directed prompts ("use this word"), but there are so many different kinds of prompts that sooner or later, everyone could probably find one to like.

My only thought is that people shouldn't search their archives for completed poems to fill the bill. I've seen that in other threads on other forums, and it takes the spontaneity out of it.

Oh, one other thought at the moment and it's probably pretty obvious -- you suggest the prompt, you must participate!

[kborsden]

Spot on Blarg

[Magdalen]

Ick.

[Billytwice]

Why reinvent the wheel?

Just resurrect some of the old threads...

[kborsden]

Why reinvent the wheel?

When the wheel stops turning, the axle isn't always the first place to look for repair...

[Billytwice]

When the wheel stops turning, the axle isn't always the first place to look for repair...


?

Who mentioned axles?

Not one of your better ones I'm afraid.

[Billytwice]

Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

[kborsden]

?

Who mentioned axles?

Not one of your better ones I'm afraid.

;) I can't be great all the time - we all need to slack off at some point...

Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

That's a good idea

[ajc]

Perhaps a mod could create a 'sticky' folder called 'Escape from Writer's Block' or similar and place links to the old prompts in there?

Why do we want links to old prompts?

Is this serious or silly?

Billy, I sure hope you will be a "yes" even for just sometimes if the pic/prompt moves you. I remember your last picture that you chose and it was so excellent.

[ajc]

Okay, we can go two different ways. Said person can post a photo or a picture of a piece of art or maybe even a quote (how do people feel about a quote?) without any other requirements like:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3616378447_b8c147668f.jpg

Or the other option is that said person posts the pic with something else like a theme or word requirement like:
Use the word miasma or have a "theme" of miasma in your poem.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3616378447_b8c147668f.jpg

Thoughts or feelings one way or another?

[Brandt]

I would like the former myself...sounds fun.

[Blarg]

I think it's dealer's choice, ajc. Whoever sets it up, makes the rules, and if people don't want to participate, you'll find out soon enough.

I think if you tried to make up a prompt by committee, it would take a month and still people would think it missed the mark.

[ajc]

Okay...why don't we sign up and leave it up to the person who signs up whether he/she wants to do a photo, art or quote and if they want to add a word or theme. Participate if the spirit moves you.

If you want to have a week copy the numbers below and add your name in. Once we have a bunch of participants we'll start.

Week 1: ajc
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:

[kborsden]

Isn't miasma a bit too medieval for the urban scene in the image? ;)

[ajc]

Isn't miasma a bit too medieval for the urban scene in the image? ;)

I guess that would be the true challenge ;). Okay, cheeky one...is this you signing up or what?

[Blarg]

That's a double-step prompt, very tricky. I'm not sure you want to craft the responses so narrowly as to inhibit people.

But we'll find out.

[kborsden]

I guess that would be the true challenge ;). Okay, cheeky one...is this you signing up or what?

I'll see when the mood takes me -- I'm not entirely opposed to the idea - but also find it hard to create when it becomes siphoned. I'll say yes for now, for the challenge and see what comes.

[ajc]

That's a double-step prompt, very tricky. I'm not sure you want to craft the responses so narrowly as to inhibit people.

But we'll find out.

What does this mean? I thought it was the opposite of narrowly. Basically, when your turn comes it's open for your
interpretation. Is that narrow?

[DL Hegel]

I like picture prompts. I found some evil carebears if anyone would be interested?:tongue

I use random google picture searches for story ideas or just vigns. Never really used them for poetry but I think it's a fine idea. I think open interp, no words would be best.

The entire folder of old prompts isn't a bad idea either. Some people may not have read them before so they'll be new to them.


dl

[Steppe]

I like picture prompts best. I set and look and think and let the muse wonder around for awhile. Sometimes the pic won't do a thing for me. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with ideas.

But lets face it, we all have our own interests and a pic with something of our own history and yearnings in it will serve us best.

Yes I'll participate but not with every pic.

2-Steppe

I also think the pic by itself would be best. Let the poet get out of it what he/she can.

PS- Being an internet dunce, I have trouble uploading large pics to the forum, or any pic for that matter.

PS2- Wouldn't it be best to start the new prompt on a certain day, like Monday or some such ajc?

[Blarg]

What does this mean? I thought it was the opposite of narrowly. Basically, when your turn comes it's open for your
interpretation. Is that narrow?

This is two prompts in one, with one of them further narrowing the possible responses:

said person posts the pic with something else like a theme or word requirement like:
Use the word miasma or have a "theme" of miasma in your poem.Like I was saying, it seems obvious to me that this is dealer's choice. But I would expect that the tighter the possible respondent is wedged into a corner, the less likely there will be responses at all.

On another note, do you think a week is long enough between prompts? We had a month for the something/nothing contest and got only about a dozen entries. It won't be as much fun if people don't have time to stew and sweat over a prompt a bit. Plus get away from work and the kids and the zombie apocalypse long enough. I'd suggest two weeks between prompts.

[ajc]

That was just an idea. Asking what people liked/did not. I've decided to just let the "post-er" pick what they want to do each week, it seems to be the thing that allows for the most fun/creativity. A week seemed to be fine last time. Lots participated. I think contests are scarier...people judging your stuff...putting it out for all to see etc. I know I felt very nervous.

[poetinahat]

Is there interest and value in collecting links to the old prompts into a single thread? Is there value in adding another sticky to the top of the page? If so, it can be done easily.

About starting more prompts: If you've got one, why not just start it - in the main Poetry forum, please - and see who wants to play?

[ajc]

The problem with prompt threads is that they're not able to be critiqued if we want to work on them.

Also, if we write something that we like/think is good we can no longer submit it as it is not protected. People who are interested in publishing their poems won't post in an open forum and want a password protected place.

[Blarg]

I'm one who would never put anything that wasn't a total throwaway anywhere but the critique forum.

I can respect others choosing differently and of course they have every right to do as they like, as the people running the forums have the right to direct them as they see fit. Just saying what works for me.

[kborsden]

There was a games and exercises sub-forum -- I'm not sure exactly why it was done away with, but can imagine it having to do with the popularity of individual threads and what-not maybe not quite warranting a sub.

We could always do it differently and post the prompts in the main forum and the poems in the crit section (add whatever tag to the title).

Or -- seeing as this is becoming a somewhat intimate idea - with some reaction being 'yet another prompts thread?' - you could create a prompt circle - and use the main forum to discuss individual ideas etc - group pm prompts and post in the crit section -- it becomes more a personal challenge then than a public game/exercise...

[ajc]

We could always do it differently and post the prompts in the main forum and the poems in the crit section (add whatever tag to the title).

Last year, when we did it everybody posted their poems individually not following each other and I think that makes the poems easier to look at and critique, but people really liked it and most of page one was taken up with the poems. I think that can/could turn new people off, as other poems could fall to the wayside. Rob, suggested the Chapbook section and that seems like a great solution as this way everyone can post their poems individually and they won't get lost in the shuffle and get the attention if needed/warranted. We just have to make sure we check in there as nothing ever shows up to say "new poem".

[kborsden]

We just have to make sure we check in there as nothing ever shows up to say "new poem".

Chapbook does highlight new posts with bolded text -- as long as the poster also adds to the title a recognisable tag, i.e. prompt poem or something similar, then it should be noticeable.

[Blarg]

I thought the chapbook was for finished poems we don't want criticism on. I don't think of poems that respond to prompts as fitting either category.

Unless they're the super-slight poetry exercises we have at present in the Poetry section. For instance the haiku thread, half of which is haikus composed as jokes and most of the rest of which are utterly casual and meant to last all of the ten seconds it takes to read them.

[Teena]

Unless they're the super-slight poetry exercises we have at present in the Poetry section. For instance the haiku thread, half of which is haikus composed as jokes and most of the rest of which are utterly casual and meant to last all of the ten seconds it takes to read them.

I too thought prompts were for tossing out poems based on one's reaction to the photo (or whatever) rather than works for crit. There are places for crit work. There was a thread that was enjoyable because it was very loose and casual. Someone posted a photo, anyone who was moved by it replied to it - no time limit- until someone posted another photo. It's been said and I agree, the more restrictions you place the fewer participants you'll have. Just saying...