just out of personal curiosity, how would you describe the nature of your participation in the poetry forum?
Nature of Participation in Poetry Forum
- Thread starter William Haskins
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I voted other, so here's my explanation.
I feel I am a combination of several.
I try to be an active critiquer because I feel it should be a give and take function. If I am going to post a piece, I generally try to crit at least three.
Some days when I have nothing to post, I will crit or comment and spend more time trying to understand the pieces I don't get, to see if I can grasp the meaning, metaphore and meter and such. Then I try to crit about what I see.
There are many times I would like to ask a fellow critiquer a question on how they gt something I couldn't see, but that has been poo-pooed so I don't do that any more. I must say that is one of the stifling aspects of this forum, but one I am willing to live with for now.
And finally, some days I do just come here and read hoping to learn from others grasp of meter, rhyme, sentence structure, word use, etc. I really miss Kie, I can't think of anyone who's topped him in word choice, yet.
The rest of the time, I'll post a funny comment or try to join in some thread, take part in some of the games or exercises, or try to help out if I can.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but that's my life here on the forum.
I feel I am a combination of several.
I try to be an active critiquer because I feel it should be a give and take function. If I am going to post a piece, I generally try to crit at least three.
Some days when I have nothing to post, I will crit or comment and spend more time trying to understand the pieces I don't get, to see if I can grasp the meaning, metaphore and meter and such. Then I try to crit about what I see.
There are many times I would like to ask a fellow critiquer a question on how they gt something I couldn't see, but that has been poo-pooed so I don't do that any more. I must say that is one of the stifling aspects of this forum, but one I am willing to live with for now.
And finally, some days I do just come here and read hoping to learn from others grasp of meter, rhyme, sentence structure, word use, etc. I really miss Kie, I can't think of anyone who's topped him in word choice, yet.
The rest of the time, I'll post a funny comment or try to join in some thread, take part in some of the games or exercises, or try to help out if I can.
Probably more than you wanted to know, but that's my life here on the forum.
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I picked I mostly read, but sometimes post work and critique. Maybe I should have picked "other" in that it varies from day to day how much I participate; I've been more active recently with the poetry workshop. But I don't critique most of what I read, and I don't post most of what I write, so that seemed the closest match.
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I'm an incurable lurker. Once in a great while, I'll take a stab at a cinquain train post, or some such. 
Mostly, I try not to embarrass myself when I do -- but I think it's invaluable to stretch ourselves, and try our hands at writing we're not entirely comfortable with.
Mostly, I try not to embarrass myself when I do -- but I think it's invaluable to stretch ourselves, and try our hands at writing we're not entirely comfortable with.
I post and crit pretty regularly, though I sometimes wonder at the value of the feedback I provide. I rarely do a line by line and settle for the "general impression" types of responses, try to help where I can if I see something that needs help,
A lot of times I think I come across more "cheerleader" than critter. It isn't my intention, but how the piece as a whole makes me feel earns my (at least initial) response.
A lot of times I think I come across more "cheerleader" than critter. It isn't my intention, but how the piece as a whole makes me feel earns my (at least initial) response.
I mostly read and sometimes post and sometimes critique. But my critiques are not based on experience, just casual observations. Everything I ever learned about poetry has been in the last two months in this forum. You folks are incredible!
I went with I mostly read, but sometimes I post or critique. It just all depends on my time and how the poem resonated with me. As far as my own posting, I haven't worked on any poetry for a stinkin long time...
Because of my day job, and my family time, I go in spurts. However, when in the forum, I try my best to give several crits for every piece I post. I also try to read many of the ones I can't get to. I apologize to everyone who has critted one of mine without a return crit from me. I appreciate the generosity of time and energy. It helps me. I also learn from all of the posted poems and crits. This is an added value for me--to see how colleagues react to the poems of other colleagues, to see what works and doesn't work for others. I also appreciate the diversity of style seen here.
I post and comment, but dont crit much. Mostly because I am very, very new and am not sure what kind of crit I could offer.
Someday maybe!
Someday maybe!
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I read more than I post, but given how little I produce, that's not too difficult. I'm lousy at critiquing poetry, but I offer comments whenever I'm moved to do so.
Like Neurofizz, I try to crit several for every one I post. I'm making an extra effort to crit, prose and poetry, because I'm new and want to pay my dues. And because I think that crits are a very big part of the value of a forum such as this. When I read something that makes me have a lot of immediate and lucid impressions, I try to share them; those are the "easy" crits. If I read and re-read something several times and just can't find the words to express my impressions, I wait to see if the next day or next re-read moves me to comment. If not, I just skip it. Life is too short. But, sometimes, I read something that is really moving or important and I kinda make myself comment; as if it is my duty or honor or something. I think I am going to pace myself a little slower now, though. One thing I didn't expect to get from this forum that I am getting in spades: Stimulation to write more, and more beautifully and more frequently, both prose and poetry. And that is a very good thing!!! Thank you, every one.
If I comment on a poem--or critique a poem, it means that it has affected me in some way and that I care about it (like a foundling). If I feel I can offer something constructive I usually do.
I have been participating a good deal less because of some things going on here, but I hope that the situation changes soon for me.
I have been participating a good deal less because of some things going on here, but I hope that the situation changes soon for me.
i crit/comment more than i post, lately -- not writing much poetry right now.
there's no correlation between quantity of posts/crits -- i will crit/comment if i feel i have something to say. or if a piece has touched me in a special way.
i can be rather 'direct', or so i've been told -- so now am trying not to put foot'n mouth too often... apologies to those who may have been victimised by my unruly martian nature!!
there's no correlation between quantity of posts/crits -- i will crit/comment if i feel i have something to say. or if a piece has touched me in a special way.
i can be rather 'direct', or so i've been told -- so now am trying not to put foot'n mouth too often... apologies to those who may have been victimised by my unruly martian nature!!
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I had to go with mostly read, sometimes post and crit. I figure I average three or four crit/comments and one or two posts a month. I can't really consider that as "active." I'd like to do more, but time is a factor.
I like that you draw a distinction between "comments" and "critiques." If I feel a particular piece has some real potential, or if it is obvious that the poet has really put forth some effort, then I will do a full-blown line-by-line critique. I tend to concentrate on commenting on/critiquing poetry by people who have done the same for me, but I do try to click on some "strange" every once in awhile.
Cuz everybody needs some "strange" every once in awhile.
I like that you draw a distinction between "comments" and "critiques." If I feel a particular piece has some real potential, or if it is obvious that the poet has really put forth some effort, then I will do a full-blown line-by-line critique. I tend to concentrate on commenting on/critiquing poetry by people who have done the same for me, but I do try to click on some "strange" every once in awhile.
Cuz everybody needs some "strange" every once in awhile.
I only read it. I absolutely love poetry, it's just that any poetry I write is BAAAD poetry and I would be terribly embarassed to post it LOL
I have been looking more at the poetry section as of late so that maybe I can learn more about the correct formats etc.
I have been looking more at the poetry section as of late so that maybe I can learn more about the correct formats etc.
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I picked the 5th option, but I do comment and crit and participate in discussions fairly often in high proportion to the work I post, which is minimal.
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William, I'm curious, what is your motivation for posting this poll?
Personally, I appretiate the poll because I think it's good for us to be aware of our participation here.
Personally, I appretiate the poll because I think it's good for us to be aware of our participation here.
i want to know if there's a balance of experience between poets, critics and readers. if it were to emerge that everyone who visits this forum is either a poet/critic or a critic/poet, then i think it's an unhealthy place to hang out, incestuous and too sequestered from the pure audience for my taste.
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What's a pure audience?
Are there virgins involved?
Is it legal?
Hmmm, the quest for balance could make a good worksop theme.
Are you planning on participating in any workshops?
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Martian or otherwise, directness should be appretiated by anyone trying to hone their work.
a "pure audience" is a subset of people who simply read poetry for pleasure. i have no real interest in writing only for other poets or for critics. in my estimation, it's a large reason why poetry is a dying art form.
no, it's a solitary endeavor for me. i don't do well with the workshops and the exercises and the games. no knock on those who enjoy them; i'm just not wired that way.