Despondent

[EriAliSaa]

Ok I can understand not liking something and I am an aquired taste, if ever acquired at all. But I got two 2 scores and no feedback why. Just seems that if you were going to give someone a 2 you would say way you did it. I guess I could be really that bad. One I really put a lot of thought into and was close to my heart as a fantasy.

Can someone help me? I mean is it really that bad? And why not leave a comment with a 2? It is hot and I have no AC. Maybe I am just crabby. But Id is positively juvenile and it got good scores.

Maybe I am looking for something constructive or a "No you are not totally hopeless." I don't know.

It has been a hot miserable day. I will go away now.

 

[vampiredust]

Some suggestions:

1) Turn the voting off

Ignore the scores, ranking and popularity etc. It's not important as constructive criticism.

2) Use the construction zone thread

There is a great thread here called Poetry in Progress ~ construction zone. It's a great place for constructive feedback.

3) Rewrite

Rewrite your poetry until your hands bleed

4) Focus and tighten

imho, you need to sharpen your poetry a little. Give the reader something to hold onto. I enjoyed your poem 'Morning After' but was a little confused as to what the first stanza was actually about, there is no direct reference to a person or thing. I can only assume it was a lover but there was nothing there to suggest it was.

 

[Liar]

I have only one suggestion to you. Don't sweat it and don't fret it. it happens all the time to all of us. People wander in plop down a score, high or low, and leave without a word. Only means something if you say it does.

 

[EriAliSaa]

Thank you

Sorry I am a little.... or maybe overly dramatic sometimes. I was just taken back that some thought it was crap and didn't say why. I don't mind if someone thinks my stuff is bad, just.... yeah you know.

I will look into that stuff, thanks. Still getting to know the place and I am a bit slow to just dive into things.

 

[WickedEve]

Sorry I am a little.... or maybe overly dramatic sometimes. I was just taken back that some thought it was crap and didn't say why. I don't mind if someone thinks my stuff is bad, just.... yeah you know.

I will look into that stuff, thanks. Still getting to know the place and I am a bit slow to just dive into things.

No one wants a 2. I can understand a one score. 1 is usually what you get because someone wants to lower your score. 2 seems to say, "I don't care about your score. I just don't like your poem." But do remember that a 2 means below average, not crap. Obviously, the reader thought it needed much more work. And yes, it would have helped if the person had said why.

 

[Tzara]

And why not leave a comment with a 2?

Some people vote and comment, some vote without commenting, a few comment without voting (though I think the thermometer thing counts as a vote if you haven't already explicitly voted) and most people don't bother to do any of the above.

My guess, and this is only a guess since I haven't read your poems, is that if you were able to ask the person who made the '2' votes, they would say something like "this poem doesn't say anything interesting" or "this poem is cliché" or "this poem is too vague" or even "this isn't poetry". In other words, the response would likely be one you wouldn't find very helpful. For whatever reason, he or she read the poem and didn't feel very positive about it.

I know that can be depressing, but remember that first of all, it is a comment on the writing, not on you. Not everyone responds to the a particular poem in the same way. There are poets here whom I greatly respect who think William Butler Yeats wrote sentimental crap and that Sylvia Plath is an overrated screechy harpy. I myself think William Wordsworth wrote sing-song Hallmark verse. So personal taste is a major component.

I second Liar's comment. Don't worry about the votes. Turn them off if getting low votes bothers you, as VD suggests. They don't mean much of anything. The only really useful feedback is when someone whom you respect makes a meaningful comment about your poem. (By 'meaningful' I mean something specific, not just a "I liked this" comment.) These, when you get them, are very helpful, and they are usually "negative".

Finally, bad reviews, rejection, and snippy responses are the lot in life of the poet. Franz Wright, who won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, once offered to break the nose of William Logan, who is a poet and prominent poetry critic, over Logan's review of one of Wright's books.

So hang in there. Writing is hard.

 

[annaswirls]

Don't go away Stick around and you will see that everyone goes through this, you are not alone that is for sure!

You are smart for asking about what you can do-- a lot of good advice in the responses above --

all the best,
hope you can get away from the heat! Wylers makes some GREAT freezy pops that are like italian ice except in those plastic tube things, and they are absolutely delicious, you can stick them in your cleavage to thaw them a bit into a nice cool slushy

Ok I can understand not liking something and I am an aquired taste, if ever acquired at all. But I got two 2 scores and no feedback why. Just seems that if you were going to give someone a 2 you would say way you did it. I guess I could be really that bad. One I really put a lot of thought into and was close to my heart as a fantasy.

Can someone help me? I mean is it really that bad? And why not leave a comment with a 2? It is hot and I have no AC. Maybe I am just crabby. But Id is positively juvenile and it got good scores.

Maybe I am looking for something constructive or a "No you are not totally hopeless." I don't know.

It has been a hot miserable day. I will go away now.

 

[vampiredust]

Wylers makes some GREAT freezy pops that are like italian ice except in those plastic tube things, and they are absolutely delicious, you can stick them in your cleavage to thaw them a bit into a nice cool slushy

Popsicles in your cleavage? that would make an interesting poem

 

[wildsweetone]

Popsicles in your cleavage? that would make an interesting poem

tempted...



Ice between melons
cold versus hot
the heat will win out
the ice will not.

Blessed be the one
who uses their tongue
to lick up the puddle
whilst joy overcomes.

Take note my good friends
we eat melons too
spit out the seeds, come on
you know what to do.


sorry, couldn't help myself.


~~~

Hi Erin,

I just had a look at your poetry and admit that your writing is not to my taste. I find the word usage a little too stark for my comfort. Now, I am not saying these are bad poems, simply that they aren't my preferred style of reading. I prefer a little bit of waffle, more of a story telling type of writing.

I was just wondering if you have been writing for a long time. Is this a settled style, have you tried other ways of writing, experimented?

This is a great place to hang out with poets. Enjoy your stay

 

[champagne1982]

The 2 votes are actually the most recent edition of trolldom, they've gotten smarter since Lauren actually began sweeping for 1's and have switched to damaging a score with 2 votes, which may appear as legitimate ratings.

Trolls vote low on your story or poem so that their favourites can be assured of a longer stay on the top lists or even, win the monthly contests.

Don't take the ratings personally, but instead, treat any public comments and email feedbacks you may get as advice and opinions you can actually glean value from.

 

[EriAliSaa]

Wow! So much to respond to.

But first I have to thank everyone for the support. It was disheartening.

Ok....

With the information that all of you have given about how things work, I am sure I can get a tougher skin. I know I can. I din't exactly realize that it was a competative thing, I was more looking for what people thought.

I have a lot of respect for pretty much everyone on this forum. That is to say that I what I have seen of the posting here is a nice caring community. That means a lot to me. I like what seems to be this communities content of character, and quite a bit more so than some of the other boards in the Literotica community. However I have yet to read alot of your writings, so I don't know who exactly I like as writers as opposed to others. Then again I am not sure that would matter. I am a bit wishy-washy in that respect.

Needless to say I would take any writing advice from this community seriously. Both VD (are those intials intentional?), and WSO have given me a lot to think about. I have no idea how to work on either one right now, but I am thinking about it. I have stared blankly at Morning After since VD offered his critique and just haven't come up with anything.

To answer the question of how long and style. I have been writing off and on for about 25 years. So in a way it is a settled style. However with the trying something new, this is also new. I didn't start writing erotica style stories until about two years a ago. I have been writing with friends, more interactive style. Started very tame and progressed to more racy stuff. That sort of led me here.

My first attempt at erotic poetry is "Id". Followed by "Dinner fantasy" and "Morning After". So I guess this is trying something new and I am not set on how to write Erotic Poems at all. I tried to borrow from some styles that I read here, but kept going back to the stark style.

I have always wrote more about darker emotional subjects. Despair, depression, anger, and the like. I think that is where the starkness is from. Who knows.

Annaswirls, I like the idea. My little monsters would steal them from me, but I like the idea I have to hid in the bathroom to eat even eat chocolate on those "Oh My God! I need chocolate!" days. Partially kidding.

Thank you all again. I will be a trooper and stick it out. At the very least try to lend what support I can to the community.

 

[annaswirls]

Hi Erin,
I have to admit I just now read your poems, and promise to come back and comment this afternoon! I just want to say for now that they are NOT 2's by any stretch, and that I like that your style is unique, you do have your own voice, unlike others I have read, and will keep that in mind when offering critique.

welcome again!
Jennifer

 

[Maria2394]

hey Erin

I waited to join in this one, because it bothers me so much. LIke the rest of the good people here have said, it has happened to ALL of us. And the part that really sucks is the low votes with no explanation. It will never come either. I have been oned and twod and have never gotten a single, " it was because your meter was off, or your subject matter sucked, "

hell, even a simple, I HATED This poem so bad a one wasnt LOW enough!! that would have made me feel better but somehow when no explanation comes, it feels personal. I am so sorry it has happened to a anpther new person here.

I agree with anna. your work is definitely NOT 2's, no way. Just ignore the votes, if you can, and keep writing. we need new blood here



maria

 

[wildsweetone]

...I have been oned and twod ...

*giggling*

sorry, but it just struck me as well, you know.

 

[Maria2394]

*giggling*

sorry, but it just struck me as well, you know.

WSO!! you are SO bad!! lol, get over here and let me spank you

I can tell you, being oned and twod aint no gigglin' matter



maria

 

[EriAliSaa]

:blinks:

You are both....

:blushes:

I have no words.

 

[flyguy69]

:blinks:

You are both....

:blushes:

I have no words.

Ah. A simple case of writer's block.

 

[wildsweetone]

Erin, don't worry. i'm normally a fairly nice person.

Maria, i'll be right over - just cos i want more details, okay? research, Erin, research for poetry. right Maria?

*giggling*

 

[The Mystery Valiant]

Don't worry o ver something so small.

When you get upset over something like this, it makes the freaks who chump people feel that they were in the right and it gives them a feeling of control over other people. There are those of the human race that needs to feel they dominate and are able to distress people over something that doesn't even reflect the truth. Yes..., they are disorting the truth. It is there biggest desire in their lives.

A tougher skin isn't the answer as it only becomes a competition then and it increases their adrenaline when that happens. The finest way to fight this derogatory attack and effacement, is to ignore them and delete their comments. (If and when they do comment.) Listen, I'm getting all kinds of deleterious remarks and so really unkind jabs. But I don't pay them one ounce of attention because I know just what the heel I'm doing. They haven't even a clue. They're purely as redundant as the negative remarks that they delight in. In case you haven't explored the forum all that much, if you go into the "General Discussion" Board, You'll see how truly vindictive some of these people are! You have to believe that either that this site attracts brutal and and awfully evil people, or their just venting and acting in a fashion that they dare don't show in public. Around here they all wear mask's. They're afraid to be honest about their more charitable characteristics. They can't face you fairly..., then they are nothing but a bunch of ineffective poltergeists.

Stay true to what you feel, don't even rely on others critiques. You may find a jewel or a gem and even be able to find a rapyorous mentor of someone here! But just remember, what works for some, doesn't always work for others. Make you mark as yourself, before you try to evolve into something of a avant poet. You'll only find yourself some friends after wading through a lot of crappy people first. So don't let you first impressions dictate your decision here. The real good people are really hard to find, and it takes a good thorough search to find them. Forget the stupid remarks made by the pygmies..., be patient and wait for the Sun to rise over the horizon.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/whistlemaker/tarantula_ctio_big.jpg​

 

[flyguy69]

When you get upset over something like this, it makes the freaks who chump people feel that they were in the right and it gives them a feeling of control over other people. There are those of the human race that needs to feel they dominate and are able to distress people over something that doesn't even reflect the truth. Yes..., they are disorting the truth. It is there biggest desire in their lives.

A tougher skin isn't the answer as it only becomes a competition then and it increases their adrenaline when that happens. The finest way to fight this derogatory attack and effacement, is to ignore them and delete their comments. (If and when they do comment.) Listen, I'm getting all kinds of deleterious remarks and so really unkind jabs. But I don't pay them one ounce of attention because I know just what the heel I'm doing. They haven't even a clue. They're purely as redundant as the negative remarks that they delight in. In case you haven't explored the forum all that much, if you go into the "General Discussion" Board, You'll see how truly vindictive some of these people are! You have to believe that either that this site attracts brutal and and awfully evil people, or their just venting and acting in a fashion that they dare don't show in public. Around here they all wear mask's. They're afraid to be honest about their more charitable characteristics. They can't face you fairly..., then they are nothing but a bunch of ineffective poltergeists.

Stay true to what you feel, don't even rely on others critiques. You may find a jewel or a gem and even be able to find a rapyorous mentor of someone here! But just remember, what works for some, doesn't always work for others. Make you mark as yourself, before you try to evolve into something of a avant poet. You'll only find yourself some friends after wading through a lot of crappy people first. So don't let you first impressions dictate your decision here. The real good people are really hard to find, and it takes a good thorough search to find them. Forget the stupid remarks made by the pygmies..., be patient and wait for the Sun to rise over the horizon.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/whistlemaker/tarantula_ctio_big.jpg​

Isn't it possible that the person(s) leaving low votes are bright, honest folks of normal stature who simply dislike those poems? Isn't it possible that different people might have different tastes?

Isn't it possible that readers who care about the accurate use of real words might not understand your post?

 

[TheRainMan]

. . . You may find a jewel or a gem and even be able to find a rapyorous mentor of someone here!

i echo fly's 2 questions to you.

but the real reason for my post is i am dying to know what rapyorous means.

 

[TheRainMan]

Ok I can understand not liking something and I am an aquired taste, if ever acquired at all. But I got two 2 scores and no feedback why. Just seems that if you were going to give someone a 2 you would say way you did it. I guess I could be really that bad. One I really put a lot of thought into and was close to my heart as a fantasy.

Can someone help me? I mean is it really that bad? And why not leave a comment with a 2? It is hot and I have no AC. Maybe I am just crabby. But Id is positively juvenile and it got good scores.

Maybe I am looking for something constructive or a "No you are not totally hopeless." I don't know.

It has been a hot miserable day. I will go away now.

your reaction is not unusual, EAS.

you seem genuine in wanting to improve your poetry. this is a fairly good place to do that. getting upset at votes won't help. it'll just frustrate you.

turn the voting mechanism OFF. you have been given that advice, and it is an excellent start to the improvement you seek.

and welcome.

 

[flyguy69]

your reaction is not unusual, EAS.

you seem genuine in wanting to improve your poetry. this is a fairly good place to do that. getting upset at votes won't help. it'll just frustrate you.

turn the voting mechanism OFF. you have been given that advice, and it is an excellent start to the improvement you seek.

and welcome.

You will, Erin, probably do what the rest of us have done: identify the folks whose opinions matter to you and seek them out. At some point you may even take guilty delight in certain folks dislike of your poetry!

 

[EriAliSaa]

Stronger, now thanks.

With this thread and the private messages I know I have gotten it. I understand that it is fairly competive around here and that is ok. I am not competive really but like to see what people think. I am not going to let the one and twoers get me down, or even effect me. I will think of them in the same way I think of people that tag street signs and dumpesters, with a certain amount of pity and disdain.

 

[EriAliSaa]

Oned and Twod revisited

WSO!! you are SO bad!! lol, get over here and let me spank you

I can tell you, being oned and twod aint no gigglin' matter



maria

Erin, don't worry. i'm normally a fairly nice person.

Maria, i'll be right over - just cos i want more details, okay? research, Erin, research for poetry. right Maria?

*giggling*

Hmmm. Research? Well I guess I could try something new and would like to see oned and twod done properly.... WSO you go first I will watch and take notes