Different poetry boards

[WriterDom]

have different personalities. There are some that warm and fuzzy and everyone gets to know each other, and the only comments are good ones. Call this a type A.

There are others where the criticism flies freely. Call this a type B.

Outside of Lit you have choices of where to play. A type B person can join a type A board and pretty much destroy it, unless they can put the B person on ignore.

There are more opportunities for learning and growth on a Type B board, but those that are either looking to relax, or are very emotional about their poetry don't last very long.

 

[WickedEve]

This is the only board I've ever posted on. I didn't know about the "A" boards. Where are they? I want to go there and feel the love.

Seriously, this is a great board. People here take the time to read your work, think about it, then tell you like it is. You don't get a "Kiss, kiss. I love it, because I think you're great. Now go away and play." attitude.

Since I've been here, I've received praise that has had me floating on my own cloud, then the next day, critiques that have sent a lightning bolt my way, sending me back to earth in a rain storm!

Yes, it's exciting here!!!

Wicked Eve

 

[daughter]

Variety of the net

WD--

I'm an old hat of online poetry communities. On my first site, I was Queen Bee. It wasn't as grand as some might think. Folks love you one minute and the next you're responsible for all their grief. When you're popular, it's even easier to become stagnant.

On my next trip, I landed in what I thought to be a highly sophisicated and organized site(and it is). Let me tell you. It was the demon drop for sistagirl. I went from her highness to "peon please go away". The site literally had 10 times more members and the poets skill and range gave me a serious reality dose. I could handle that. I developed a thick skin in school. What I couldn't handle was the elitism and the clear pleasure the moderators took in breaking poets down.

Folks, this board makes U.P. look like the Fairy Godmother. I'm not exagerrating. There is one moderator in particular who is absolutely merciless in his attacks and they were attacks. He'd not only murder your poem, but he'd intentionally make personal slurs about you as person. So when folks here complain about critics being insensitive, I shake my head and think, "Obviously you haven't been around the block". On this site, not only would they rip you a new one, they'd scold you for being so stupid for not expecting them to critically review your work. They didn't give a rat's ass about your feelings.

I also joined a couple of other communities simultaneously. Like WD said, boards have unique collective personalities. I found more balanced boards with different strengths. I became a moderator for a few including their critique forums, and on one, I have held even greater responsibility. You have to find your niche and recognize what you can profit from a site.

And at some point, you need to think beyond the net if you're serious about your writing. I used to do the coffee house circuit, and I am still connected to the poetry community in my town. My goal this year is to become active again. I have been invited to join the local chapter of the writers union in my community, too.

Even if you're not seriously interested in other genres, it's good to write outside your comfort zone. I write daily and constantly. I was writing prose long before I began persuing poetry. See my 10 seconds of fame in the thread "Holding Poems".

Sorry to digress. If anyone is interested in visiting other sites to broaden their experience and education, hit me off board. I'd be happy to pass along links.

Peace,

daughter

 

[TheDR4KE]

Re: Variety of the net

Originally posted by daughter

...
Folks, this board makes U.P. look like the Fairy Godmother. I'm not exagerrating. There is one moderator in particular who is absolutely merciless in his attacks and they were attacks. He'd not only murder your poem, but he'd intentionally make personal slurs about you as person.

Sounds like a haiku list I was on for a while


And at some point, you need to think beyond the net if you're serious about your writing. I used to do the coffee house circuit, and I am still connected to the poetry community in my town. My goal this year is to become active again. I have been invited to join the local chapter of the writers union in my community, too.

Excellent point daughter. I've also started to become more active, sending poems to competitions and soon magazines with a longer term view to publishing collections (just to have them in print, not to make money ;-) but more importantly with the view to expanding my repertoire.

There's a playwriting competition I'm working on a piece for now, for example. A fascinating whole other field of writing, that. I highly recommend it.

For some reason competitions kinda work for me. A little challenge, a deadline, I can prepare in advance, etc etc. But the important thing is to write...

Drake



Sorry to digress. If anyone is interested in visiting other sites to broaden their experience and education, hit me off board. I'd be happy to pass along links.

done.

 

[TheDR4KE]

daughter

Sorry to digress. If anyone is interested in visiting other sites to broaden their experience and education, hit me off board. I'd be happy to pass along links.

done.

But your box is full so it bounced back.

Drake