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[togitc]

Rusty would not describe my poetry. I haven't written anything in at least a year or more, but the last couple of days I've been lurking around the poetry board. I've actually managed to post about things.

Poets, shy people, anyone I need a bit of help.

This is one of the best writing communities I've been in. People are very honest and some of the every review. The only thing keeping me from posting is the sudden pounding in my chest when I think about it.

It's poetry, do I really want to put myself out there like that? Fantasies and stories are one thing but these are.... more.

I don't know if I could handle harsh words. I feel like a kid again, holding my notebook out, asking someone to read my stories.

Signed Tog
His pants around his guard down

 

[LadyJeanne]

I understand what you mean about poetry being more personal to you than your stories. I feel the same way about mine. I didn't have any trepidations about submitting them to Lit, though, because I was happy to think someone else might read them rather than having them sitting on my hard drive. The folks who read poetry on this site are generally kind to new authors. If they have suggestions on how to improve, they generally aren't harsh in the way they present their views.

If you're considering submitting a poem for review, I've never done that and I don't spend a lot of time on the poetry board, so I can't comment. I doubt you'd get harshly worded criticisms if you present it the way you did here: new poet, please be gentle. If you don't think you can handle someone providing an honest critique, you might want to start with a poem that is less personal and emotional for you.

 

[togitc]

Thank you for the advice.

 

[English Lady]

Tog, it's not easy to put yourself out there, Maybe send some of your poems via PM to interested folks (Moi for one) and get some private encourgement (or maybe discouragement, I dunno and you don't know till you do it) then you can bring'em out into the open if you so decide

 

[BlackShanglan]

I, too, am happy to look at poems. My experience of the poery board has also ben very positive.

One thing I might suggest is that you offer some guidance to the reviewers in your post. When I'm approached by someone who wants an "honest opinion" on work, I often feel rather anxious as a reviewer because I'm not sure what the author is really looking for. A few key phrases can help to guide the reviewer. If, for example, the posted says something like "Am I on the right track?" or "Is this OK for a new writer?" then I know that s/he needs a little encouragement and some idea of what's going right in the work. If, on the other hand, the author says something like "I'm worried about the break in meter in the fourth stanza and whether that's too distracting to the reader," then I know that the author is looking for more specific technical advice and is open to suggestions about things to change. If you give a little thought to how you ask, you're likely to end up with what you need.

Do feel free to PM me with anything that's relatively brief.

Shanglan