PSA (Poetry Service Announcements)*

[Angeline]

Summer will sizzle on the forum (sorry hyperbole/alliteration seizure). We will have a summer poetry contest with a prize, courtesy of your friends and sponsors Laurel and Manu. More to come on that soon, but I hope lots of you will participate.

The interview series will be picking up in a few weeks (after I can pick myself up from a month of houseguests). I know folks were clamoring for an Annaswirls interview. I'm hoping she'll do one eventually, too, but she's a busy lady right now so maybe down the road.... But we will not disappoint! There are some great interviews to come.

I'm going to be doing some housecleaning here on the forum, too. You've no doubt noticed that we are bristling with stickies on both forums, and some of the sticky threads have a lot of overlap. I'd like to merge those threads and try to minimize the number of them on the main page. If you have either objections or suggestions please let me know, either here or send me a private message. I'm also hoping to update links in those threads, so if anyone has suggestions for additions or deletions, let me know.

Finally, we need to have a conversation about the new poems recs. A few of us (bronze and Desejo) are soldiering on impressively with recommendations, but the truth is that most people don't have time or inclination to do them anymore. Maybe if we went about them differently, it would work better. To that end I'd like to do a poll about your feelings on the whole NPR thing. Should we keep it? Maybe do it once a week? Maybe just have one recommendation of the day? If you have suggestions, please tell me. (I just want it to work better.) I'll hold off on the poll maybe till Monday or so to give people a chance to make suggestions that I can build into it.

So uh power to the poems and get those ideas and suggestions in!

*ETA: I promise to unstick this thread after about a week. I really did not want to add a sticky!

 

[Desejo]

I don't mind doing the recommendations, but it does take up a lot of time.
Personally, I would like to see people comment more on posted Poems and use the forum for more in depth discussions and analysis. Many new poets do not even realize this NPR exists. What if we picked a poem of the week to discuss instead - that anyone could suggest?

 

[Angeline]

I don't mind doing the recommendations, but it does take up a lot of time.
Personally, I would like to see people comment more on posted Poems and use the forum for more in depth discussions and analysis. Many new poets do not even realize this NPR exists. What if we picked a poem of the week to discuss instead - that anyone could suggest?

Thanks Desejo! I was thinking something along those lines could be an option. I did the recs for years and just got really burned out on it, although I did learn from the experience. And I like the idea that anyone can recommend.

 

[butters]

first off, how exciting about the summer competition! nice one

secondly, the problem (as i see it) with doing the NPR's is that it takes up a lot of time with little or no perceived return for the individual investing that time. of course we develop our own insight and stuff doing them, but with busy lives it can feel too much effort sometimes.

the idea of once a week recommendations, maybe something like a favourite 5 poems per week, posted here for people to read and comment on might be a direction to go - with links on the poems to direct them here, to the forum and the reviews. just a thought - once a week, with several people taking turns, might feel a better investment of our time and efforts.

continued thanks to you guys who DO make the effort to keep the recommendations/reviews coming - even if i don't go over to the published area nearly enough.

 

[Angeline]

Thanks for your thoughts butters. I do think we can make this work better so that:

1. it doesn't feel like an onerous task where the only reward is maybe the reviewer learns something from it;

2. it ensures that whoever's poem is recommended is notified and invited to the forum (thanks Tess, for that idea);

3. it happens regularly but not every day and is not always done by the same few people;

4. there's some sort of reward built into the system for those who participate....maybe some kind of feedback for their own writing.

There are probably other considerations but that's what comes to me for now. I'm going to be fairly busy the next few days, but if any of you lurkers can give this a think and share your thoughts (and yknow conversate), it will be most appreciated.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

Thanks for your thoughts butters. I do think we can make this work better so that:

1. it doesn't feel like an onerous task where the only reward is maybe the reviewer learns something from it;

2. it ensures that whoever's poem is recommended is notified and invited to the forum (thanks Tess, for that idea);

3. it happens regularly but not every day and is not always done by the same few people;

4. there's some sort of reward built into the system for those who participate....maybe some kind of feedback for their own writing.

There are probably other considerations but that's what comes to me for now. I'm going to be fairly busy the next few days, but if any of you lurkers can give this a think and share your thoughts (and yknow conversate), it will be most appreciated.

I'm looking forward to the summer challenge too - just don't involve Lauren, I'm still recovering from the last one she compiled.

The one thing the NPRs is good for is directing people to the new poems with urls, if no one does it the poems of that day languish. I have been lazy lately and not done my usual patrol of the latest work. memo to self - start again.

 

[Angeline]

I'm looking forward to the summer challenge too - just don't involve Lauren, I'm still recovering from the last one she compiled.

The one thing the NPRs is good for is directing people to the new poems with urls, if no one does it the poems of that day languish. I have been lazy lately and not done my usual patrol of the latest work. memo to self - start again.

I think we should go with a theme for the contest rather than a same title challenge. And that way, much as I adore Lauren and Charley, they do not get to pick this time! Anyway Lauren has a thing about sea creatures: remember she had that awful-looking grouper for an avatar for a while? And I am sea-creatured out.

Okay back to my cook-a-thon.

 

[Neonurotic]

I've done NPR off and on and it starts out the same where I have real interest doing it then my interest slacks off with the mountain of crap that gets posted. I don't think new poets understand what NPR does anyway. Before poets would submit work to be commented and mentioned, now, I don't think they care one way or the other unless you vote a 5. So I think it's definitely time for an overhaul after 11 years or so.

I like the idea to post comments on poems we like the best of the week (if you find any) or if you notice a new poet, comment on their submissions, leaving an invite to the PF&D. Also, I wonder what other poets get out of posting work at Literotica if they don't participate in the PF&D so again, yes, an invite to new poets to the forums would be helpful.

 

[Angeline]

~Bumping~

this thread to say yes, Virginia, there will still be poet interviews. Should be a new one starting very soon. And once we have the start date confirmed I'll let you know. I didn't want anyone to think the new Ask a Poet thread is replacing the interviews. It's not. Now you can just ask questions in both places. Or any other threads where you so desire.

 

[Angeline]

And another ~bump~ to announce that the next poet interview will begin next Monday (July 1) with Tzara. This should be a great interview, folks. If you have not had the opportunity to read some of his submissions, this would be a good time to do it. You will not be disappointed: Mr. T-zed writes seriously good stuff.

 

[butters]

excellent, msA

great new threads!

 

[Angeline]

excellent, msA

great new threads!

Thanks. I'm going to be reading my Tzara this weekend and playing in my new threads. Poetry is fun!

 

[Maria2394]

Thanks for your thoughts butters. I do think we can make this work better so that:

1. it doesn't feel like an onerous task where the only reward is maybe the reviewer learns something from it;

2. it ensures that whoever's poem is recommended is notified and invited to the forum (thanks Tess, for that idea);

3. it happens regularly but not every day and is not always done by the same few people;

4. there's some sort of reward built into the system for those who participate....maybe some kind of feedback for their own writing.

There are probably other considerations but that's what comes to me for now. I'm going to be fairly busy the next few days, but if any of you lurkers can give this a think and share your thoughts (and yknow conversate), it will be most appreciated.

HI Angeline. Hope you and Terry are well.
I would be glad to do the recs at least once a week, if anyone wants me to. I was rear ended on the interstate and my PT told me today I have at least six more months of physical therapy and then may still not be able to return to work. So, I am here, lurking on occasion, admiring some of the poems and others, well, let me say, you can't write if you don't...write

Let me know, if you don't want me around, lemme know, I can take it...


All you lovely talented people need to be recognized and since I cannot write worth a turd anymore, I know I can still read. Take care of yourselves, be nice and kind. Some people say we only get one go round in this life, I happen to disagree , but that's just me.

Also, I want to sincerely offer my apologies to everyone I offended when I was on Xanax and zoloft. That wasn't me, and Thank the universe, I am me again, however you may take that any way you wish, is fine with me. I do love you guys. Thanks for teaching me how to write a half way decent poem.



Rosemary's grandbaby

 

[bogusagain]

I cannot write worth a turd anymore, I know I can still read.

Come on Maria, you can write, it's like riding a bike, you may fall off now and again but you never forget how to ride one. You might need something in your life to manic you up a bit and get the juices flowing but we all flatline now and again. I've just been reading some of your poems again and all I've got to say is GET ON THAT FUCKING BIKE AND RIDE!

Oops! Sorry for shouting.

 

[Angeline]

Maria, sis, I want you to write here and feel comfortable doing so. My regard for your talent has not diminished one bit. And I think bogus is right (I'm not saying that in any more threads today, bogus!) that you have a true talent and if you just start writing as much as possible it will come back again. Worked that way for me and I know it can for you, too.

We're fine btw although the pollen about made me want to jump off one of these mountains this spring.

Just write, sis.

 

[twelveoone]

Also, I want to sincerely offer my apologies to everyone I offended when I was on Xanax and zoloft. That wasn't me, and Thank the universe, I am me again, however you may take that any way you wish, is fine with me. I do love you guys. Thanks for teaching me how to write a half way decent poem.



Rosemary's grandbaby

Of topic response - that's why I got off all my psychotropic drugs. I found out I offend people better that way. But, hey, its me.
Comments? Grammar mavens? Or am I playing a game? Possessive or contraction?

Back to topic - NPR, if you discard it, you lose all sense of community, granted it is a chore for those that do it, and once again I applaud those that do or have done it. But it is also a chore to leave comments. But it is good practice because really writing is a much bigger chore.

.

 

[Angeline]

Of topic response - that's why I got off all my psychotropic drugs. I found out I offend people better that way. But, hey, its me.
Comments? Grammar mavens? Or am I playing a game? Possessive or contraction?

Back to topic - NPR, if you discard it, you lose all sense of community, granted it is a chore for those that do it, and once again I applaud those that do or have done it. But it is also a chore to leave comments. But it is good practice because really writing is a much bigger chore.

.

I doubt we'll discard it. You saw the poll, I assume. Most people want to maintain it without assigned days and with everyone encouraged to comment and/or recommend. That was always the underlying idea anyway.

As for myself I read and comment when I can, but I have limited time to do that and would prefer to spend it mainly on workshopping poems here in the forum. If I read new poems that I think are good or show potential, I'll always try to get the poet in question to come here, but some just aren't interested as you know.

BTW the only reason I put in the option for a new thread is because I suspect that if we just leave the old thread up, people won't know we changed the process. They'll just wait for other people's days. They may not recommend anyway, but if we put up a new thread the lurkers will read it and at least know it's encouraged for all.

 

[Maria2394]

Maria, sis, I want you to write here and feel comfortable doing so. My regard for your talent has not diminished one bit. And I think bogus is right (I'm not saying that in any more threads today, bogus!) that you have a true talent and if you just start writing as much as possible it will come back again. Worked that way for me and I know it can for you, too.

We're fine btw although the pollen about made me want to jump off one of these mountains this spring.

Just write, sis.

Sweet Poet Sister-

I regret the pollen for you. Try the local honey, I have been told it helps. Plus, if you jump off the mountain, you will land on my gramma's house

Hubby and I will be moving that way by next spring. That's about how long they say I have to do the p/t thing. And if I ever wrote a decent poem, its because of You and Tess and Eve and 1201 and Bogus and WSO and Senna and Annaswirls....and, well, you know....it's like the Borg Collective in my head too many ideas and not enough spine to sit down and even try.

I have been enjoying your new threads. I will try a summer poem, but I am busy canning pepper and tomatoes and "stuff."

And HEY BOGUS!
Every bike I ever had was stolen....... but I like it when you yell because I am almost deaf in my good ear!

Seriously, I do admire so many of you. I am just sitting back enjoying the talent and getting some things ready for submission. Appalachia area has several reviews and quarterlys for people who are from the area. Maybe I will get lucky, or get NJ to send in her stuff, it's better

 

[Maria2394]

Of topic response - that's why I got off all my psychotropic drugs. I found out I offend people better that way. But, hey, its me.
Comments? Grammar mavens? Or am I playing a game? Possessive or contraction?

Back to topic - NPR, if you discard it, you lose all sense of community, granted it is a chore for those that do it, and once again I applaud those that do or have done it. But it is also a chore to leave comments. But it is good practice because really writing is a much bigger chore.

.

1201-
You know things about me no one else does. Maybe you don't know you know but you do. You remind me SOOOOOO much of my dad. HIs sarcastic wit, his scary humor....hmmmm. Maybe that's why I had such a crush on you when we first met.

Now that I realize the reason, well, you figger it out, lol. Real talent makes me horny

I still leave comments. Signed, comments. I will be back, now that this computer isn't giving me a conniption fit.

 

[twelveoone]

And if I ever wrote a decent poem, its because of You and Tess and Eve and 1201 and Bogus and WSO and Senna and Annaswirls....and, well, you know...

rybka,
you forgot rybka

now i'm not going to use the word 'better' so 'different' (even though rybka was a sort of measuring stick for me) but you do learn from the 'differents' and so there is a sort on indebtedness that goes with it, but you would be in error if you thought I didn't learn from you. And I would be a fool.

 

[Maria2394]

rybka,
you forgot rybka

now i'm not going to use the word 'better' so 'different' (even though rybka was a sort of measuring stick for me) but you do learn from the 'differents' and so there is a sort on indebtedness that goes with it, but you would be in error if you thought I didn't learn from you. And I would be a fool.

1201-
I still love you. Always will even though you can be aggravating at times, ( like me).

You are correct in that I left out Rybka, and Neo, OMG, neo, I cant believe I left you out what a poet he is, and so many more and Boo. I miss her so much. And I learned something from almost everyone here when I spent a considerable amount of time here. I am working on a little hillbilly chapbook t be submitted next year and I might send it to you to critique in bright red ink, lol.

Oh yeah, and the Fool! and OT and anyone here live near Chicago? I'm flying in, ( yep) on my broom< on the 27th and would love to say howdy. MY daughter is going for her Ph.D at U of F and I am helping her move....again, but she will be closer. My sweet little zooarch. yeeee, I'm so proud of her. She graduated with a perfect 4.0 summa Cum. I thank the Great Spirit or who ever is guiding us for my luck in having 2 of the most wonderful trouble free daughters ever.

I just popped in and as you know, I type too much.

Good night you guys. Sweet dreams. and Butters, I really am sorry, it was a mistake. I have been enjoying your work too now that I am not brain dead.



maria

 

[twelveoone]

1201-
I still love you. Always will even though you can be aggravating at times, ( like me).

You are correct in that I left out Rybka, and Neo, OMG, neo, I cant believe I left you out what a poet he is, and so many more and Boo. I miss her so much. And I learned something from almost everyone here when I spent a considerable amount of time here. I am working on a little hillbilly chapbook t be submitted next year and I might send it to you to critique in bright red ink, lol.

Oh yeah, and the Fool! and OT and anyone here live near Chicago? I'm flying in, ( yep) on my broom< on the 27th and would love to say howdy. MY daughter is going for her Ph.D at U of F and I am helping her move....again, but she will be closer. My sweet little zooarch. yeeee, I'm so proud of her. She graduated with a perfect 4.0 summa Cum. I thank the Great Spirit or who ever is guiding us for my luck in having 2 of the most wonderful trouble free daughters ever.

I just popped in and as you know, I type too much.

Good night you guys. Sweet dreams. and Butters, I really am sorry, it was a mistake. I have been enjoying your work too now that I am not brain dead.



maria

I can be aggravating most of the time, its a poetry enhancing drug. I learned that from Rybka.
Well hello, and good luck, and glad to hear the news.

 

[Angeline]

I'm bumping this thread to give everyone an update on the New Poems thread and maybe get some feedback from you. It is about two-thirds ready and here is what it will contain~

1. A short list of reasons why people should read new poems, comment on them, recommend them and invite poets to the forum.

2. A FAQ that covers some basics as to when and how folks can recommend (any time and any way, basically) including how to link to a new poem in a recommendation, how to link to the forum in a comment and a sample invite to the forum

3. A resource list of links to the new poems page and to each of the previous new poem recommendations threads. People can look at those old threads if they want to see how others have done recommendations, reviews (whatever they want to call them).

Am I missing any info that you think should be in that thread? I'd love to have info on leaving comments to link to in the resource list, but maybe we can start a thread about how to comment and link it up with the new poems thread when it has some posts in it.

Your feedback is appreciated and of course the post can be edited at any time, so if it goes up and then you notice something important missing, just let me know and I can fix it.

I hope to have the thread up later tonight or sometime tomorrow. It would have been sooner, but life encroaches on Lit sometimes.

 

[Tzara]

It's been a while since we've had a poet interview and I'm pleased to announce that Angeline has graciously consented to have me serve as Grand Inquisitor--I mean interviewer--for a thread about her poetry, her fondness for jazz, and the pleasures of living in "the largest city in Western North Carolina" (as Wikipedia charmingly puts it). Due to my stupidity in looking at an August calendar thinking it was September, we'll commence the interview a week from Thursday, on September 12 (or the 13th, for those of you on That Other Side of the World). You may all want to prepare by sampling some of Angie's superb backlist of posted poems, but don't neglect her newer poems on the One Poem a Week Thread or some of UYS's Teach-in threads.

It'll be interesting, informative, and fun, unless I screw it up. But, then, you all can ask questions too.

Coming to a Forum near you September 12.





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[champagne1982]

Now, this sets my poetry buzz alert to go off on the 12th. I look forward to learning a little more about our dark haired moderator. You have a hella job to do there T-zed. Looking very much forward to the interview.