What have you done for me lately?

[daughter]

Folks--

Can we step back a minute? One minute folks are cussin' out U.P. and other critics and the next, we're screamin' about when the next competition is going to begin?

The very people that are being criticized are some of the most committed and active members on this forum. Ask yourself, "What are you giving to this community?"

Constant demands for folks to do, to stop, to change. How many of you are creating threads and maintaining them? Who's picked up an older thread and kept it alive? Who's consisitently reviewing poems and promoting others?

Cyberguy started a great idea. I stated that a list alone isn't going to get the job done. He said he didn't feel it was necessary. The fact that it isn't moving suggests two things: without a few words about the poems, readers aren't motivated to seek them out. Two, members are not supporting the discussions on this forum.

Dedpoet started a thread for critiques only. It's gone seven days without any participation from core members.

But every thread that is an invitation for members to play and express their own efforts, they go on and on. Joking, teasing, flirting, just having fun.

I'm not a kill-joy, but folks it takes more than fun and contests to keep a forum alive. There are a few threads that I have started and have tried to maintain despite low participation. Why? Because I want us to have options and opportunities to learn and grow. I think that sometimes, we should invest time in someone other than ourselves.

If I wasn't stretched so thin, I'd write more on the other threads. You all know I enjoy critiques. I simply don't have time.

I realize you all have lives. I know I spend too much time here. My six year just called me on the carpet. She wants me to throw out my pc. She was in tears. I'm outta here folks. I'm going to do like the majority. Drop in and take, take, take, take. Or I might just stop coming period. I've been through before already. I have been burned out trying to entertain folks. No thanks.

A lot of folks have worked to get our own community. It will take more of us to keep it alive. Give. Give. Give.

Peace,

daughter

 

[WickedEve]

sigh...

daughter, you've done so much here that I bet you're worn out. Take a break and write. The more some people give, the more others take.
I've been guilty lately of not giving enough. I was doing the new poems thread and couldn't keep up with it. Most of my posts, lately, haven't been much more than just some cyber jabbering!
This is a community, and it can't stay as great as it is without us all pitching in.
Cyberguy and Ded poet and some other newer members have been really great!

WE

 

[Vailyn]

((((Hugs))))

daughter,

I am sorry. I hear what you are saying and agree. Too many complaints and not enough action. I'm still new to this side of the Lit and I thought it could be a place where people of similar minds could come and interact. Yet, there is a lot of negativity here and I let that stay my hands from doing more.

I like the challenges people bring up to the board. I want to learn and grow as a writer of poetry and prose. I would love to banter back and forth on a piece which I or another wrote. However, it seems that the majority of the writer's feelings get hurt rather too easily. And angry, hurtful words that might pertain only for a moment, an hour or a day are spilt across the screen for all to partake. To simply put it, like some others, I have long outgrown high school. Fact is, I didn't have to deal with this kind of crap when I was in high school. I would rather not have to deal with that kind of immature drama when there are real enough troubles in the world to be worried about.

There are many writers here who truly do care. Who put in precious time out of their busy lives to interact with others here. Maybe if we all try just a bit and stay true to some of the threads here, we can have a lively writing community with less of the awful bickering. The bootcamp idea is good. Although my attempts at completing a good sonnet has come to nil. <crooked grin> The sharing of the "lost" poetry is also a good idea. The critique forum should also be kept going. The idea has merit. (I'm bad for not participating in it enough. I was waiting for more responses. Sorry!) The sharing of poetry websites and etc. Several good interactive, learning threads which can broaden each of our skills and bring us all closer as a group.

Yet, the one thread I don't really see as healthy is the "New #1 Poetry" thread. I thought I cared about how many people would read my poem and respond. I don't. I dont' care if a bunch of strangers read my stuff. I don't really care what they think. When it comes down to it, it goes back to my belief of, "I only care about the opinions of people who are important in my life, those I trust." I do care what most of you in this forum think. Why? Because I took the time to go thru a lot of older comments and grown to know you in my own way. Each of you has a prescence in my mind. A place in my poetic world. So. Simple. You matter. So far, I see equal harm and good coming from keeping that thread alive. Why have it?

Can't we just have the an interesting competition like those UP make? By those we create new things and share amongst those who wrote and are interested-even if they didn't participate.

The Bootcamp and Critque forum will also allow interaction and showcasing of poetry without the insane "Why didn't I get placed first for longer than 10 seconds?" junk.

Everyone knows what the problem is, and if you don't--well, your world is much more simple than mine! =) Just about everyone has had their say and gave their lecture. Here is mine. I will personally try to take more time out of my hectic schedule and input more into the community. I give it a trial run. If it doesn't seem like there are any changes as a whole. Then I'll simply stop posting here. Sometimes, I have more fun just posting on The Passionate Poetry Corner on SRP than I do here. In fact, that is what drew me back to Lit.

Let us all try to make this community the kind that we desire. With collective effort, anything is possible.

-V

 

[RisiaSkye]

daughter,

I'm sorry to see you getting frustrated. And I definitely understand that you've got RL family and life-needs to attend to; please, however, don't leave us. As a group, we get childish. Believe me, I'm not excusing myself from that. Eventually, it gets better. It always does.

Get some kid time, some man time, some chill-out-with-a-glass-of-Sangria time, hon. We'll still be here for you. And, speaking for myself, I appreciate all you contribute.



daughter's post brings up an important point about threads and participating in the public exchange. I don't participate a whole lot in the public critique of work, but many of you *should* know that I send private feedback as often as I can take the time to do it right. That's the best I can do for now--between teaching and being in the middle of the qualifying process, my time with my husband is already stretched thin. We're all doing our best here...most of the time. It's just been a bad coupla weeks.



RS

 

[Debbie]

I try my best to give as much spare time as I can to giving feedback to Lit. Feedback is very important.

I have developed a reputation for being sensitive. I am, who I am, daughter is who she is. As is U.P and KM, WickedEve. lovetoread, dillinger and so many others.

We all have differing opinions, views, personalities and outlooks.
I respect that.

I give positive feedback. I am an optimist. I write poetry and stories, I expect to get negative and positive feedback. I don't want constant pats on the head and you are wonderful. I want honesty but I also want respect and balance.

I am learning to give more indepth feedback and constructive critique. One step at a time.

Somewhere in someway, despite what you think of the form, imagery, syntax, punctuation, content etc does the poem say/mean anything to you?

To me poetry is meaningful, expressive and a great way to show others what you are about. What your outlook on life is. What inspires you. etc etc etc

I see artwork in a museum that I think, on first impression is a bunch of messy paintstrokes? I look again. Seeing the colours. The way the artist has purposely paused in mid paintstroke, an emphasis here and a daub of paint here. Seeing again the piece of art just in a different light.

Don't write off a poem on first instinct because you don't get it. Don't prejudge a person on first impression. You never know what you could be missing out on.

I want feedback, I want to grow and learn as a poet/writer. I would be narrowminded if I didn't.


(None of this post is directed at anyone in particular. It is my opinion.)

Can we not accept that we are all different, as in a marriage, there are always misunderstandings, communication difficulties. I thought you meant "blah blah blah when you said blah blah." and personal feelings involved.

Some of us here at lit are blatant,completely blunt and honest, some are more reserved and sensitive. Each to their own. "You can lead a person to logic but you can't make them think/react the way you do." lol

We all bring something to Lit. In our own way. I don't need to sing the praises of others to know who you are as to improving this forum and upholding new/old poets/ poems.


Don't write me off for intellectual, indepth, honest discussion on my poems because I am overly sensitive. I still want to hear what you have to say.


There are many people in this forum who I deeply respect, for their intelligence, poetry, wit, input and sheer brilliance.

As a community in r/l or here online, don't we accept those around us who are different in the way they think and react?

We are so lucky to have this forum. Lit is a great place and the people I have met here have helped to expand my horizons, explore my talent and help me to grow as a person and writer. The interaction in this community is invaluable.


Let us continue, together to grow and flourish. Pluck my leaves if need be but give me some plant food as well! My .05 c said. (We don't have 2 c here anymore in our currency lol)

debbie

 

[alice]

an outsider

d and I go back a bit. Growing pains? I like reading your poems and the contests are exciting. Just add one or two comments to keep a thread current. A little from a lot will go a long way.

Good luck.

alice

 

[tigerjen]

I've promoted many a poem before.....recently hasn't been
the case because I haven't the time or energy to do just
that....plus i've been laying low because certain people
rag on me for this, that and the other thing.

I am that we poets got our own forum......now let's
put a bit more oomph into it........as people have been
saying....."give and take".......I am glad that some of the
newer members (i.e. Cyberguy) have stepped up to the
plate and got some things going such as threads to
"dig up poems that have been in the diamond mines but
haven't been discovered yet".

However, I think with so much focus on the toplist itself
and "who's gonna be #1 next", many of us have lost sight
of what we are really here for.......are we here to do
statistics, or are we here to do some creative writing and
present it to our readers and fellow poets for feedback
(although a few votes won't hurt ). Not counting the
poems that I've done for the Games, last time I put up a new
poem was right after the new year; I am currently working
on a new one now but can't finish it......when I finally get that
great idea, its going to hit me like a lightning bolt out of
nowhere.......

daughter wrote:
The very people that are being criticized are some of the
most committed and active members on this forum. Ask
yourself, "What are you giving to this community?"
Constant demands for folks to do, to stop, to change.
How many of you are creating threads and maintaining
them? Who's picked up an older thread and kept it alive?
Who's consisitently reviewing poems and promoting
others?

daughter made a good point here.....I will agree strongly
with this because I know I've been slammed and spanked
and ragged on a number of times.....I will say that I don't
take criticism very well, esp. negative, but am slowly learning
to accept that as part of "the learning process."

REMEMBER THIS: One cannot please everybody......
(even myself)

I know I've done my share here on Lit....promoting my
own work, and others' poems, etc.......but I am a person
who focuses more on the positive aspect of things and doesn't
go around ragging on others unless its for an absolutely
good reason, which is rare.

*Phew!* Sorry for babbling.....but its time for me to
get some sleep......had overnight last nite.....zzzzzzzzz

later, all!

tigerjen

 

[KillerMuffin]

I whole-heartedly agree with daughter. Color me the chick standing in the background with pom-poms.

However, I don't give feedback here anymore. And it is a sensitivity issue. I'm honest and I lack tact. I, quite simply, don't think about the writer when I am reading a work. I only think about the work itself. These two things are not connected in my mind. When I write feedback, I write them honestly and with a lot of thought. I put a lot of time into it.

I got back, Well if it isn't your cup of tea it's not problem. And this on a thread where feedback from participants is a requirement for participation.

So, the requirement I instituted on the story feedback board is now the same requirement that I have here. If a poet wants my feedback, the poet must specifically as me for it.

Anyway, I'm not going to participate as much here as before. My poetry sucks. It's not that important to me in the scheme of things. I don't have to put up with sensitive persons who would prefer I lied to them, so I won't.

 

[KatPurrs]

Guilty as charged

daughter,

You and U.P. have given so much to us poets. When I came here in July, this place was dead! Threads moved at a snail's pace and the Top List was motionless.

Thank you both for all you've done.

I'll admit I don't give enough. I goof off, joke and flirt more than I am serious. I guess that's just me. I feel like I'm a terrible critic. Hell I like everything! I'm amazed at just about every poem I read! I don't know aliteration, meter, and line break issues like you and others. I am a total novice and feel deficient. Now I know that pov, that attitude, pisses a lot of people off but I'd just as soon leave the critiquing to the pros and I definitely am not one. I simply don't have the know-how, but I will try to let people at least know how their poems make me "feel".

I have no idea how I can work in more time here without losing my happy home, but will try. Wish I could zip around the board more easily. My connection is slower than death to the point where I almost fall asleep at the wheel, waiting for things to load.

I'm sorry to see you so upset. I'll try to be a better member of this wondeful community. Just don't go! OK?

Kat~

 

[SA Storm]

Time

 

[JUDO]

Re: Guilty as charged

I'll try to be a better member of this wondeful community.

(Tongue firmly planted in cheek.)

No problem, KP. We'll just tie you and up tickle you until you submit. Okay? Alright, alright...quit your whining. A little spanking we can throw in.

That work for you?

But seriously, folks...

My best solution to having more time is to limit what you contribute to. The very most I try to get to per day is three threads. Three! And sometimes that ends up being hours for me.

So, lately, I look at the Author threads, the Poet threads and once-in-a-while, I dabble in General. (Although, that place scares me.)

Sometimes, I swap out another thread for spice, but that's about it. Many days, I just go to one thread and post 2 or 3 things and move on to the tremendous pile of stuff I have to do outside of this virtual place.

 

[Whispersecret]

I admit to contributing to the negativity. I will attempt to curb myself.

However, hopefully I'm forgiven, because I do also contribute in a positive way. I give feedback constantly. I spent an entire day off from work to read and comment on the LIVE poems in the first Olympic event, and commented on about 95% of the Heavy Lifting poems. I jumped into the bootcamp thread with a sonnet and commented on most of the sonnets there too. Coming up on the Hold Poems up to the Light thread, I'll be interviewing daughter (if she doesn't get completely disgusted and leave.) And behind the scenes, I'm sending private feedback to people as well.

So, I feel I've been giving, all right. And I will give some more because I don't want to see daughter leave.

 

[daughter]

There's a lot of to stay for

Folks--

We're all a little frustrated. If we stick it out, we'll get to the other side. Judo has a plan. I can't see me stickin' to three threads, but if we pick a few a day, add something, we can keep things current and fun.

I'll hang in there, and I hope you all do, too. Thanks for the support, folks. I feel a little awkward now.

Peace,

daughter

 

[mskittykatt]

please don't feel uncomfortable D, the most important thing i've learned in my interaction with the people around me is to ask for what you need. if you don't, then we don't know.
i do have a question about the threads here... We are so spread out, there are to many threads all talking about the same things- the way we deal with each other, how we feel about it... can they be put into one thread we can watch to see where our peers are at today?

 

[daughter]

different threads

mskitty,

While 95% of the threads are about poetry, each thread has a different focus and purpose.

Judo and smithpeter gave us great leads. Pick a few and helps keep those supported.

Peace,

daughter

 

[mskittykatt]

i just meant the ones all talking about the issues we've been having, perky has i thread, you do, i do... when we're really all talking about our own perspectives on the topic.

 

[daughter]

let them die naturally

If we don't continue to respond, they'll fall off. I have no way of consolidating them. We don't have a moderator in this forum. What your asking is a moderator's function. Those options have to be turned on by an administrator.

Peace,

daughter

 

[mskittykatt]

good point. i have just seen that i should chose my replies more carefully, thanks for the affirmation of that.