Just signing in

[TwistedCage]

Hi all, my name is James, and wanted to introduce myself.
I know very little about poetry, but I enjoy writing. Perhaps this forum will teach me more about this 'art'.

I'm new to all this so be gentle, and lead me consrtuctivly. I am a 'newbie' after all...To this forum, and in writing poetry in general.

I want to get better at this, so criticism is welcomed as long as it's constructive. (just don't beat me down!) I'll be posting in 'general'

I'm looking forward to the 'experience'...

Cage

[HowardM2]

Welcome to PFFA. As the New Posters' Orientation (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11138&poems) informs you:

"Here you will receive constructive comments on what needs to be done to your work to make it better. NOTE: "Constructive" does not necessarily mean complimentary, flattering, or pleasant; many are likely to be negative, even harsh. That is the nature of a workshop. You can't improve if you're just told that you're a good little poet and get patted on the head. If you can't handle negative criticism, don't post. We mean it."

You should also spend some time with the thread on Nasty Criticism (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9932) as well to get a better idea of how PFFA operates. PFFA exists entirely for the benefit of those who are fully committed to the process of learning to improve their work; among other things, this means that one isn't always going to be treated gently. PFFA's methods and practices, for that reason, aren't suitable for everyone, a fact you may wish to bear in mind.

Howard, moderator

[TwistedCage]

Thanks, Howard. I have a question about comments, though. I know nothing about poetry, so I'm finding it hard to comment on others work. The rules say not to just say you like it, but to be specific.

I'm at a loss here...How do I respond to others work w/o understanding the basics of poetry?

Am I in the wrong place???

Cage

[HowardM2]

You begin by studying these threads on the basics of critique:

JB's Top Five Crit Tips for Beginners (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9881)

How Do You Write Good Critiques? (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9953)

How Do You Choose Which Poems to Critique? (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9909)

Obviously, of course, you will also need to be studying and learning about poetry at the same time; start with the red-marked threads listed in the Subject Index to the "Blurbs of Wisdom" forum (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9967&poems). You will need to follow those up immediately with one or more of the following books:

Frances Mayes--The Discovery of Poetry: A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems
Mary Oliver--A Poetry Handbook
Laurence Perrine--Sound and Sense
Kim Adonnizio and Dorianne Laux--The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry
Steve Kowit--In the Palm of Your Hand: The Poet's Portable Workshop
Robert Pinsky--The Sounds of Poetry

Additionally, you will need to read a great deal of current poetry. The most convenient collection (although expensive) is The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, two volumes.

Clearly, participation here means that you are serious about poetrywriting and you are willing to invest time, effort, and energy into study and learning about poetry. If, however, all this seems to be too much hard work for you, then you're definitely in the wrong place.


Howard

[TwistedCage]

Thanks again, Howard. Writing has been more, or less a hobbie for me. I'm not looking to get published or anything, but I do like the honest feedback, and suggestions I've seen here. I also like the fact that this place offers information to help you write better.

I would hate to waste the time of others with a 'hobbie.' Maybe you know a better place that would suit my needs, but not waste the time of other, more serious writers? I'm not looking for 'showcase,' but rather a place I could find sincere, honest, and helpful feedback to better my writing...

Cage

[Little Skittle]

Well for beginners who really would like to improve, this is the place. You can get sincere feedback as well, but that happens as you improve in your writing.

I would hate to waste the time of others with a 'hobbie.' Maybe you know a better place that would suit my needs, but not waste the time of other, more serious writers?

That is good to know. I have recently found this other workshop site that seems to be fairly against any nasty criticism. You won't get the quality or the quantity of information there as you get here, but it seems like that is not what you are looking for. You can find it here (http://forum.celaine.com/). It is a developing site, which is relatively new to the internet. They don't seem to have goldmines of valuable information/people like we do here either.

Anyways, just another option out there. And no, I have not joined the site.

Little Skittle

[HowardM2]

Most of the posters here write more or less as a "hobby"; that doesn't mean they aren't serious about developing as writers, of course. If your hesitation is the result of your lack of knowledge, then bear a couple of things in mind:

1. The majority of posters here begin with little real knowledge. That's what the "General" and "Chaos" forums are for--those who are just getting started and are beginning the learning process. More is expected in the critical forums ("General C&C" up to "Merciless"), but acquiring the ability to post in those forums is an evolutionary process, one that a number of the regulars here have been through. So starting off as you have in "General" is perfectly fine and normal.

2. No matter how you regard your writing, if your goal is to improve it, then study is a necessity; one can never gain enough knowledge just from receiving critiques to develop. That's why we have the "Blurbs" forum and the various lists of recommended books; without devoting time to those, no matter where you are posting, you're unlikely to improve. Critical comments on specific pieces are not a substitute for a more systematic and extensive education (and usually that means "self-education") in the fundamentals of poetry and poetrywriting.

3. There are over 2,000 poetry boards on the internet, of widely and wildly varying quality; here's a brief list from the "Other Venues" forum (http://www.everypoet.org/pffa/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9872&poems) listing some sites which offer "kinder, gentler critique." Bear in mind, though, that virtually all board boards are going to have a requirement involving commenting on others' work; as a rule, those which expect little in the way of critiques which are given usually provide little of real value to someone who actually wishes to grow as a writer.

[TwistedCage]

Thanks, Howard! Maybe I'll stick around. I think I will check out 'Blurbs of Wisdom'. I never have been much on 'studying', but I have an intrest in this, so perhaps 'study' won't be too painful...

Cage