problems posting..

[Intricate B]

This thread is out of date as the posting rules have changed, but I'm leaving it up for the pleasure of reading Leanne's comments on critique. If you're having problems posting just read your welcome letter./ella

I can't seem to post in the poetry forums..
I've offered critique,  
And would love to receive as well,
Though am unable to post my work..
Am I doing something wrong?

[ellajam]

I can't seem to post in the poetry forums..
I've offered critique,
And would love to receive as well,
Though am unable to post my work..
Am I doing something wrong?

Hi, B, welcome. Read this:new users

[Intricate B]

Thank you for your help..

[milo]

I can't seem to post in the poetry forums..
I've offered critique,
And would love to receive as well,
Though am unable to post my work..
Am I doing something wrong?

I read the critique you left. Something like " nice one, it is like stuff I write" . Think carefully, do you believe you are offering anything at all? Try this, just cut and paste what you wrote at the bottom of the poems you posted and see if it means anything to you. No rush, I will wait here, you reply to this message when you think you have figured it out.

[Intricate B]

I honestly have never been any good at critique.
I don't know how..
I know what I like, and what I don't.
So, that's all I feel I can speak on..
I'm not a traditional poet,
And definitely don't understand what defines a "decent critique"..
So if you may help me define that, maybe I can offer better critique..

[Leanne]

Constructive comments:

· Remember that this is not your writing. Ask yourself what the author wants to achieve and how best that goal can be met within the existing framework of the piece. Do not attempt to impose your own style on another writer; a good reviewer will in fact impose the writer’s style on him/herself for the duration of the critique.

· Consider that the speaker/voice of the writing is not always that of the author, even if it uses an I. It is a mistake to assume that anything written in the first person is always autobiographical, and to do so can in fact offend. It is possibly best to avoid giving “life advice” in a critique, other than as a direct requirement for interpretation of the piece.

· Expect that every piece of writing posted may eventually be ready for publication, and do your best to help it get there. Even the tiniest word can make a difference – be thorough. This does not mean that you should look only for flaws – rather, ask yourself if what you are suggesting will really enhance the writing. Remove weaknesses, enhance strengths – at all times try to be balanced in your criticism and explain yourself when it is needed.

· Examine all aspects: technical merit, possible meanings, aesthetics and effectiveness. A piece that is technically brilliant may fall short in aesthetics or originality; if it’s aesthetically pleasing it may not really make an impact. Try to work out why. If you are not sure of the technique used, it is often a good idea to find out before you write your review. This not only provides the most help to the author, it also increases your own knowledge.

· Never use criticism of writing as a means to criticise the author. Conducting personal feuds via critiques and/or writing posts does nothing to nurture the written word and is detrimental to poetry itself.

· Equally, criticism of writing should not be used to ingratiate oneself with the author. Flattery is in fact very damaging, creating a false idea of one’s ability. Praise good work, certainly, but never with empty words. Make it clear that you have read the piece and explain why you appreciate it. No comments should be made in an attempt to solicit comments in return. A give-and-take in reviews is preferable but should never be demanded.

---

Whether you "like" or "don't like" something should be irrelevant. If you're good enough to write poetry then you should be good enough to question the word choices and technicalities of other people's poems at the very least.

[Intricate B]

Thank you..
I will take this into consideration.

[ellajam]

I honestly have never been any good at critique.
I don't know how..
I know what I like, and what I don't.
So, that's all I feel I can speak on..
I'm not a traditional poet,
And definitely don't understand what defines a "decent critique"..
So if you may help me define that, maybe I can offer better critique..

I know how you feel. I suggest doing some reading on this site. Read the entire thread: poem, critiques and how the poet chose to make or not make changes.

It's really very interesting, and it helped me to give enough of a critique to participate here. My suggestions may not be too good, but the poet is free to ignore them, and it's nice to get different points of view.

[AcasiaMotley]

soooo I'm having issues posting my poetry...

I have offered critique and I personally think that my critique wasn't that basic or short. or a flimsy set of words, but for some reason I'm not allowed to post, not even on the newly registered forum.

please help, is there something I did wrong or haven't done at all?

thank you

[Todd]

Acasia, I'll send you a PM to discuss.

[AcasiaMotley]

Acasia, I'll send you a PM to discuss.

Kay Thanks

[ChristopherSea]

Same problem here, I have posted two critiques and can not post yet a poem of my own that I would love to share. Any help?

Serloco, you need to post 5-pieces of legitimate feedback in critical forums in order to post your own poem. Welcome and good luck./Chris

[Leanne]

That's because 4 isn't 5.

You can still post in the Newly Registered forum.

[escher]

this may be a silly question - but how do you do the quoting what someone has said or their poem where it sits separate to your critique? How it sits in kind of a bubble and not just quoting within your critique - If that makes sense? I couldn't work out how people are doing this.

also are we supposed to critique 5 different poems? or make 5 critiquing comments? I understood it to be the latter

[billy]

it has to 5 in the main 3 feedback forums, you have 4 and one of them was deleted

That's because 4 isn't 5.

You can still post in the Newly Registered forum.

Oh i see , thank you. I thought you needed only one critique with 5 points in it, and so...

---

Now i have done 6 and still no luck.

[ellajam]

this may be a silly question - but how do you do the quoting what someone has said or their poem where it sits separate to your critique? How it sits in kind of a bubble and not just quoting within your critique - If that makes sense? I couldn't work out how people are doing this.

also are we supposed to critique 5 different poems? or make 5 critiquing comments? I understood it to be the latter

Hit reply on the post you are addressing to quote it in the reply. All sorts of tips for using the forum are in FAQ, pinned to the top of this forum.

[billy]

crit 5 different poems. you wouldn't normally crit the same poem twice unless it was on an edit and then you wouldn't normally be giving in depth crit

[Leanne]

Before anyone else asks why they can't post poems anywhere except the Newly Registered forum, I joined up as a regular member yesterday just to make sure the system is still functional and sure enough, I got this message in my email inbox and also as a private message here on the site:

Before posting:

Please read the forum rules and other help documents that can be found
by clicking on the following url:

http://www.pigpenpoetry.com/misc.php?action=help

Due to fly tipping (leaving lots of poetry) without giving feedback
elsewhere on the site.

All threads posted without giving proper feedback in one of the other
poetry forums we have will mean your poem could be deleted.

We'll try and deal with each thread started as fast as we can.
Thank you for your patience. You will, however, be free to leave
comments on other members' works in all of the poetry forums, or start
threads in non-poetry forums.

We expect poets new and old to attempt to give reasonable feedback on
other people's work before posting their own for workshopping (we work
on a give and take system).

After giving  five pieces of feedback on other people's poetry (outside the
newly registered forum), your access will be expanded and you'll be able
to start threads site-wide.
We do ban poets who write their own poetry without giving feedback
elsewhere.

We look forward to workshopping with you.

P.S.  when we say reasonable, we don't mean one line saying wow, this is
great. or one line feedback done simply to get round this rule.

There are NO EXCUSES for ignoring the rules any longer.  People who offer no feedback will have their posts deleted.  Mods should not have to continually repeat this just because you are incapable of doing us the courtesy of reading information before complaining about it.