Reassure the Vision

[danny_]

I love thinking about art and discussing what works for me and what doesn't as opposed to what works for you and what doesn't. 

That's a good point, if I understand correctly. You want to understand yourself, your own taste, the artist that you are? But I also want others to connect with my work as much as possible. I would never want to be hard to understand. Although I don't want to be dull and obvious (I can be too straight-forward sometimes) I would like the window open wide as to the clarity and meaning - but I want the view to be worth looking at.

One of the interesting things, for me, about writing but not publishing poetry is that it is a form that indeed is open-ended. What I think is good enough to stop messing with today may have something I'd like to tweak tomorrow.

That's so true. I've been molding some poems for years. As I learn more I want to refine my work. I have improved some greatly in letting them sit for years and then returning. It's a way of creating space and becoming the observer rather than writer. Yet I still have two feelings at once: they are done, and they need to be completely rewritten from a fresh start. 

As far as I know this has never been a site for just presenting a finished piece for admiration.

No, and that's not what it should be of course. We need this workshop atmosphere.

Analyzing poems does not preclude feeling them. Different critics tend to discuss different aspects. There is sometimes the rush to comment Wow, I'm knocked out!

But still... we need reassurement as writers that what we've put down even barely hints at the original vision. (At least I do.) That's why I would like to see a reflection of the experience - even the perceived intended experience - from critiques as an important start. I can't think of any other motivation than being close to reaching my readers. After that confidence I don't mind a thorough analyzing.

Writing is powerful. I just think it gets picked at a little dryly sometimes. We know that enthusiastic feedback from family and friends can be biased. But a reply from a critic can feel dry. And that kind of kills the motivation. 

It's still a priceless tool, this place.

Well, I think I've got it all out now. Writing is something I both love and feel frustrated about. 

BTW: thanks for your reply.