09-24-2011, 12:05 AM
IMO workshopping may yield something better than a good poem of unclear origin. While I agree that the artist must keep her/his voice in tact and have the mental capacity to be the master of their own work, I can't see how using suggestions could compromise that notion. If I write a poem and let my wife (or my mother or anyone) read it, I'm doing so to judge their reaction and possibly garner their criticism. What is the difference?
Instead of picking biased test subjects with very little understanding of the art, the workshop provides more knowledgeable readers on different levels of poetic discovery. The advice and suggestions of these fellow poets stands a higher chance of being valuable - and keep in mind that the only hand that ever actually makes changes to the work is yours. Still exercising that poetic voice . . .
It might seemed 'weak-minded' to change your words, but like Leanne said, were they ever your words to begin with?
Instead of picking biased test subjects with very little understanding of the art, the workshop provides more knowledgeable readers on different levels of poetic discovery. The advice and suggestions of these fellow poets stands a higher chance of being valuable - and keep in mind that the only hand that ever actually makes changes to the work is yours. Still exercising that poetic voice . . .
It might seemed 'weak-minded' to change your words, but like Leanne said, were they ever your words to begin with?