feedback!!!

[billy]

I put the following post in the suggestion area and felt it should also go here.

we placed a sort of feedback slogan in the poetry forums header, and in the the individual poetry sections as seen on the home page.
in the hope of it reminds people why many of us are here.

can we think of other ways to let it be known what we expect of our members who post poetry?

no rants allowed, just suggestions

[Todd]

I say let's see if what you've done works. It's straight forward and not the least bit subtle. I like it.

[Leanne]

Agreed. There's not a lot more we can do and I hope it works.

I think when people start to write some critiques they'll realise just how much effort goes into it -- sometimes it takes longer to write a critique than a poem! -- but it's worthwhile for everyone in the long run.

[billy]

addy also placed an entry in the sites logo. which i personally think is top fuckin notch hehe.

[billy]

we've made the "Get feedback. Give feedback. It's all we ask." line in the header a a clickable, linkable line of text.
which takes you to a page about feedback lifted off the critique page. (courtesy of Leanne)

[Wildcard]

I think anyone who commits to the site (going back and reading posts, doing the exercizes, etc...) will get the message. Those who just wanna post a poem and vanish won't. In my opinion, you guys swarm to a new poem around here and a new poster feels welcomed and smiles a lot reading the constructive suggestions.
Getting over the fear of 'saying something stupid' is the biggest problem I see. A lot of your work is so far beyond my level of knowledge that it feels like trying to touch up the Mona Lisa with a crayon. I try to just comment about the words themselves, but hopefully with a little self education I can one day provide helpful advice . . . kinda doubt it though cause y'all are getting better all the time too.

[Leanne]

Advice, or help, comes in different forms AA. Poetry is just as much about gut reaction as technicalities -- sometimes a simple "I don't really think that line works with that one" or "this makes me think of..." is more valuable than any other piece of feedback.

We write poems for people, not professors of poetry.

[Wildcard]

My respect for the mods here grows with every post I read. Particularly, when you guys critique each others work, it is extremely useful to me. My greatest effort goes into every critique that I write here. In those occasions when I leave very little feedback, it is not for lack of desire, but rather lack of wisdom. You can count on me to keep trying.

[billy]

My respect for the mods here grows with every post I read. Particularly, when you guys critique each others work, it is extremely useful to me. My greatest effort goes into every critique that I write here. In those occasions when I leave very little feedback, it is not for lack of desire, but rather lack of wisdom. You can count on me to keep trying.

believe or not, i applaud effort over wisdom (and if that isn't a quote it damn well should be

it is the truth though AA. we all learn by trying

[Aish]

At DS feedback is required at a ratio of 3:1 (3 critiques for each poem posted). I know you have shied away from putting stringent rules in place, but it may become necessary as more people join.

[billy]

if everyone did a one for one i'd be happy
i do what i can but it gets less the more who post, which is a good thing. i try and do the newbs so that they
don't feel like it's a dead site. and when i can i do some of the other poems as well as the other forums.
i'm happy that we're active and that we've got people who lead by example.

i really don't want to set quota, instead we're just keeping what we want as high profile as possible.

[Aish]

I am attempting to come back full of piss and vinegar

[billy]

you succeeded
i altered my sig so it leaves a PS. on every post or piece of feed back i give

[Aish]

Fabtastic!!!! Now I won't have to piss on everyone (P.S. is subjectively better than piss)

[billy]

it actually means "PISS STATIONS"

and i got addy to do the same

[Aish]

*sanitizes keyboard*

[billy]

hopefully it will have an effect on newb to the sites poets (nice one Aish )

[grannyjill]

Hi, Folks,
Obviously I am new here, and I consider myself a novice poet, so I've been a little hesitant at leaping in with feedback. But, I am trying. I'm like AA...I don't think I am in a position to give advice, so my responses will be in the nature of 'Wow' and maybe even 'How do you do that?'

So, hope that is okay.

bye grannyjill

[Leanne]

That's perfect It's not so much about giving advice (though if you do, that's great, because advice comes in all different flavours) as just having a spirit of cooperation, give-and-take rather than just take-and-run.

[Todd]

Hi, Folks,
Obviously I am new here, and I consider myself a novice poet, so I've been a little hesitant at leaping in with feedback. But, I am trying. I'm like AA...I don't think I am in a position to give advice, so my responses will be in the nature of 'Wow' and maybe even 'How do you do that?'

So, hope that is okay.

bye grannyjill

Hi Jill,

Everyone starts in critique like they do in poetry (knowing next to nothing and being nervous). My method is to be willing to look foolish and take risks. If something sounds wrong to you try to say why you think it sounds wrong. If you have a wow response try to explain what about the poem prompted that for you. Take small steps but don't stress over it. Like all things you get better by doing.

Again I'm glad you're here.

Best,

Todd