We now have a jokes section?

[manfredvijars]

... I think the jokes were overtaking the chit chat section so Manfred has put them in a separate area and so you don't have to read them.

YEP, that's right Heather ... I'll also make it viewable for "registered forum members" only ...

[Irene]

Interesting opinions.
In my opinion, this is a poetry site, and it should stick to poetry. Having said that, the general chit chat site is a great section, and allows everyone to build on the friendships that are made on site, and at events. Rightly so, it is not available to the general public. Jokes should be kept in that section. However, if we must have a jokes section, it should not be open to the public.

While we are voicing opinions on the site, I would like to see some changes to our writing workshop section.
Maureen does a wonderful job of providing topics - and a huge thank you to her.
However, my understanding was that this section was introduced to allow newer poets to improve their writing skills. It was a forum for receiving constructive feedback regarding their work.
I personally don't see any difference between this section now, and the members poetry section or the users poetry section. There is little constructive feedback for newer poets (and that is not a criticism of the comments made, but perhaps a recognition that many of us are reluctant to offer constructive criticism!) - albeit plenty of praise!

While it is great to receive praise for our work, on our journey towards improving our bush poetry writing, it is more beneficial at times to receive constructive criticism. Perhaps we could have one or two of our ABPA approved judges (if any can find the time) commit to providing a short critique on each poem. There has been much written about how difficult it is for newer poets to compete in the competitions - this would help ensure they understand the judging criteria, and stand a better chance, and give them more confidence of placing in the comps. It could be a monthly topic - to cut the work load.

When I first started posting poetry on the bushverse site, we had a regular competition whereby someone would 'judge' them, and provide a short comment on them. Each poem was posted under the original thread, with others not encouraged to comment - just like if you had a real competition (but much briefer comments!) I found it immensely helpful in improving my writing skills. It was a brilliant forum for supporting and encouraging new poets without the cost of entering competitions, and the resulting disappointment when they don't place. There were many poets had their starts there, and I feel we are in the best position to offer that same support here.

The very generous and qualified person - A Judi Cater - who did the judging in her/his own free time is a member of our group here (being discreet here, so I don't put any pressure on them!! ) but it would probably need a couple of people to do it so one person doesn't bear the brunt of the work.

Just my humble opinion!!

Catchya
Irene

[DollyDot]

Good idea! I love coming on here and reading what everyone has written but have only posted poetry twice. I did get a lot of help and for that I am grateful but I'm reluctant to post as I know my work is not up to other people's standards.

[Heather]

Post, post, post Dot. We all started out at one point. I've only been writing just over two years, Sue one year, Marty probably a little longer and we (and others) have all learnt so much by posting and receiving constructive criticism. I didn't know what metre was when I first started. You just got to do it girl! We don't bite. I remember how scared I was when I posted my first poem. It makes you feel very vulnerable - but we've all been there, trust me (dont trust bob but trust me!) I got so much help (from Glenny and Neville mostly) that it made a huge difference to my understanding of metre, syllables, beats etc. You will learn so much quicker if you do.

So, Dot, we expect a posting now. Get to it!

Heather

[Bob Pacey]

Oh Heather I'm cut to the bone, are you telling me that by reading my poetry you did find out what not to do ???

I thought that would b more helpful than all that other mumbo jumbo about silly bells and yards oh sorry meters that Neville and Gelnny Poo write about.



Dot anytime you want the real advice just send me a private pm and I'll do up a detailed critique that you can read in depth and then disgard.

Well thats what everyone else does,and look how they are going ahead in leaps and bounds.



Cheers Bob

[Neville Briggs]

Very good thoughts Irene. People here, like people everywhere are a mixed bag, some welcome comments, others ignore, some seem to resent or take criticism as a personal slight.
How to steer a constructive course through all of that is a baffling mystery I find.
What you have brought up is worthwhile trying to work out , I think.

[DollyDot]

Thanks Heather for the encouragement.

Good point Marty.

Neville - I think what you said is what I was thinking; though I never found anything offensive in what people said but it is like baring your soul (that's if you have one) . I think the idea of having a group of people is good but then maybe one person giving good constructive advice is also good. One of the main reasons I decided to come on here was to get feedback as well as to read good poetry, the former is hard to get (anywhere else) but the latter makes it worthwhile.

Also there are many different ways of explaining the same thing and that probably is the best thing about the way the forum operates now as one can take the way they understand best and run with it. It is not much good saying to me hear the hard/soft sounds in the piece as I don't hear them. Singing the words does help and I do that at times. Anyone who has any ideas, I'm open to them. You can pm me anytime. I have heaps of half/ poorly written stuff; that's why I thought Irene's idea was a good one. I also find tha by just reading it yourself it is easy to make the 'metre fit' and and is not so noticeably incorrect; but once you put it on paper for others it is blaringly obvious, to them that it is all wrong. I realise time is a major factor as most people are busy with their own poetry and of course there are other things in life (I think)!

Thanks

Dot

[Maureen K Clifford]

Dot - all the advice that is mentioned here is good - Just post it or pm it someone who doesn't scare you if you think it is really crappy - which I would doubt anyway. You can feel free to send it to me if you want - but I have been writing for years, and am still getting it wrong sometimes so it is an ongoing learning curve. What you say about all the different explanations also rings true - someone will say something one day and the penny will drop just as Marty also alluded to. Metre is my biggest bugbear - I think I have got it, and then do something, a comment is placed and I realize that maybe I haven't got it after all.

But that is what this site is about, learning, refining, helping with friends and people who genuinley care about what you are doing but who also know or at least have a fair idea of what your are doing wrong.

Just post them up girl - it won't hurt and it will surely help.

Cheers

Maureen

[Maureen K Clifford]

Irene that is a good idea - and would be most helpful. I think that we do get some good comments on work - on the homework site Uncle Neville usually separates the wheat from the chaff.

It is hard to know if people would take offence at comments especially perhaps newer writers, maybe this particular segment of the forum needs to have an annotation to the effect that work submitted here will be subject to constructive critiquing or words to that effect so that people realize its intent.

Cheers

Maureen

[DollyDot]

Thanks Maureen

I did not mean that the advice I got wasn't good. It was and I was most grateful but does not help the nerves!

Thanks again!

Dot