comps

[Leonie]

Well said David. I reckon you are spot on. For a lot of us competitions most certainly are the main game even though we like to pretend they aren't. It would still be nice though if there was a uniform set of rules that were easy to understand. I don't really have a problem with well set out rules (even though I have a bit of a whinge from time to time). If you dislike them enough you don't enter - simple. It's the fact that they can be a bit obscure at times that is a problem.

[Heather]

You make some very persuasive points David.

I'd still argue that I don't write for competitions - but, I do hold what I consider my better ones for the competitions. The challenge to improve my writing is to challenge myself. I've always done that in anything I do, not just writing poetry. I'm not trying to impress anyone else when I write a poem. But, that said, it is nice to win something, to test myself against other poets and I do look at what other poets do and learn from them. Let's face it, we are proud of our poems and there's a teeny bit of ego in all of us.

I realise that my poetry is a bit different to most bush poets and I don't expect to win a bush poetry competition because of that. My only aim is for the judges to appreciate something a little bit different and if I only get in the top 10 (which I can usually do), I'm achieving something. (Not only a control freak Roboo, but a rebel at heart!)

I also think we like to leave a little bit of ourselves in this world when we leave it and as writers we are fortunate that we can do that with our writing. That's where publishing and possibly competitions come into play.

One of my poems is about to be published for the first time (in a book) in the 2012 anthology of winning poems and stories. Of course I'm pleased to have my poem published, but I'm particuarly thrilled that my poem will be in the same book as poems by Terry Piggott and Mal McLean amongst others. That's pretty special to me.

Heather

[Maureen K Clifford]

Good on you Heather - fine company you're keeping these days Some excellent points raised and most of them I would agree with. Probably the one that might be true for most of us is that we won't become famouse until we are dead I can live with that.

However do totally agree that one set of rules across the board could not but be a wonderful thing - everyone then would be comparing apples with apples as it were and everyone who entered comps would know beyond a shadow of a doubt where they stood with poems they wished to enter.

Just plain bloody common sense really isn't it although seems some have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

Cheers

Maureen

[Glenny Palmer]

....Cripes...I've been a grumpy old chook, eh? But I'm better now!... I suppose what it really comes down to is that we really each should let the organisers know if something doesn't seem to be working for us. If they get enough feedback on it they may be far more inclined to actually revisit their stated conditions productively. Perhaps a combination of both?...our direct feedback & a nudge from our association?
Cheeers........

[Zondrae]

G;day all,

The main reason that I have and will enter competitions it to prove to myself that I am not wasting trees.That is that my poetry is well written and has something to say. Often it is just my observations on life or retelling some event. Other times it is to document some old saying, game or task that I fear may die out completely. Some of my poems touch the heart and I hope some of them raise a smile. While ever I am able to get up on stage and get accepted for festivals I will continue to do what I do. I know I am not as good a writer as many and certainly not up there with the top performers.

A lady touched my elbow in the supermarket and asked if I was the person who did that lovely poem at the Bulli festival. That is enough kudos for the performance area and the odd 'Commended' or even a place in a written comp, at least once in a while, satisfies the writing. I don't think that not achieving would stop me writing now that I have begun. ... Now I'm off to do my homework for IBP, this week we have a free topic. Think I will write about clouds. I might even post it later if it turns out OK.

[Glenny Palmer]

Goodonya Zondrae! Well I happen to think you are a very elegant performer....so there!

[Zondrae]

Thanks Glenny

for your kind words. It means a lot to me to have a writer and performer of your stature saying I'm OK.
I have a chance to ring a little change in a competition (for this year at least). I have been asked to look after the written poetry competition at the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival. There are two 'adult' sections. The rule You may be interested in Glenny is that 'co authors' will be allowed as long as both authors names are on the entry form. Also for section 4 of the comp. verse 'other than rhyming' will be allowed. I figured that the number one prize goes to the Bush Poetry and this additional prize could have a broader range. This way more of the writers in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra will be included and hopefully bring in some much needed finances for the festival. Details will be in the next ABPA mag and on the site as soon as I get the final nod. Comp is not til October anyway. I have also included sections for children.

[Robyn]

Apart from being a good place for writers to test themselves, written competitions are also a good place for performers to source new poems!