Original Poetry Forums

Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

08-11-2010 at 11:48:01 PM

Sticky:POSTING!

This is a perfect example why OP needs to publish
more than just one book per year, maybe compilations, and individuals,
there is plenty of room for all of us, no one needs to leave.

Or here this a reader can select poems for their own book,
their favorite poems/poets, so there is no crying, and let the
numbers do the talking instead of great people walking.

Like the school of poetry.
There are numberous outlets.
If you all start believing, and listen, most people would stay.
How many poets from Vol 1 are active?
There are more questions that can be raised to that one,
but lets see where you think Ill go with that.

Anyways, no matter,, I'll be Slinging poems to the Day
I am called home, drink beer with Emily D.
And play checkers with Poe, yep....

WS

PS
Books are not the only thing that poems can be printed on.

PS2
What About Bob?

08-12-2010 at 12:27:55 AM

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

That's great for those who are welcome in school of poetry... but what about those who don't partake in those classes. Do those individuals have the same shot as others at the contests on this site? I often wonder with the thousands upon thousands of poets on this site, who enter the weekly contests... how do they narrow down the decision as to which one will be declared the winner? That's always had my curiousity -- I would never say that there was a bad poem picked as the weekly winner... but sometimes when I read the work of the weekly winner, I see others in that poets own collection that surpasses their own poem that won ----- but ofcourse that is only my opinion. Not always, just often, always leaves me pondering how the OP narrows down such tough decisions....as to who the weekly winner is.

08-12-2010 at 12:33:55 AM

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Charlie, Im sorry I meant that the teachings in the school can be published also.
Ok like our favorite mode here on OP, say I have 100, ok click publish to book,
it sends a signal to the OP press section, and bammmm 2 weeks I have a book,
of poems that I love, the site gets theirs and the poets get theirs.
I have a poem of yours in favs, so bammmm you are a published poet.
There can be a stat section showing who is published, and what poems,
to how many books.
It really is a win win situation.

I can't answer the other questions Pac-Man can.



Last edited by WordSlinger 08-12-2010 at 12:41:19 AM

08-12-2010 at 12:43:41 AM

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

I always consider myself published the minute I post online. Although, when I see my poems in a book, I would like for it to be an anthology of great ones, or other winning poems ----- or a collection of my own, which I somehow managed to hold onto without first publishing online. A collection of faves could certainly make for an interesting book of poems, but I think then you'd have all kinds of people running around wanting to know if the check's in the mail.... because their poem is in a book ------- probably best to just publish the winning poems in books.

08-12-2010 at 08:32:29 AM

Sticky

Charlie,
there are systems that can handle that type of business, like paypal.
I guess you can call it a custom book, user selection.
This site is still in it's baby steps.

Dah,
we appreciate you sticking up for us, me and Maddi talked about this, we think it's interesting that Gereg is new but he knows so much about the whole site.
I can show you three poets that are killers with the pen, and no one comments on them,
so there is little surfaced scratched.
And also there are many that think the way he does, there has to be
a medium to where all is happy.
Oh thanks for adding us back, good ships, sail on. smile

Gereg,
there are thousands of poetry lovers here, by you leaving, and not posting,
doesn't that minimize a fan base.
I have a question do you like Kahil Gibran, if you do,
Isn’t one of his lines, is to take the stumbling stones out of the way in the path of the youth.
So by not helping, isn’t that a perfect example why we are in one hell of a mess, is because our elders,
Don’t frakin care. If I had half of your knowledge on things, I wouldn’t be selfish.
I really hope it isn’t hard for you to smile.

Pac-Man,
If there needs to be additional help for a mass production of editing, book publishing,
Let me know, I have a little army of webmasters, that would help/volunteer at first, to get
Something of an engine running, look at café press and sites like that that are successful,
All these are just ideas, and you have plenty of more I have sent to you, and OP

08-12-2010 at 09:02:49 AM
  • Gereg
  • Gereg
  • Posts: 10

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Truth to tell, I don't really care for Kahlil Gibran; but your point is taken. (My taste runs more to Frost, Rumi, Charles Williams, Shakespeare, Byron, the unknown poet who wrote Beowulf, the Pearl Poet who composed "Gawain and the Green Knight", Yeats, Chaucer, Hopkins, some of the ancient Chinese and Japanese poets, Tom Waits and e.e. cummings.)

Well, I still haven't found out how to delete my profile - I'm much better with older technology than modern (a good guitar, a good sword, a good Irish whistle are about my comfortable limit; and you should have seen how long it took me to muster the courage to conquer my fairly simple recording software so I can get to work on making a disc of a few of my songs). So I'm not gone yet, although I've got a query in with the site management as to how to delete my profile.
But the issue of available time vs. probable mutual benefit is a legitimate one. I regret that it seems selfish to you; but consider it in this light: if I can contribute something, that's good, but if I contribute without receiving something I value equally in return (be it money, criticism that helps me, whatever...) then I'd simply be draining a resource of which no one has an unlimited supply. And as noted, I've got a LOT of projects going. (I didn't even get into the subject of my martial arts school, which used to provide my prime income... and the work of trying to rebuild it in the current state of the economy... nor the time it takes a 55-year-old man to keep his technique clean and growing.)

On another note, I believe it was you who suggested that books of poetry could earn the poets some money. It is my understanding that poetry almost never provides anyone with a significant amount of income. There are very, very few professional poets today - usually they earn their living teaching, or doing something more prosaic (Robert Frost ran a farm for much of his life).
Take care.

08-12-2010 at 09:35:45 AM

RE: RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gereg

Well, I still haven't found out how to delete my profile - I'm much better with older technology than modern (a good guitar, a good sword, a good Irish whistle are about

On another note, I believe it was you who suggested that books of poetry could earn the poets some money. It is my understanding that poetry almost never provides anyone with a significant amount of income. There are very, very few professional poets today - usually they earn their living teaching, or doing something more prosaic (Robert Frost ran a farm for much of his life).
Take care.


You just need to contact support. Although feel free to change your mind and stick around. We don't like seeing people go.

As for making money off books...unless you hit the NY Times best seller, even the best authors only make around $15,000 off a book. That's why you see so many write dozens. Most don't even make a thousand. Its a tough world. Very competitive.

I tend to think that if you want to make money off poetry, you're almost better off complimenting it with art/drawings/paintings. Footsteps has made a fortune, and I think mainly because you can walk into a hallmark shop, see a really nice poster, and hang it on your wall.

A niche needs a niche?

-Papa Paczki

08-12-2010 at 11:12:10 AM

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Gereg,

My assessment of your personality in Forum was all I had to refer to since you were so clear that you are above this site that means the world to aspiring poets who only have this place as an outlet for their passion, hobby, or craft. Poets, such as you and I, who are on a higher plane of writing, expression, and metaphorical language, if we are to exist here, should carry on as mentors, guides, and friends, to enhance their self-esteem.

Helping people to become better at writing (doesn't matter if they suck or not) increases my contentment and fuels my spiritual fire, as I am happy to guide them into what they really want to say or express.

OP member Aria is one poet who cannot thank me enough for being here and for pushing her
in a direction of writing that she only dreamed of reaching before coming here a year ago.
Read "discarded pages" in my portfolio.

As a new poet to this site, to come on in a manner like you have serves no purpose, and it disturbs me that you have no awareness of this.

A lot of poets were insulted and heated-up over your post, emailing me, asking what I thought.

As you were being honest with "your perspective" about the site, I was honest in my assessment of your personality as it was laid-out before me.

Now that you have pounded on your chest, and me on mine, show me some poems that I can read that will excite me, as I am sure a poet of your background can do because to leave this site after coming on so discordantly also serves no purpose, not even for you.

And like yourself, I have been published in many anthologies and periodicals, have collected awards, and a collection of my work will be published in three weeks by Stillpoint Publishing, Spokane, Washington, and between you and I: What's it all mean?

Because it's neither good nor bad, it simply is what it is.

Peace and Light,
dah

Last edited by dahlusion 08-12-2010 at 11:52:40 AM

08-12-2010 at 03:37:20 PM

Sticky:

I just want to add that its not about the money, it's about availability.
Books, Posters, Plaques whatever we can dream.
Because there are a lot of great poems, and poets on this site.
Like my friend Mike flyfisher, he has an amazing poem, that I'd love to have
a poster by, to frame and hook to a wall.
Money pays bills like internet fees, child support, good food, to write good poetry,
it has to go hand in hand, it's not selling out.
Claiming territory maybe, because in 50 years,
public domain shall vulture insane, and if money is an issue, then donate it.
I just think that we can make a difference, and i also think that
these posting should add fuel to the fire,
BTW, Madelynn gets asked, where can we buy your book,
can I have your autograph, things like that.
I witness this stuff.
In 10 years OP will be a force to reckon with.
Look out for us, believe that, and you younger poets need to
understand that this site is continent, not a little island.
Does any of my postings make any sense?
I guess I have a different vision, lol,
I am guessing here, but if OP 3.0 is what I think it will be,
You all are in for a treat, I also know where a flood gate is,
To get more readers, and poets here,
shhh
be beary quite

Oh thanks for the great posts

WS

08-12-2010 at 03:48:56 PM

RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

LOL.......hey, where my signed copy.......roflol........teasing........great idea...loves ya asha

09-07-2010 at 06:32:54 PM

RE: RE: Sticky: havnt heard of you or your mother but have heard of Mark Twain

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gereg

Okay, I'm probably not going to make any friends with this, but what I want to know is, why is the quality of poetry here so generally low, and what criteria are used for determining the weekly winners?
Please understand my background. I was brought up reading poetry. My mother was a teacher, as was her father. My sister is a Classics professor. Some of my own poetry has been published. One contributing poet I respect highly, JLorian, attracted me here. (I'd follow that lady's work almost anywhere.) But when she won the other week, it was with a poem she doesn't think is particularly good herself. And I have to agree, it's a far cry from her best work.
Overall, I see strained metre and bad rhyme in the formal verses being contributed - in the cases when they even stay consistent as "formal verse" from start to finish, which wasn't the case in a recent winner. I see emotional self-indulgence and no artistic discipline in practically everything.
I think this site has the potential to be a significant voice in poetry today. And it seems to me that's being thrown away.
Art is more than passion: it's the discipline of craft blended with the creative fire. Without that balance, without that discipline, what passes for poetry is just lines that don't reach the right-hand margin.
So... where are the standards? And what can be done to raise them?

09-24-2010 at 12:48:10 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grito

I have to thank you Paczki, I have written and posted many poems in Spanish here.


&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Muchas gracias, Grito. Me gusta leer muchisimo tus poemas, muy excitantes.
Yo no puedo componer poemas en espanol. No tengo bastante la cultura de ritmo et cetera ..............(Sonrisas) LOLcheesegrinsmileconfusedtongue laughLOL

09-24-2010 at 12:48:10 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grito

I have to thank you Paczki, I have written and posted many poems in Spanish here.


&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Muchas gracias, Grito. Me gusta leer muchisimo tus poemas, muy excitantes.
Yo no puedo componer poemas en espanol. No tengo bastante la cultura de ritmo et cetera ..............(Sonrisas) LOLcheesegrinsmileconfusedtongue laughLOL

Last edited by cousinsoren 09-24-2010 at 12:49:14 PM

09-24-2010 at 01:07:11 PM

RE: RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gereg

Yes, it's true; I am a walking palindrome.
I admit I have looked at little more here than the entries in the weekly contest, and a few other works of the writers who entered pieces. But practically none of what I've seen so far - including the winning pieces - has been of publishable quality.in traditional poetry publications. And that disturbs me.
Which leads me again to the question: who decides the winning pieces? According to what criteria? And - my chorus - what can be done to raise the standards?


####################################################################]
Gereg, I agree with you that the judging of the Weekly Contest needs re-regulating .

I disagree here with you, Gereg.on the matter of poetic quality on the OP site. . There are some excellent "publishable" pieces: and winners appearing on the OP site. Look closer. We must bear in mind ,also that it is poets, even from the days of the Greeks, who consciously or unconsciously determine poetic forms and genres , for each age, and not the other way around. As a matter of fact, it is impracticable to try to judge modern poetry with traditional yardstick or balance-scales. . In fact, though it is feasible for contemporary poets to study the traditional forms and the formS for each age,and treasure them, it is not incumbent to adhere to these forms. For the vitality of poetry to be maintained, each age must explore its own.. .

09-24-2010 at 01:07:12 PM

RE: RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gereg

Yes, it's true; I am a walking palindrome.
I admit I have looked at little more here than the entries in the weekly contest, and a few other works of the writers who entered pieces. But practically none of what I've seen so far - including the winning pieces - has been of publishable quality.in traditional poetry publications. And that disturbs me.
Which leads me again to the question: who decides the winning pieces? According to what criteria? And - my chorus - what can be done to raise the standards?


####################################################################]
Gereg, I agree with you that the judging of the Weekly Contest needs re-regulating .

I disagree here with you, Gereg.on the matter of poetic quality on the OP site. . There are some excellent "publishable" pieces: and winners appearing on the OP site. Look closer. We must bear in mind ,also that it is poets, even from the days of the Greeks, who consciously or unconsciously determine poetic forms and genres , for each age, and not the other way around. As a matter of fact, it is impracticable to try to judge modern poetry with traditional yardstick or balance-scales. . In fact, though it is feasible for contemporary poets to study the traditional forms and the forms for each age,and treasure them, it is not incumbent to adhere to these forms. For the vitality of poetry to be maintained, each age must explore its own.. .

Last edited by cousinsoren 09-24-2010 at 01:09:26 PM

09-24-2010 at 01:29:16 PM

RE: RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aria

I have found OP to be like a home with many rooms where friends often gather. Some of my friends have better conversational skills, some are deep thinkers, some are romantics and some are incredibly great poets. You will find the poets here who speak to you, in your language and I would encourage you to stay and visit for awhile before dismissing the site. Just like life, you will find people who speak the same language as you. I do not consider your post arrogant at all, I consider it fair comment from a poet new to the site. I welcome you to OP.

*************************************************************************************************************

Aria, I am greatly pleased with these consoling advice you offer here to our new friend, Gereg. I am glad that he has realized that he can freely criticize, without fear of acrimony towards him. In fact anything he has to say ( as long as it is free of invective, insult or rancour) is welcome. I hope he will quickly recognize that the OP site is a sort of family to all of us, young, old,able and disabled, talented or untalented , experienced or inexperienced. .............LOL..........and we have complete faith in our moderator, Papa, our administrators and our judges. That does not mean that we will refrain from critiquing them, as well as our fellow poets.,as we are always seeking improvements for the common good of all. In my thinking, every poet on OP is a student of poetry, as in order to grow , we learn everyday. Therefore criticism must be constructive and specific in order to help each of us to be a better poet.

Last edited by cousinsoren 09-24-2010 at 01:29:53 PM

09-24-2010 at 01:37:53 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:37:56 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:37:57 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:38:00 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:38:06 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:38:07 PM

RE: Re: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by linlee

Does anyone here know how to put poems up with spaces between the stanzas? I can't seem to get anything to work, so now I just print (space) between my stanzas. It's not great, but it works. I'd much rather be able to actually have spaces. Please help me if you can.

linlee cool smirk


All you need to do,is click "Edit" and adjust the stanzas. Cool runnun's

09-24-2010 at 01:41:48 PM

RE: Sticky:POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by WordSlinger

This is a perfect example why OP needs to publish
more than just one book per year, maybe compilations, and individuals,
there is plenty of room for all of us, no one needs to leave.

Or here this a reader can select poems for their own book,
their favorite poems/poets, so there is no crying, and let the
numbers do the talking instead of great people walking.

Like the school of poetry.
There are numberous outlets.


###################################################################

Hey, John.

I like what you say here, Nice driving. ....................LOL
If you all start believing, and listen, most people would stay.
How many poets from Vol 1 are active?
There are more questions that can be raised to that one,
but lets see where you think Ill go with that.

Anyways, no matter,, I'll be Slinging poems to the Day
I am called home, drink beer with Emily D.
And play checkers with Poe, yep....

WS

PS
Books are not the only thing that poems can be printed on.

PS2
What About Bob?

09-24-2010 at 01:41:49 PM

RE: Sticky:POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by WordSlinger

This is a perfect example why OP needs to publish
more than just one book per year, maybe compilations, and individuals,
there is plenty of room for all of us, no one needs to leave.

Or here this a reader can select poems for their own book,
their favorite poems/poets, so there is no crying, and let the
numbers do the talking instead of great people walking.

Like the school of poetry.
There are numberous outlets.


###################################################################

Hey, John.

I like what you say here, Nice driving. ....................LOL
If you all start believing, and listen, most people would stay.
How many poets from Vol 1 are active?
There are more questions that can be raised to that one,
but lets see where you think Ill go with that.

Anyways, no matter,, I'll be Slinging poems to the Day
I am called home, drink beer with Emily D.
And play checkers with Poe, yep....

WS

PS
Books are not the only thing that poems can be printed on.

PS2
What About Bob?

09-24-2010 at 01:47:31 PM

RE: RE: Sticky: READ BEFORE POSTING!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gereg

Truth to tell, I don't really care for Kahlil Gibran; but your point is taken. (My taste runs more to Frost, Rumi, Charles Williams, Shakespeare, Byron, the unknown poet who wrote Beowulf, the Pearl Poet who composed "Gawain and the Green Knight", Yeats, Chaucer, Hopkins, some of the ancient Chinese and Japanese poets, Tom Waits and e.e. cummings.)

Well, I still haven't found out how to delete my profile - I'm much better with older technology than modern (a good guitar, a good sword, a good Irish whistle are about my comfortable limit; and you should have seen how long it took me to muster the courage to conquer my fairly simple recording software so I can get to work on making a disc of a few of my songs). So I'm not gone yet, although I've got a query in with the site management as to how to delete my profile.
But the issue of available time vs. probable mutual benefit is a legitimate one. I regret that it seems selfish to you; but consider it in this light: if I can contribute something, that's good, but if I contribute without receiving something I value equally in return (be it money, criticism that helps me, whatever...) then I'd simply be draining a resource of which no one has an unlimited supply. And as noted, I've got a LOT of projects going. (I didn't even get into the subject of my martial arts school, which used to provide my prime income... and the work of trying to rebuild it in the current state of the economy... nor the time it takes a 55-year-old man to keep his technique clean and growing.)

On another note, I believe it was you who suggested that books of poetry could earn the poets some money. It is my understanding that poetry almost never provides anyone with a significant amount of income. There are very, very few professional poets today - usually they earn their living teaching, or doing something more prosaic (Robert Frost ran a farm for much of his life).
Take care.


You forgot to mention Chaucer's Pornographic poetry, Gereg. Chaucer is celebrated as the Father of English poetry, not Beowulf.......................LOL

Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion.

T. S. Eliot (1888-1965) American-English poet and playwright.