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Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "On Reviewing Poetry"Essays from FanStory Members on Reviewing
63 total reviews
Comment from robina1978
Glad I found one by you on reviewing. Is a hot item amongst us at the moment. What you write here is so true. Well written with good tips to the reviewer.
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2012
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Glad I found one by you on reviewing. Is a hot item amongst us at the moment. What you write here is so true. Well written with good tips to the reviewer.
Comment Written 11-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 11-Jan-2012
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Thanks so much, Ine - glad you found this useful :-) Brooke
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Yes, I did. Mainly for others as I kind of know the rules.
Comment from c_lucas
You have proven yourself as the Mistress of the Quill. These do's and don't would give courage to anyone who want to start reviewing poetry. Very good job.
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2009
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You have proven yourself as the Mistress of the Quill. These do's and don't would give courage to anyone who want to start reviewing poetry. Very good job.
Comment Written 06-Aug-2009
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2009
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Charlie, thank you!! I'm so glad you got something out of this :-) Brooke
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You're welcome. My friend says she really like your essay. She had computer problems, so I haven't found out anything more. Charlie
Comment from prodigal
You made some valid points in this essay. I often use vowel rhymes. I am glad that some, most even understand that. You make another strong point about docking because of omission. How in the world are you supposed to know what everyone wants to hear in your poem. I have had this happen to me. This the first essay I have read from you, and I must say I found it easy to follow, very informative and relevant. Well done- Sam
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2009
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You made some valid points in this essay. I often use vowel rhymes. I am glad that some, most even understand that. You make another strong point about docking because of omission. How in the world are you supposed to know what everyone wants to hear in your poem. I have had this happen to me. This the first essay I have read from you, and I must say I found it easy to follow, very informative and relevant. Well done- Sam
Comment Written 18-Mar-2009
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2009
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Sam, thank you!! Brooke
Comment from Twomoon
adewpearl, I SO AGREE! this was wonderful and such truth. My things I love is when someone re writes my poems to change my whole concept and create what they think makes sense to them! Arg..if we all wrote and thought the same there would be no room or place for writers or reviewers in the world! lol..poetry, I agree is a more sensitive and full of the passion of the writers soul, it is not up for change in the sense of the feelings or the impression with which it was written... poetry, to me does not need to be understood by the reader, in fact, a lot of great poetry is constantly reviewed and considered in colleges as to the thoughts and meaning behind it! What are we trying to do make everyone the same robotic thought process!! Ok, smile, you got me going on this one!! lol..I love poetry and a review should entail what they enjoyed, not how the poets should have seen it to compensate all readers. It is passion from within, and the readers job to capture and breath in the essence of that soul enjoying their expression of their inner selves. Afterall, poets are sharing a gift of self... tread gently, like fine art the soul is also fine...ok, loved your story, it is quite obvious!! haha..well, have a beautiful day, sweet soul..much love twomoon
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2008
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adewpearl, I SO AGREE! this was wonderful and such truth. My things I love is when someone re writes my poems to change my whole concept and create what they think makes sense to them! Arg..if we all wrote and thought the same there would be no room or place for writers or reviewers in the world! lol..poetry, I agree is a more sensitive and full of the passion of the writers soul, it is not up for change in the sense of the feelings or the impression with which it was written... poetry, to me does not need to be understood by the reader, in fact, a lot of great poetry is constantly reviewed and considered in colleges as to the thoughts and meaning behind it! What are we trying to do make everyone the same robotic thought process!! Ok, smile, you got me going on this one!! lol..I love poetry and a review should entail what they enjoyed, not how the poets should have seen it to compensate all readers. It is passion from within, and the readers job to capture and breath in the essence of that soul enjoying their expression of their inner selves. Afterall, poets are sharing a gift of self... tread gently, like fine art the soul is also fine...ok, loved your story, it is quite obvious!! haha..well, have a beautiful day, sweet soul..much love twomoon
Comment Written 03-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2008
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You are oh so right - how do people even have the time to write a whole new version of our poems?? I detest that. Write and post your whole damn poem if you like that way better!! LOL thanks so much, Brooke :-)
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you go girl!!! haha..have a beautiful day!!! beautiful poet!!! hugs twomoon
Comment from Sylvia Page
I like and admire your approach Brooke. I have seen a lot of what you said here. Now the question is how do I get out of this fix? How can I decide who will have my vote? Every entry to this contest is a winner.
All I can do now is wish you lots of luck and best wishes. I will have to draw lots!
Sylvia
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2008
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I like and admire your approach Brooke. I have seen a lot of what you said here. Now the question is how do I get out of this fix? How can I decide who will have my vote? Every entry to this contest is a winner.
All I can do now is wish you lots of luck and best wishes. I will have to draw lots!
Sylvia
Comment Written 01-Nov-2008
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2008
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Thanks, Sylvia - I like it when everyone does a good job. I'm a fan of figure skating and thrill at those competitions when everyone is spectacular rather than the competitions where the person who fell the fewest amount of times wins by default. Peace, Brooke : )
Comment from empire76
I found this essay particularly enjoyable to read because I am not a poet, and usually stay away from reviewing poetry especially those that are complex. When I do review poetry, it is usually those that touch me on some level, so I review based on that.
I think I The reviewer docked a star because he does not like repetition.Your essay makes me feel more confident that those kind of reviews are also helpful.
I was shocked at the point about the reviewer who docked a
star because he does not like repetition.
There always something new out there. LOL
Good luck in the contest
Empi
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2008
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I found this essay particularly enjoyable to read because I am not a poet, and usually stay away from reviewing poetry especially those that are complex. When I do review poetry, it is usually those that touch me on some level, so I review based on that.
I think I The reviewer docked a star because he does not like repetition.Your essay makes me feel more confident that those kind of reviews are also helpful.
I was shocked at the point about the reviewer who docked a
star because he does not like repetition.
There always something new out there. LOL
Good luck in the contest
Empi
Comment Written 27-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2008
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thanks so much for this supportive review - I do hope you review poetry more now that you realize there is no mystery to it! :-) Brooke
Comment from dkneale
Hi adewpearl,
This is absolutley excellant. I have very similar views, and I believe you expressed and touched on most all of them.
"Most poets, I believe, write to connect to their audience on a deeply human level, and so to know we have been "heard" makes all the difference."-Excellant
"If this does not occur, if the reviewer jumps immediately to telling me what syllable of what line of what verse was accented wrong, I go into defensive mode."-True to most I am sure...
This is a very well written and thought provoking essay...
Debra
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2008
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Hi adewpearl,
This is absolutley excellant. I have very similar views, and I believe you expressed and touched on most all of them.
"Most poets, I believe, write to connect to their audience on a deeply human level, and so to know we have been "heard" makes all the difference."-Excellant
"If this does not occur, if the reviewer jumps immediately to telling me what syllable of what line of what verse was accented wrong, I go into defensive mode."-True to most I am sure...
This is a very well written and thought provoking essay...
Debra
Comment Written 27-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 27-Oct-2008
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Thank you, Debra, it is good to know you found my essay had something significant to say. Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from joan marie
Used both my sixes on reviewing essays. Some sort of required reading should be paramount to anyone being able to review.
Boy have you got this right. I don't mind crititque notice I don't use the word critisism. I believe if someone believes there should have been more said then write their own.
I review from the heart. If there is a technical error I will mention. A lot is in how it is said. I have blocked non writer reads because of this. It saddens me because just because you don't write doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy reading it. I have muted one person due to that reviewers inability to respect my work. I have said I am not an expert on this style or form and have had no formal training. But I know what I like. If it is technically correct but I don't care for the subject I move on. Great take on a controversial subject. joan marie
reply by the author on 26-Oct-2008
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Used both my sixes on reviewing essays. Some sort of required reading should be paramount to anyone being able to review.
Boy have you got this right. I don't mind crititque notice I don't use the word critisism. I believe if someone believes there should have been more said then write their own.
I review from the heart. If there is a technical error I will mention. A lot is in how it is said. I have blocked non writer reads because of this. It saddens me because just because you don't write doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy reading it. I have muted one person due to that reviewers inability to respect my work. I have said I am not an expert on this style or form and have had no formal training. But I know what I like. If it is technically correct but I don't care for the subject I move on. Great take on a controversial subject. joan marie
Comment Written 26-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 26-Oct-2008
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oh, yeah, I blocked non writer reads ages ago and I've used all 3 mutes. Thanks for appreciating this enough to give it a 6! :-) Brooke
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You deserved it. I have a problem with neighbor over turning down bass on music. Told me to go to Hell. I called the cops. He tried to register complaint because I feed the lake animals. The cop laughed said you live on a lake! What happened to respect and consideration and neighborly conduct? I offered him opportunity to talk with police there he refused. But guess who was ringing my bell as soon as they left? Called and made phone report. I never even filed a complaint. Not when dog destroyed garden, or child gives me the finger, or kids friend driving car up my driveway and through my front yard. I had had enough. Cops say if loud enough to hear from inside house to outside in road it is too loud. Course it depends on what cop you get. Need to date a lawyer. LOL jm
Comment from EllieKaye
I was almost afraid to read this one! (Know why?) I so admire your poetry, and find it to be of a high caliber and quality. Usually, when I review I give examples or share why I liked it. This is especially easy to do after reading your poems. You always seem to trigger a thought or two. After reading this piece, I find that we writers are so very much alike in our feelings and in the reasons we write. I'll continue to read your writing and I don't feel quite so worried now about the correct way to go about reviewing. Very well done, my friend.
: ) Ellie
reply by the author on 26-Oct-2008
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I was almost afraid to read this one! (Know why?) I so admire your poetry, and find it to be of a high caliber and quality. Usually, when I review I give examples or share why I liked it. This is especially easy to do after reading your poems. You always seem to trigger a thought or two. After reading this piece, I find that we writers are so very much alike in our feelings and in the reasons we write. I'll continue to read your writing and I don't feel quite so worried now about the correct way to go about reviewing. Very well done, my friend.
: ) Ellie
Comment Written 26-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 26-Oct-2008
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Yes, to me the reviewers hung up on the correct way are the ones who spend so much time counting syllables and checking capital letters that they forget to feel the poem - I'd much rather have a non-expert give me some honest thoughts! Thank you so much, Brooke :-)
Comment from pixiemillie
A very honest read from the humble beginning to the end. You are right on so many points in this post. People responding to the poem is more important than whether or not they actually agreed with it. Pointing out near rhymes, poor choice of words without bother to question a use is difficult to take when no other comments are made.
This line is so true:"Poetry is not an intellectual exercise in meeting the challenges of a form. It is using a form that allows the words to sing."
In the next paragraph you speak of criticizing a post because of its necessary repetition in keeping with the format of a certain type poem. Not taking the time to read what the format is or should be displays a certain ignorance on the part of the reviewer. A haiku I wrote recieved the criticism that what I had was nice but should have been longer and more in depth- -EXCUSE ME- -this is a haiku.
I sometimes use near rhymes as well and have been criticized for this. Sometimes this is necessary as a support to the piece or to prevent what some may call contrived.
Your paragraph on adding to someone's piece should also be well-taken as there are a few reviewers who take a section of a poem and re-write it stating they think it works better than the original. I had written a very short piece about a pup and was told it didn't go into enough detail about the antics of the pup. HELLOOOOO, it said what I intended, there was nothing more I felt I needed to add.
Your 'ideas' in this piece are definitely loud and clear. Your last paragraph sums up the essay very well in the lines:
"you are reviewing the person who composed them. Honest criticism makes us better writers, but honesty tempered with a human touch is never too much to ask."
Very well written, concise and to the point.
One question:
As a poet, the first thing I respond to on a visceral level when reading a review(,) is if the reviewer seems to have "gotten" what I had to say.(Should there be a comma here? If not, I have no criticism of this easy to read/understand piece. Also know that I do have a tendency to overuse commas, which is why many of my postings have no punctuation)
Thank you so much for this post.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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A very honest read from the humble beginning to the end. You are right on so many points in this post. People responding to the poem is more important than whether or not they actually agreed with it. Pointing out near rhymes, poor choice of words without bother to question a use is difficult to take when no other comments are made.
This line is so true:"Poetry is not an intellectual exercise in meeting the challenges of a form. It is using a form that allows the words to sing."
In the next paragraph you speak of criticizing a post because of its necessary repetition in keeping with the format of a certain type poem. Not taking the time to read what the format is or should be displays a certain ignorance on the part of the reviewer. A haiku I wrote recieved the criticism that what I had was nice but should have been longer and more in depth- -EXCUSE ME- -this is a haiku.
I sometimes use near rhymes as well and have been criticized for this. Sometimes this is necessary as a support to the piece or to prevent what some may call contrived.
Your paragraph on adding to someone's piece should also be well-taken as there are a few reviewers who take a section of a poem and re-write it stating they think it works better than the original. I had written a very short piece about a pup and was told it didn't go into enough detail about the antics of the pup. HELLOOOOO, it said what I intended, there was nothing more I felt I needed to add.
Your 'ideas' in this piece are definitely loud and clear. Your last paragraph sums up the essay very well in the lines:
"you are reviewing the person who composed them. Honest criticism makes us better writers, but honesty tempered with a human touch is never too much to ask."
Very well written, concise and to the point.
One question:
As a poet, the first thing I respond to on a visceral level when reading a review(,) is if the reviewer seems to have "gotten" what I had to say.(Should there be a comma here? If not, I have no criticism of this easy to read/understand piece. Also know that I do have a tendency to overuse commas, which is why many of my postings have no punctuation)
Thank you so much for this post.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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No, I would not put a comma there. But I think we can disagree on that one and remain friends. LOL I've had people - not too often, mind you, rewrite my entire damn poem!! How insulting is that. If they want to write a poem, they should write one and post it! Yeah, twice I've had people want me to add two more lines to the couplet at the end of a sonnet so all the verses would have the same number of lines. The list of silly things goes on and on.
Just yesterday a guy wanted me to turn my alphabet poems into whole verses. He can write about animals in whole verses - be my guest! Good thing 90% or more of reviews are sane and kind :-) Of course, some people go in the other direction of saying nothing - just - nice poem, liked it. And then they cut and paste the poem onto the review so they don't have to write more - wanna guess if they actually read it? LOL People are strange. Thanks so much for your most interesting observations. Brooke :-)
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One errant comma does not a friendship break :+)
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Heck, I'll throw in a few errant commas and still bet on the friendship! LOL
