How To Raise An Over-Achiever
When exceptional is all that's good enough51 total reviews
Comment from MissMerri
This is a super entry in this fun contest. I get a picture of a family full of super-achievers where it was simply expected that family members would excel in all endeavors. Very nicely done with rhyme and a solid meter. I enjoyed it.
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
  |
This is a super entry in this fun contest. I get a picture of a family full of super-achievers where it was simply expected that family members would excel in all endeavors. Very nicely done with rhyme and a solid meter. I enjoyed it.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
Coming from the queen of perfect meter (I did keep you in mind as I wrote it, MissMerri; I'm serious!), that is the ultimate compliment! And your assessment of the Saxman Family is right on the money. Thanks for the perfect review, you little over-achiever!
Comment from Heather Knight
It must be very stressful to belong to this family. A lot of pressure.
One question: did you write excellence without the e on purpose?
Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
It must be very stressful to belong to this family. A lot of pressure.
One question: did you write excellence without the e on purpose?
Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
Yes, because my family's last name doesn't have an 'e' there. But thank you for the catch, all the same. I do appreciate your having my back like that, Maria.
Comment from Wabigoon
I like this. I am not sure whether it meets the contest requirements. Nor am I sure what alphabet has to do with family. Well, I tried my best! I do note, however, none of the Super Heroes, maybe one is a Super Villain? have lower bodies beneath the table. That's what I'd probably write about. Most of our doing our best does involve cutting that "lower half" away.
Thanks
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
 |
I like this. I am not sure whether it meets the contest requirements. Nor am I sure what alphabet has to do with family. Well, I tried my best! I do note, however, none of the Super Heroes, maybe one is a Super Villain? have lower bodies beneath the table. That's what I'd probably write about. Most of our doing our best does involve cutting that "lower half" away.
Thanks
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
The alphabet part is because the acrostic is supposed to spell out your family's name. And from that, you make the poem. So, it 100 percent meets the contest requirements.
Thanks for the review.
Comment from Hayley Zemontas
This poem seems light and easy reading at first, but then when I read it again I actually felt sadness for the character whose life is portrayed within the words. It sounds like someone who is under so much pressure and cannot be themselves for fear of letting their family down. That is awful. Nobody is perfect and whilst striving for success and good, hard work is positive, putting someone under so much pressure to be the best. I like how you managed to encapsulate a serious subject within a poem that outwardly seems quite simple. 'Enough's not enough'. Such a powerful line. I truly hope this isn't written from personal experience but if so, I hope you found the strength to be who you are and realised that constant perfection is impossible. That doesn't diminish who you are as a human being x
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
This poem seems light and easy reading at first, but then when I read it again I actually felt sadness for the character whose life is portrayed within the words. It sounds like someone who is under so much pressure and cannot be themselves for fear of letting their family down. That is awful. Nobody is perfect and whilst striving for success and good, hard work is positive, putting someone under so much pressure to be the best. I like how you managed to encapsulate a serious subject within a poem that outwardly seems quite simple. 'Enough's not enough'. Such a powerful line. I truly hope this isn't written from personal experience but if so, I hope you found the strength to be who you are and realised that constant perfection is impossible. That doesn't diminish who you are as a human being x
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
You are astute and perceptive, Hayley. You totally got the undertow to this seemingly simply poem. I want to make you an Honorary Saxman!! (but I like you too much, so stay a Zemontas!) Thank you for this perfect review.
-
Unfortunately I have had the experience too of feeling not enough for some members of the family and feeling like I am always criticised. It?s very demeaning and hurtful but I have learned to try and let it go over my head now because I know it?s their problem not mine and thankfully I have many family members too who are incredibly supportive and love me unconditionally so it?s not all bad. But I truly empathise because it?s exhausting being under constant pressure to achieve and be the best. You are enough, remember that. Thanks for sharing this with us x
Comment from Coco Jane
Whew! This poem is exhausting! Soooo much pressure on a child!
Is this what you intended to convey--a pushy parent who will accept nothing less than perfection from children? Some of the advice is good (e.g. Make the most of every day"), but its sheer volume seems to be overwhelming. Is that what you were going for?
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
Whew! This poem is exhausting! Soooo much pressure on a child!
Is this what you intended to convey--a pushy parent who will accept nothing less than perfection from children? Some of the advice is good (e.g. Make the most of every day"), but its sheer volume seems to be overwhelming. Is that what you were going for?
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
Yes! And because I'm such an over-achiever, Jane, I succeeded. (That's supposed to amuse you, not sound snarky...)
I would call the parents more relentless than pushy. But the overwhelming part was right on the money.
Thanks for your astute and perceptive review. As an aspiring writer, it's always nice to be understood for what I put out there.
Comment from LG Wolfe
Haha, this describes most of the parents around me.
Vivid - everything is vivid. Your use of the Marvel characters - I can hear them in my head. The personification of Failure. The words themselves - so pounding. The setting - so colourful. Well done.
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
Haha, this describes most of the parents around me.
Vivid - everything is vivid. Your use of the Marvel characters - I can hear them in my head. The personification of Failure. The words themselves - so pounding. The setting - so colourful. Well done.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
Thank you. That's a really nice way to put it: vivid. I like that a lot. This review is awesome.
Comment from Tina Crute
This both good technically...love the acrostic...and theme-wise. You are reciting the motto of an overachiever for sure, because no one's perfect.
You did it spot-on, as I know some overachievers, and they cannot do mediocre! The picture is genius:) I love the whole construction of this, the words, the rhythm, and the feel.
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
This both good technically...love the acrostic...and theme-wise. You are reciting the motto of an overachiever for sure, because no one's perfect.
You did it spot-on, as I know some overachievers, and they cannot do mediocre! The picture is genius:) I love the whole construction of this, the words, the rhythm, and the feel.
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
I think I made my family proud, what you do say, Tina? hahaha
Thank you for this really nice review. I appreciate it very much.
-
Haha...I say keep up the good work!:)
-
Hahahaha. Thanks!!
-
:)
Comment from kiwijenny
Did this mean to be an acrostic? If it did who is SAXMAN ?
I was raised this way...but also developed the ability to laugh because that's necessary when Dad gets on to you for a 99%in math with HOW COULD YOU MISS ONE?
I decided math wasn't my subject...
God bless
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
Did this mean to be an acrostic? If it did who is SAXMAN ?
I was raised this way...but also developed the ability to laugh because that's necessary when Dad gets on to you for a 99%in math with HOW COULD YOU MISS ONE?
I decided math wasn't my subject...
God bless
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
The prompt was to use your family's last name as the Acrostic and then describe their qualities.
-
Oh then it?s awesome
Comment from Ogden
Yes, it's good practice to set kids' standards early, to encourage excellence. I also agree that it's best not to let others drink from your cup - especially Failure.
(It might have been easier writing in this contest to have settled for 'Sacksman.')
Good luck!
Don
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
Yes, it's good practice to set kids' standards early, to encourage excellence. I also agree that it's best not to let others drink from your cup - especially Failure.
(It might have been easier writing in this contest to have settled for 'Sacksman.')
Good luck!
Don
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
My family would disown for that heresy, Ogden. You wouldn't want that for me, now would you?!
Thank you for your lovely review.
-
You're welcome to the review, and no, I wouldn't like that to happen to you. I'm very much against disownership.
:o)
Don
-
PHEW!!!
Comment from l.raven
some very good advice in your poem...always go forward...
and do your very best...you can't go wrong...I love your poem...and the picture...perfect...very well written message...love Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
|
some very good advice in your poem...always go forward...
and do your very best...you can't go wrong...I love your poem...and the picture...perfect...very well written message...love Linda xxoo
Comment Written 10-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 10-Apr-2019
-
thank you, Linda. I'm so glad you liked it. I appreciate your review very much.
-
your soooo very welcome...xxoo love
