07-09-2016, 10:00 AM
(07-08-2016, 10:37 AM)shemthepenman Wrote: [quote='lizziep' pid='213029' dateline='1467925896']Ok, Shem. I do agree that it's not the end of the world to make a change and then go back on it. Yes, I'm too nervous of a person, a little bit of a control freak. But egotistical? Get serious.
I'd feel like my poem was not my own if I did this. I've certainly made changes I didn't like in order to make a poem better, but I have to agree that it will in some way better the outcome before I launch into a change. Sometimes I have a hard time re-conceptualizing in order to make edits and I can't do them eternally.
i don't even see how the sentimental or egotistical connection to the poem should get in the way of what is a [hypothetically] infinitely changeable product. and this applies in Rowen's case, as well. to me, liking the faults in your poem and making edits on a website forum are not mutually exclusive concepts, as far as i'm concerned. you can do both. you can write a poem with the spelling all wrong, like it, post it, get told the spelling is all wrong, like the fact the spelling is all wrong but post an edit with the spelling corrected, anyway. you've lost nothing. you may have even gained something. a slightly less shit poem.
I'm here to learn. I need to understand why changes need to be made and how they would effect the outcome before I launch into a revision (especially if it's a significant one that requires a hefty re-write).
(07-08-2016, 11:33 PM)rowens Wrote: The simple point of my argument is that the individual should, not want to do any old thing and call it art, but want to do their best, on their own, to be the best, on their own but in relation to others.Yes, yes, yes.
(07-09-2016, 08:11 AM)Leanne Wrote: unless we happen to live in a nicely artistic community (and even then, it's not necessarily hippie weirdo advice that makes a poem better).
I actually have a lot of hippie weirdo friends that I asked for advice on my poetry before coming here. Everybody was willing to read but, when I asked them for critique, all I got was crickets. And one of my friends even has an honors English degree from the University of Belfast, and she said that she couldn't critique her friends' work. I don't think she loves me enough to hurt my feelings. 
Several people have questioned my desire for crit, saying that I should just write for myself. But, I have no idea how I would ever get better if I didn't get crit. I've even been chastised for wanting to get published because poetry is supposed to be a private experience, apparently.