 Journal: Guidelines
-------------------------------------------Mood: The UsualGuidelines to not being a dick when commenting:
1. When you open a poem and read it, whether or not you read of of it, whether you liked it or not, whether it was good or not...leave a comment. Explain why it is one way or the other.
2: Cool poem, really great, you're good, loved it, you effing suck! this poem had no imagery, etc. << those are not comments. A comment is where you explain why the poem was good, why you loved it, what you think could be done to fix whatever problem there is with it. etc.
3: When leaving a comment with criticism, MAKE DAMN SURE THAT IT IS CONSTRUCTIVE and not just a barrage of do this do that, this was stupid, boring, etc. That is called opinion. Leave something that gives advice without hurting the other persons feelings, dissing them, ranting on them, or being a prick to them.
4: NEVER EVER tell someone to stop using a particular word or phrase. One, it's none of your concern if they choose a word. Reguardless of how cliché, redundant, or over-used the word is, it is NOT your place to say whether or not people can use it. That is a violation of the freedom of speech, kiddies.
5: If you absolutely MUST harp about spelling, DON'T make it every word that they messed up and put it at the beginning of the comment. Leave it for last. Example: oh, and by the way, you should go back and re-read your piece, I believe you have a few spelling errors, prehaps have a friend proof-read for you? << it's called advice and suggestion. Not list and demand.
6: Grammar: Grammar is very important, but don't be a dick about it. if someone has 'faulty' grammar, it would be best to explain where they messed up. prehaps they chose to have bad grammar to give the piece a 'feel' or 'atmosphere' or prehaps it's just a simple typing mistake.
7: punctuation: Oh dear lord. I really despise it when people attack the lack/over-use of punctuation. This is where creative license comes into play. NOT all writers like to use perfect punctuation. Prehaps no one has read a poem that lacked puctuation. I myself don't use much punctuation, i use it when neccessary, but damn! Like I'm gonna waste my time making sure every little comma is in place. Let the reader catch his/her own breath (THAT came from a quote that I don't fully remember). So if you see a poem without punctuation, please stop and think about the possibility that the author did that on purpose.
8: Suicide poetry: Suicide poetry is NOT bad. Okay, it's a little redundant, it's ridiculously whiny, BUT think about this. It is by far and beyond BETTER that our depressed little (or big, who says adults can't write about suicide o.O) friend is expressing their pain and anguish on paper with a pen rather than in their wrists with a shard of glass. It helps me when I'm feeling like a pile of unicorn poo to write it out, to scream and curse and stab things WITH A PEN ON PAPER than to thrash about and cause either myself or others bodily harm. Plus, it's good practice. Eventually they will become encouraged, inspired and determined. And BAM! they get the point and they become something better than what they were when they began. So next time you see a suicide/angsty/i hate you/i hate me/etc. poem, don't be a dick and say, God, you little freaking emo, get a life! Get over yourself! because that will make them feel even worse and they will probably jump off a bridge or something.
9: The Rule of 3 for comments: Yeah, there is a 'line'. comments should be no less than three (3) lines and no more than three (3) paragraphs. If it is neccessary to create one longer than this, simply finish up at the 'line' then resume in a private message. If your comment is anything less than 3 lines then it's not a comment. Think about the piece, THEN comment.
10: reply to those who comment on your work. EVEN IF they are pricks. It's also nice to read their work as well and give them a comment. Those Who Give Shall Recieve.
11: Close everything with at least one nice thing even if it's simply, Best wishes, good luck, keep it up, etc. These things give your comment a nice touch. Let's the person know that you aren't a bad person and that you don't mean harm. This doesn't work, however, if everytihng you put in the comment was laced with contempt and ignorant opinion.
12: To err is human: When you read a piece, don't, for one second, expect perfection. We are all human and make mistakes, we are all poets and have the freedom of Creative License. Take this to heart. Perfection is a delusion and should be banned, if you think otherwise **slap to the face**
That's it for now.
If I come up with anything else, you will be the first to know.
Have a good day and enjoy yourself,
Misty
(p.s. you don't have to take what I say seriously, nor do I expect you to. Hey, my recip. is only 70% so, although I know my own rules, I still am human and struggle....Created 2007-10-12 20:55:05 |
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Poor thing. Well anyway! I was sitting at home and i decided something. I AM QUITTING CONQUERONLINE! for two whole weeks i will deny myself that drug! that addiction! 
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