Commenting on poems

Thread can be read at: https://www.poetsquill.com/forums/thread.cgi?t=37
From PoetsQuill Message Board (https://www.poetsquill.com/forums)
Posted by Ben Grader on Wed Oct 27, 2004 11:23 am
When I joined the original PQ I was new to the internet and posting poetry etc. After I had posted a few I was politely PM'd by the moderator of the forum who pointed out that if I wished to have my work commented upon - then I too should comment on the work of others. <br>Being new to the idea I was rather taken aback at the thought of doing this. However I started doing as requested and found that the critical examination of others work and helpful comments (not nasty ones) gave me myself a better insight into writing. <br>I have noticed there are not many poems posted on the open forum most seen to be posted through another system. <br>The main point of this post is: - I think that unless people start to post their work in the open forum visitors to this site are going to think there is very little here and won't consider joining. <br>AND unless people start to comment on others work as well as look at it we shall never get off the ground as a rejuvenated PQ. <br>
Posted by rainrose on Thu Oct 28, 2004 4:26 am
I know that several other sites have as their main page a poetry submission thing, etc, but I've always found the poetry forums to be the most happening/interesting part of a site. Perhaps that could at least be more prominately displayed on www.poetsquill.com instead of the submission part?
Posted by Phil on Thu Oct 28, 2004 12:40 pm
I've just added links to the poetry and prose forums underneath the submission/reading links on the main pages.
Posted by Ben Grader on Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:30 am
Phil, I realise that you are a busy person, (yes you have guessed right I am going to suggest something which will make you busier still) I am suggesting that there should be no 'Submit Poetry' and 'Read Poetry' links on the home page but just the 'Poetry Forums' link. Then that the forum should be split into say 'Haiku and Senru etc.': 'Help needed critical comments wanted': 'Love and Romance': 'Nature': 'Serious'. This would make any viewer notice the number of total work and also would enable members to see who was doing their bit by commenting on others work. I did belong to a site where it was mandatory to comment on 3 poems before you were allowed to post one of your own. This is a bit too drastic in my opinion, but it seems obvious to me that some form of control is wanted. Also that the open forums like this would provide a temptation to join which is needed for the casual writer/reader who looks at the site. I am not suggesting by any means that any person should be allowed to post or comment, they would still need to register to do that but I think that it might stimulate the membership numbers. <br>I think you would find in the long run then that you would need to do less work in maintaining the forums after that, I will also put myself - and without their approval or knowledge Rainrose; Jon Snow and Emily forward as forum moderators if you would like that. I mention this because we were all I believe mods on the old PQ. and will know when to clamp down should you get trouble makers as happens on many new sites.
Posted by Ben Grader on Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:35 am
Afterthought. I joined Poets Quill in the first place because I looked up 'Poetry' on Google and was attracted to the name from a long list of some sort. Is this list still on the web? Could the rejuvenated PQ be placed on it?
Posted by Bluesy Socrateaser on Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:05 am
<blockquote ><div><cite>Quote</cite>I mention this because we were all I believe mods on the old PQ. and will know when to clamp down should you get trouble makers as happens on many new sites.</div></blockquote> <br />I remember well your approach to perceived "troublemakers", even before your moderating days Ben. Your habit of sticking your nose where it didn't belong (along with others, some you already mentioned) was the cause of much consternation on more than one occasion. <br />You wanted to be a policeman, not a moderator. <br />Some still do in other areas. <br />You may have long since passed through the portal, but if not, I know you would be the same old same old, sailing your clipper ship over the blue horizon to the lands of decency, righteousness, and fair play. <br /> <br />Right.