Dead Poets Society Forum Does Age Count? Or Experience..

I don't know about you, but I have been having a real problem with other writers on this site.  I give them an honest review, not the usual "OMG I luv ur poem" that Myspace poets and other sites usually give out.  

DEAR PRINCESS

Everything counts    and    nothing.

Apparently it depends on the old reporters

formula----Who, what, where, when , how , why.

I think you might get something from the bio on my page.

Please read it.

I will never be so ego ridden that I think my rating should put

you up or drag you down.

Everyone gets rated  100 % by me.

If I have something to say about your writing that even remotely

could offend----I will either pass on by without rating, OR

I will write a message to you spelling out what I think the problem is.

Fair enough ?

----- Eagle Cruagh

Age should not matter! You read the poem. Gosh! They should get over it. There is many writers of different ages out there. Just having someone to read my stuff..is greatness all by it's self. So be it. eroticwings

I think it should be experience, but others seem to think differently.

 

If you took the time to read their poem, and then write a review, they should just be grateful and get over it.  I gave some very nice concrit on someone's poem (nothing bad.  Just mentioned a bit of punctuation error) and they blocked me.  I don't get it.  Reviews mean opinions, right?

Im not a very experienced writer, im also some what young, i hope(23). I graduated with a degree in music composition, and one of the most important things i learned was that there are both objective, and subjective qualities that make any work of art "good". Im sure a complete discourse on aesthetic could fill up a dissertation at least and many lifetimes at most, however there are several immediate and concrete things that can be objectively discussed in any art form. Structure, pacing, prose, idea ect. I wont try to draw correlations between music and poetry for lack of time. A general rule however, is to always give positive reinforcment first, and then discuss other aspects that may be improved. Furthermore, it is always best in my view to give concrete advice that has practical application. If a younger person has a handle on this and gives good advice then age shouldnt matter.

Age is nothing but a number. I am nineteen also, but I have been writing in some form or another since I was a child. I believe that many of us are like that, and that we have a lot to offer when it comes to critiquing others' work. Experience doesn't come with age, it comes with - well, the experience of whatever we do in life, whether it's writing or some other endeavor.

I have critiqued others' writing occasionally, they didn't take too well to it but they were the same age as me. I have, however, critiqued others' vocals far more than I have critiqued writing (I am a musician as well as a writer), and many don't take too well to my advice. I always point out the positives before the negatives and they still have a bit of backlash for me. They see it the way that it seems people see your critique of their writing - they assume because I am young, I don't have enough experience to give them any feedback. I've been singing seriously since I was five years old though, so I do believe I have enough experience to give advice and feedback to others on their style. I believe this is the way it is with writing too. Our age tells nothing of our experience or our level, it just tells how long we've been on Earth. :)

I am always pleased to get a review.

It is all about whether you read me or not,

not what the review is about.

Try again !

----John

I am 20 years old and I use the Word of God to try to reach out to people and my writing. I love writing and I think that anyone who writes is unique and soulful. I think the people who judge are the people who do not know themselves at heart. I think that you should write about whatever you want to write about for an opinion is its own and you have the right to clarify that statement.

 

I think that poetry is an opinion of the soul that seeps out on paper through the mind to make you dance and sing a lullaby.

I have had people say I am too young for my own good and I have been reviewing on people's works since I was 14 and pouring my heart out on paper since I was 10 years old.

 

Dont make anyone change who you truly are inside, just be happy for you are who you are and that makes you special.

 

~Pixie~

Age shouldn't be an issue here.  I agree with what the others said, I'm just happy that someone even bothered reading my stuff. Though for me, I would like honest  criticism, like when they say my stuff is good or whatever, I find it better to know if what they've read, if they actually understood it or whatever. Don't be afraid to give out your comments. Heck, I've had 13 year- olds scrutinizing my stuff, and it doesn't bother me one bit :P The fact that they read it, chose to read it, and given some sort of feedback is enough for me, and mind you, I know alot of kids younger than I am, yeah, 13 year old kids, who are really great writers and are very expressive with their stuff. So keep on commenting, and may I ask to comment on my stuff too? Only if you have some time^^

Well, I am way older then you! Age does not matter when it comes to critics. You take it with a grain of salt. I never liked that quote either. We just deal with it, like creative people that we are, and go on. Hey, I am still trying to do it too! Best to you.

It isn't age, it is there ego which got bruised from reading their work being criticized over being praised.  I confess I know that feeling, one can get use to people writing that they love your writing then here comes one honest person who doesn't see your writing as the second coming of Christ, well it shocks people and they simply attack back at the first flaw they can find in you.. thus your age.  For this reason I never critique ones work, instead I simply comment on how the piece made me feel, or made me think, ponder even wonder, yes sometimes I even learn.  If I do have a critique I send it to them in mail so it is only for their eyes and less of a chance of their egos being bruised. 

Recently I had a review that said my poem was "weak", ha that was all I heard and it took me a minute to read beyond that word.  When I finally read her entire thought of my work, I was able to agree that it was a weak poem even thou I loved it.  However if forced me to rewrite it and now it is much better.  She was young but what she said matter more than praise others were leaving.  Just be who you are, and people will appreciate you for it.

See the thing is, neither things really matter.  what matters is what is being said... and like Iota said, when writers get harsh reviews, it tends to hurt their ego. so they kinda backlash, which i find rather immature, it's one person's opinion let it go and move on. i'm 13 and i actually have people a lot older than me asking for reviews, and they takes my critiques seriously. so maybe it's just the writer. try reviewing people who won't judge you based on your age; these tend to be the true writers as opposed to the people who just want to boost their self-esteem. personally, i find that honest opinions are best no matter how harsh as they allow the writer to improve. but if it's brutal, then try to end it with "it's just my opinion" or something to soften the blow a bit. unless they ask for a sugar-covered reivew, be honest or if they don't want honesty, just don't review.