"Reviews And Comments...Thoughts And Apologies"

"Reviews And Comments...Thoughts And Apologies"

I'ld like to speak with all you guys for a bit (Guys IS non-gender related when taken as a whole).  First a lil background to get beyond...

I've been a member here for like ever, since June 16, 2011.  Seventy-Six days, counting today - well, Seventy-Seven actually - its tomorrow now.  I've looked at THOUSANDS of writes - because I wanted to - NOT had to.  Along the way I somehow managed to find and/or be found by those on my Friends list (and even more that aren't - yet) and have achieved one known Block and have Blocked one on my own.  I've even responded to hundreds of Read-Requests.

I've test joined a few groups and was invited to a few others: a couple worked, even found one to be exceptional: a couple didn't work, and I resigned; and I have another that I was asked to join that I still haven't fully decided upon.

As with just about everyone else, I have experienced the loading delays and frustrations inherent to not being able to connect to WritersCafe (WC).  Web research has shown me this has been and will continue to be an ongoing problem until better equipment (not additional professional staff support) can be acquired... I believe its likely a money issue - but that isn't necessarily so (just my own opinion).

Now then:

One thing I HAVE continually noticed is the number of views vs reviews recorded upon EACH work of ALL authors.  Notice I said nothing of "Comments" - because - there is NO marked space here FOR 'Comments".   Seems most have learned the value of silence.  100 views - 5 reviews,  40 views - 1 review,  15 views - o reviews... I think you can see what I am alluding.  Silence doesn't mean not being read or not being liked... and many return and return work after work - quietly.

And then there ARE Reviews - but wait!  Most aren't reviews... they ARE "comments".
What we have done is make a place to 'comment', to speak of what we feel - to give an opinion and/or word of moral support based on our perception of the content rather than discuss any of the technical aspects (including merits or faults) of a work.  Most of us are giving that perceived 'pat-on-the-back' - and its GOOD that we do that because shyt happens and life can HURT and we can get soooo lost being by ourselves INSIDE as well as outside.  Sometimes its an abusive relationship a person is trapped within and sometimes its just that no other person in the world gives a damn.  It gets lonely being you, being me, being anyone and the 'lifeline' of a comment - the sheer recognition of a person's existence by another person can make a real difference.

But - always a but, isn't there?  But, the space is "designated" for review - and soooo many BEG to be given clues, tips, hints of ways to improve(?), grammatical and technical corrections, concrete (NOT perceptions) exposure of flaws, non-destructive critique, constructive criticism, and more.  Not everyone understands how.  Everyone has their OWN opinion as to right and wrong.  Cliches - even about AGE and maturity - have a basis in reality as well as exceptions.  Being an author carries responsibility as well as ownership. 

We are human and being human means admitting to flaws.  I HAVE some flaws - serious flaws, mean flaws, wickedly BAD flaws, and minor ones too.  I am not always thoughtful (notice I did NOT say thought-full).  I don't always pause and think of how my thoughts will be perceived - I am righteous in my self-ness and always so clear to myself about the mud of my meaning that I KNOW the reader viewer will perfectly understand my "views".  I can hurt people and HAVE... with intent, but much more so WITHOUT any intent.  People I care about, people I found and thought to be exceptional in ability as well as for their humanity... I can be hurtful.  I don't WANT to hurt people, but I NEED to realize I CAN - even when I specifically try not to. 

I apologize - not for being me, but for not adequately expressing what I tried so very hard and yet inadequately said.  I do NOT pause with ANY persons' work with a forethought intent to leave behind thoughts that willfully offend or hurt - EVER!  I WILL privately AND publicly respond as appropriate to such perceptions.

Examples of my lack of expression abound: (Please open links in a seperate window)

from: Lambi.Luminescence

Is my heart in this one enough?  :/ 

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/UninspiredYeti/785871/

To: Lambi,

THAT was flat out A W E S O M E!  You rocked it with that one!  So many times all I see over and over and over is really pretty words... nothing in them - just pretty words.  No spark, fire, WANT, heart, HURT, PASSION... just pretty words that you forget before you even leave a page, hell - sometimes as you leave one stanza for the next.  After a hundred a day or so... you get so numb - and when you SEE ones that actually KNOW words and their shades and can do so much more than turn a pretty phrase well, it hurts more.

I KNOW I likely pissed you off - wasn't the intent at all... nor any bullying... but damn - woman you NAILED IT with this one...

T H A N K   Y O U!!  It made my WHOLE day, really - you did.
Chris

From:  Lambi

Thanks, really. :) I worked hard on that one. You did make me a bit angry, but it helped me write. I'd be honored if you'd share the link. thanks again. Lambi

This Poem HAS its author in it and intertwined through it - its real, raw, gutsy, and beyond merely good - way beyond!  Because it has that indefinable BITE of what having heart IS all about - at least to me.  Please open the link in a seperate window.

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/UninspiredYeti/785871/


Another Poet:  Teri B

Created and posted a work of "Found Poetry"  and I went off the deep end of a pool with my mind tied in silly knots.  A legitimate Poetic Form - Found and Parallel Poetry - and I went off brain-dead and mind-stupid.  Yep I am flawed - seriously flawed.  I'm ashamed she poofed it because I was unthinking... I hope she will bring it back.

Basiclly guys - Silence isn't 'Golden' when its all you have.  Reviews are more than technical opinions.  Comments are also recognition.  And each of us needs a taste of reality - as often as we forget to be real.  This was posted by me 12/18/2000.

"Can There Be Bad poetry..."
I've oft' wondered
Why people cry,
Moan, groan, b***h and complain
cause someone took a chance
And tried to express
In whatever (perhaps ONLY)
Manner they could -
Something they FELT or NEEDED
To be said...
Or written...
Or sung.
I may not agree
With choice of words...
Symmetry... time...
Placement... rhyme... 
Spelling... grammar...
Subject or matter...
But...
I listen 'tween the lines
For their intent...

For the needs
(Sometimes so hopelessly expressed):
Anger and pain, or
Sorrow and tears, or
Joy and laughter, or
Hopes and fears, even
Wishes and dreams.

I am not God...
I don't judge cause or intent...
To stamp with indelible authority
Right or wrong,
To preach my way or no way.
I'm just a man,
Part of humanity's faceless clan,
A brother willing to touch AND hold
Outstretched hand... young OR old,
Silly, chilly, or bold.

I listen 'cause I know
No other way to be
The person that is ... me.

Can there be bad poetry?

Chris
as an addendum:

Can there be bad poetry?
No

Less than Great?
Hell yes - mine is even at the lower end of THAT!  But as long as it is the honest attempt of a person to share their thoughts the only way they knew or know how without a conscious effort to harm or hurt any other individual... poetry isn't bad.

Chris

Reviews

[roarke]

I think more people on here understand what you have expressed than not. I don't give critical reviews because I have no credentials to do so. I figure that if someone is serious about writing, they will learn that all the structural aspects of writing will be learned one way or another.

The other half that you write her about is getting the author out on to the page, honestly, raw, swingin' for the fences. Good art, is one that provokes a response, positive or negative. Effective artists give the audience what they didn't know they needed.

Many times, very many times my comment responses become later writing prompts for me. I've been motivated, inspired, excited by what I've read and have responded by word in kind. That is what is important in a forum, venue like WC.
This is a supportive site, there are many inspirational writers here, you among them Chris, it's this blend that makes WC the positive artistic influence it is.

[Larry Dyson]

yes ...and what you did not say was not needed...I would miss a day without your comments..Chris..ty for this blog...

[Emily B]

you have that certain something that makes people sit up and take notice, you ask the most difficult questions sometimes, but trudging through the mud to find the answer is the best adventure

there can be bad poetry, I've written tons of it myself

sometimes I find myself moved to critique, to offer opinions and advice, but more often I let the words I read move me and leave the something that resembles the way I felt reading the post