A Grump!, Book Title Challenge Request Options

[Sekhmet]

Good Morning Everyone
- A Grump!
I am becoming worried by the tendency to cram as many titles as possible into a loosely constructed whole.
Where is the challenge in stringing a dozen titles together into an almost understandable form? Especially when what often emerges is incomprehensible to the average reader.
When we enter the challenges, surely our first duty to our fellow writers, and to anyone kind enough to read our work, should be - to make a real poem from of the selection of given book titles.

It is disappointing to see how few attempts at actual poetry have resulted from the challenges. I had understood that a creative stimulus to writing fresh poetry was the whole point of the exercise!
Possibly many members are number orientated; and feel that by stringing twelve, or even fifteen book titles loosely together, they have met the ultimate challenge.
I have news for them - they haven't!
Surely, writing real verses; whilst making creative use of whatever materials are given to us, is the ultimate challenge?
I would far rather read five lines of understandable poetry, than a dozen lines of contrived gobbledygook.

Would it be possible to have more stringent criteria for the Book Title Challenge?
Possibly the type of poem required should be specified. Sometimes, maybe, the verses could be expected to actually rhyme. Or, for a change, the titles may have to be used in a short story of maybe 500 words. Then, at last, the titles would become a real challenge to our ingenuity.
Sorry to be so critical - but I think I'll have to give up on the challenges if they are to become simply - numerical exercises.
Love, Leo

[JustDaniel]

I'm guilty too, Leo...

but I really DO try to create a credible poem that can LATER have some of the words changed to make the piece a totally stand-on-its-own piece.

I find that it stretches my imagination to piece together as many as possible into one piece... and of course it's a challenge.

I've not been back here long enough to get into the 'contest' between Alan and Steve [ and, by the way, Steve, that would be "between Alan and me" -- just to pull your chain from over here too! ], but I suppose they may count me in.

I will, however, keep your implied admonition in mind. I don't like gobbledygook either... unless I'm writing a Lewis Carroll-type piece.

deLighting in your sharing, Daniel