critting: what is expected, an invitation to discuss Options

[Guest_Toumai_*]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading with great interest the comments on what type of critique various members would ideally like to receive, which gives valuable insight for all of us learning this process.

Critting work is almost as much of an art form as writing.

One important lesson I have learnt, is that a crit does not necessarily mean offering suggestions for improvement.  What I enjoy most when critting work is when I can offer my own interpretations of what I have read.  Sometimes I grasp the meaning and sometimes I do not, especially If the poem is very abstract.

Extract from NINA's comments.

As a 'newbie' to all of this I doubt very much if I can crit as any poet - or prose writer - would ideally like, and I often feel I should beg indulgence for my ineptitude as I stumble along the path of learning.

However, I also wonder if it is ever fair to say to a critter 'this is how I wish to be critted' as the critter is the one doing the work at this stage. If a piece of work is in an open crit forum it may be interpreted in many different ways, seen in many different lights.

So what if it is a form piece that will only be published in such a journal eventually - perhaps a new insight will arise from review by those more used to free verse. So what if it is a means to a message - a discussion of rhythm may improve it's flow.

With love to all - and appreciation for all the wonderful crits I have received here on MM - thank you.

Fran

[jgdittier]

Dear All,
I've long had very mixed feelings about critiquing. It and "commenting" often seem to be used as being identical. Two other words, poetry and verse, seem to get the same treatment.
If comments were limited to general thoughts, then critiques could go into depth and include word and line substitutions.
We might define poetry as being serious or generally appealing to
human emotions by means of the best uses of language. Verse then might be the more relaxed usages making greater use of poetic license, addressing light or humorous topics, more intented to entertain than to elate.
Here are some statements I believe to be true:

Almost all writers of both poetry and verse (as defined above) appreciate comment.

Many tyros with this hobby quickly loose interest.

Both commenting and critiquing supposedly are efforts intended to be
totally for the benefit of the writer.

Strongly negative critiques may stifle beginners and those who haven't found the style best fitting them

Critiquing and to some degree commenting styles should be appropriate to the write, whether poetry or verse.
                                        _
I'm therefore committed to just two principles:
Comments, general and critical, should be limited to what are likely to help the writer according to some familiarity with his style.
Whatever the C&C, positives must at least equal nits.

Cheers,    jgd