R and M and Fixed Form Poetry defined, feedback accepted here Options

[Lady Poet]

Hi Lori,

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the hard work that you have taken the time to invest in this forum as well in others I haven't read yet. I've saved them to a special folder so I may reread them at will.

I have a learning disability and deep lack of self esteem that has vexed me no end all of my life. However in everything, school, work etc., I've always excelled above average expectations in word comprehension and writing. It is only since my membership here that I have been sucked back into the vortex of timidity and lack of confidence. You see, I don't have dislexia, but for some reason my comprehension of complex unfamiliar terminology such as anapaest or anapest, iambic, pentemeter with the stresses and unstresses...(and I am trying so very hard!)....throw me into the frozen wilderness and I become transfixed much like a deer in the burning gaze of the hungry wolf lol.

I know that I am still very much a novice even though I've been writing for 34 years... I've only ever written in a way it sounded good to me at the time...and it is my hope that in my time here you and a few others will be willing to help me. I am always open to learning and never offended by those who are trying to help me understand something from another point of view. Just like Daniel, I have been a bit disappointed with the lack of response of commentary or critique on any of my work...it's not anyone's fault that I have a sensitive nature and low self esteem, but I'm beginning to feel like I'm being actually avoided, sorry, but that is my perception. Only because I have commented and critiqued so many and very few have returned the courtesy as I was happy to see was something considered important on this site of magnificent talents. Perhaps that is just my problem? In any case I've once again segued from my main reason for responding to this tile, which was to thank you in appreciation for your hard work. My apologies to any who read this and find my comments unsatisfactory. I want nothing more than to simply fit in and feel as if I and my efforts are worthwhile.

Hugs and God bless, Pami

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi Pami -

Thanks for your reply. Poetic terms stress me out too and I do not consider myself anything but a novice as well. As you can see, Daniel's comments were from 2 years ago and things have changed since then.

I admit we are in a slow time at present, our staff alone has been dealing with many personal (health related) issues since June keeping us offline a lot more to cope, and I'm not really sure where our members are? The end result will always be LESS FEEDBACK on posts overall; it is not a reflection on any individual here or their abilities, please do NOT take it personally. People come and go as with anything or any site. Unfortunately, I can't change that, especially since MM is a free site (for you, I pay for all monthly expenses out of my pocket).

As for your commenting far more than what is being returned, I thank you. It has always been a sore spot for me too (and for many of our 'loyal regulars'). I cannot tell the members which posts they should offer feedback on or to post more than required and at a bare minimum, at least reciprocate with those who interact on your threads. We have tips posted in an annoucement thread I created, called 'Fostering Feedback' : Since such detailed crits require considerable time and effort, it is both polite and good practice to respond, fully, to all suggestions offered. While not specifically stated in the annoucements, it is common courtesy to respond to someone who has responded to you as a reciprocal. Again, personalities, goals, time, content (of posts) all play a factor and some just come on, do the 2 required and vanish, while others will post comments on MANY topics, far more than required. Unfortuantely, it's the way it is with people, (and not just here). Technically, they are following the forum's rules, but not more than that.

There's not much I can do about it other than to post myself whenever I have time to invest, to bump the numbers up. Having said that, please know, personally, I am not one who will leave a one or two line comment and consider that as a critique, I spend at least 20 minutes per crit on average, sometimes an hour or more per topic if the topic calls for it, unless it's a polished work and doesn't require a thorough going over.

If I sent a board email, some would surely get offended/put off even though that isn't my intent of the message, to reciprocate, so I'm in a no-win situation at present.

I'll chat with the staff.
Thanks for your post!
~Cleo

P.S. I just added this to the annoucement threads: When someone offers their feedback in your threads, as a courtesy, please reciprocate in kind.

[Judi]

Dear Pami...

I want you to know that if you need help at all, just send me a message and I will be happy to help! I have tried to reply to most of your posts, and I have to admit that I seldom go anywhere on the board but Rhymed and FV sections. I will try to skip over there and comment on those also...don't take it personally...I have one in FV that only has one reply...it happens...not to worry! (((hugs))) Judi

[Psyche]

Dear Lori,

It just occurred to me that it would simplify matters if we could have a link at the top of R&M to the many different forms that figure just underneath for that purpose (Karnak).

Elsewhere, I've seen the alphabet used so that one can click on P for Pantoum and find it at once, and so on..
Is it difficult to have them alphabetically?

Like just now I wanted to check on pantoum but wasted time seeking its rules because it's right at the very end of the listed forms, so I gave up and just commented. That happens in many areas of life, the answer always seems to be at the very end of a search...LOL...It's probably one of Murphy's rules!

ToT, just an idea!

Love and hope you have great hols,
Syl***

[Psyche]

Back again, Lori and all!

Of course I forgot to say that the link to Karnak Crossing, with forms or styles such as FV and Blank Verse should be applied, if at all possible, to both forums and in alphabetical order.

Or just alphabetical order in KC would be so much faster to locate what poets are seeking.

Another change, which might be a lot simpler, would be to have automated Immediate Reply e.mail Notification in Options, top right. Perhaps many members don't remember or don't know that they can have Immediate Reply e.mail Notification, instead of Delayed Reply e.mail Notification (how long is Delayed Reply, BTW?), and don't get their e.mails for some time. IMHO, an immediate e.mail reply would be more encouraging, what do you think?

I always take the trouble to click on Immediate Reply before going away!

Going to bed, did a lot of reading and inspecting this evening, as you wanted plenty of feedback.

Cheers to all,
Syl***

[Cleo_Serapis]

Food for thought - I will reply in more detail at another writing Syl but didn't want you to think I hadn't seen this post.

I have each forum set up to sort by Order: Last Post from Z-A. This way, new posts will always be on the top, OR any replies to any topics. You can see this if you scroll to the bottom of any forum (lower right below the Fast Reply box). You can also change the order yourself at any time. I do this when I want to find topics of certain members for example, I would then changethe Order to Topic Starter instead. It's just a one time change though as the next time you go back to that forum, it will default again to the board default.

If you wanted to see something in Karnak by Topic Title (Alpha), you'd have to sort the Order By Topic Title.

In another thread, I just replied regarding email notifications: In your control panel, scroll down the left to Options. Then click on Email Settings. From there, see Enable 'Email Notification' by default? If ticked, choose default type: and change to Immediate Email Notification. That should work for ALL topics you set to receive in the forums and topics. I believe the delayed email goes in 3 or 7 days (I need to double check).

Also, in our HELP menu (up top) - please click on the heading: Email Notification of new messages (How to get emailed when a new reply is added to a topic.) or simply click this link: http://forums.mosaicmusings.net/index.php?...DE=01&HID=5 to get you there.

Cheers,
~Cleo