Young Writers Society

This isn't a poem, it's a rant --and not even a rant about a valid point.

Um hey

I generally get good reviews, so I don't have this problem.

But I have to say that it wouldn't be a good review if the reviewer didn't point out the constructive criticism that was needed.

O.K. you get one bad review, and you stop writing for a while. That is your fault. You should always keep writing no matter how bad your review is.

If you wrote a bunch of bad poems, it doesn't mean you give up. you only give up when yoooouuu stop writing.

So it's not us reviewers that you should be talking to, it's you. Cause you stopped writing. You think that reviewers are an ersatz replacement for why you don't write.

"Just because you wrote a hundred bad stories doesn't mean you give up. You only give up when you stop writing." ~Robert Cormier

So take your existential problems elsewhere because

"No. I will review however I want, thank you."~Basilisk.

That's what I think.

Cesare signing out

No. I will review however I want, thank you.

Exactly description, imagery: It isn't all a poem should be. It can be a simple story if it feels like it; It doesn't need it sometimes. Sometimes it takes away. Not every review should have to be praise tho, and I know that isn't what you are saying in full. Sometimes it can feel that the intention was mean, but I think it is really the ones with murderous attitudes all throughout that are the real rotten apples. And also, if something really isn't all that good, I think it is okay to let the author know that. On YWS I don't think anybody is trying to be cruel or berate anyone.

This is not a review O_O Just a comment ^^
I totally get what you mean! I really liked your message here because it's a common thing to find online when you write and post. I asked someone once to review a piece I made, won't say what site because I use several, but they totally tore us apart :/ I'm glad you picked up the pen.

Hey BitterRosemary here to review.
I love the message in this poem. It is as true as it can be.
However, I do have some constructive criticism:
The rhyme patterns are all uniform. They are classic rhyme patterns, and the usage of these patterns can quickly get old. I am unsure if you just wanted to keep things simple this time to focus on the message ( a totally respectable idea), or if you just didn't realize the repetition. Either way, you are now aware.
Overall, I thought the poem had a simple, clear message, and it WAS indeed a very good message.
Hope this helped!
BitterRosemary

Well I don't really know how else to review this work than to review it by analyzing the issues it addresses. So here we go...

I like this a lot. But there's also a part of me that thinks that while your experience may have been totally harrowing and while there are some reviews that just lambast your entire body of work, there is something to be said for flexibility of mind here. Of someone is just being a hater, don't read their review.

A good and legitimate review is one that points out the good and the bad of a work. The entire purpose of the review system is to make us all better writers. If someone wants to be all Simon Cowell about it, this isn't the place for that. But those on the receiving end of such "vindictive and loathsome" reviews should try to be more flexible in our definition of what exactly a "vindictive and loathsome" review is. I don't think I've ever come across a single work on this site where I just really couldn't think of anything good to say about it, but even if I did, I would be sure to deliver criticism in such a way that it will be constructive to the author. Like I said before, that's the whole point. There's a reason it's called a review and not a roast.

On the other hand, I think authors should think twice before assuming that the reviewer is being cruel about it . I mean seriously, if the review is honest, that's really all you can ask for. Of course there are limits to this, but I believe that honesty is always the best policy when constructive criticism is concerned. How in earth are you supposed to become a better writer without honest criticism. The key here is that the criticism is sincere and that it's constructive.

Lastly, I believe it is also the duty of the reviewer to let the author know hat they've done well! I stress this because I believe that we as humans have an insatiable need to be commended for our hard work. That is a good thing. I also know for a fact that you can never improve upon anything without knowing what you've already done well. To lay down a fresh quote here, you can't climb the mountain trail without finding the sign.

All in all, I think that the single goal of this poem was to bring awareness to the issues I've discussed here, and if so, you manage it flawlessly. Well done, old sport!

This is so true! I have had similar problems once, where half the people loved my poem, the other half hated it. Like marmite.
Now for a little constructive criticism. You have a constant rhythm pattern throughout, and you might break it now and again, but I think you should be uber strict with the last line, because if that jars it leaves the reader with a bad impression, if you take my meaning.
You are so right here. I don't mind people disliking my work, if they tell me why so I can build on it. Or if they just dislike it that is fine, but when they have the audacity to call it a review! I once got a negative comment that I was fine with. It read simply "No."
Thank you for writing this poem,
Take That You Fiend!

I'm sorry but I thought this flowed really choppy. I'm not a poem expert so it may just be me not reading it right, but the rhymes were really out of sync in my opinion. The whole poem felt really choppy because of it, but I think if you fixed it it would flow a LOT smoother.

This could perhaps be a blog post. It really didn't feel like I was reading a poem from a book. It felt more like a rant. Almost as if you were angry and mocking reviewers who said you didn't have enough description in your first poem.

So basically what I got from this was that you are saying to any harsh reviewers on YWS "Leave me alone because I don't want to be harshly critiqued." I understand the feeling of a hard critique. And while tactfulness has its place, so does brutal honesty. I haven't read any of your other writing so I don't know how good or bad you are. But harsh reviews are usually the best reviews we will ever receive if we stop to think about it. Now some reviews are just stupid and the reviewer obviously has no feelings, but I've never seen such a person like that on YWS. Let me get back to the reviewing part here.

There were some minor issues here. Little grammar and punctuation problems, but I'm sure you can spot them if you re-read it. Your silly description part actually added something to your cause, and took something away. It did make the poem more interesting, but it also took away some of the power in your statements. You are resorting to sarcasm. It doesn't seem to fit too well in the category "poetry"

I just think this would be better as a blog post.
Hope this helps, and don't stop writing! Ever.

~Messenger

I like what you did here in saying that some reviews may seem rude and a little bit more critical that need be, even if they are completely honest. I agree with your concept in that thing are better left unsaid in fear of crippling the esteem to continue on writing. Well done and Well written. I hope that you continue writing and I am able to see more from you. Good day.
~Fallen

I'm just going to say. Critiquers can be honest. I've told someone I didn't like their story. You posted the work up there, It's your turn to be on the spotlight. You want to be a better writer? Stick through it.

I do not, DO NOT review mean. I have too much honesty and integrity to tell you I like something that I simply don't. All I ever did was ask you for clarity, tell you that you are better then some of the works you just throw out and tell you when something is complete garbage, shoot me for it.

This is obviously about me and trying to attempt to criticize the way I REVIEW. It is completely unjustified, rude and downright awful that you push away one of the only reviewers who give you honest and objective reviews. Maybe I should tell everyone that they are perfect next time?

One word for you, AMEN!

I agree with you completely and totally. My first work was critiqued rather rudely as well and the second one I did was not much better. It hurt and like you said it made me very reluctant to publish again but publish I did, it was received much better not much but it was something. Though all in all this is very well-written, it flows beautifully and a very relatable idea. I hope you continue to write despite everything because you’re very good at it. That’s all I have to say.
LOTDR over and out.

Wow, is really the only word I have for this. I agree completely, I got a really really really rough review for the first work I ever posted here. I almost quit writing because the person really didn't like my work and was extremely critiqual for someone who just started writing. I like how you set the poem up and I love how honest and true this is. I hope more people on here read this because some people really should be a little easier when they review. Good job, this is well written and to the point. I seriously feel like this should be sent to all members because it's a nice reminder to have constructive criticism when reviewing and that if they don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all. Muy bein (i write good job in Spanish when I really like something). Oh, I also like the title, it really drew me in.

this is no review. Its a comment! It happens with my poems too. I am so overwhelmed I received a review and I look at it, its mostly negative. Beautifully put. That conveys lots of peoples' feelings. Awesome!

Interesting concept.
Your title dragged me into this and I was interested to read this work.
And give a nice review, of course.

'My first poem was not very good.'

You have an amazingly honest tone to your work here and it is great for getting your point across.

It blurs the line between great fiction and cleverly concealed fact.

This was my favourite part:

'If it helps i'm on a bed, my dressing gown is red,

and the a wet towel hanging from the chair. '

Not only is it funny, but it's well observed and apt.
There is a typo: 'the a wet'

Overall, this work is brilliant because it has a lovely message. I think everything gets a review where there are some things that would have been better left unsaid and you deal with that here.
I certainly hope it makes people think when they read it.
It made me think.

Kudos.

*eyes widen*

You don't need me? Are you quite sure, dear sir?

I'm only here to appraise you upon this wonderful poem and the truth it speaks. Yes indeed, no I am not here to be foul or nasty. No, sir no. Only here to give you laud.

*bows*

You have a nice day and do keep up the good work!

-S.s

Aww, well I like your writing. It's true and honest.