(no subject)

[novapsyche]

What makes this poem minimally interesting (not necessarily successful) is the word "whereas". And when I say "minimally interesting," I mean "minimally interesting to me."

I don't think the poem is particularly successful because

1. It was dashed off.


2. It doesn't say anything pressing.

Poems need a sense of urgency, an acute necessity. Or they should reveal something. Neither occurred here.

I need to spend more time writing and not thinking about writing.

Comments

[jennkitty.livejournal.com]

i am trying to figure out if my self-esteem can handle criticism from strangers. my poem is crafted, yes, but more from emotion than word placement. room for improvement? sure. if i can hack it.

[novapsyche.livejournal.com]

There is a skill in learning how to take criticism. I say skill because there is a process involved.

Creative writing is very much like performing. You put your work (or show) in front of an audience, and then you receive feedback. Some people will clap to encourage you to keep going; others will challenge you so that you continue to bring your A-game.

The key for me in gaining that thick skin was realizing that once the words were on paper, they weren't me or an extension of me. Or let me put it another way. There is a difference between an idea and the execution of that idea. Constructive criticism focuses on how to improve the execution, to make the work more accessible or give it more clarity. Or maybe make it catchier. But no matter what, good criticism focuses on the work, not the writer.