So you've decided to crown yourself with a title that a million other people (just like you (yes, just like you!)) give themselves every day. Some people believe giving yourself such a title is equivalent to, and just as beneficial monetarily, as naming yourself Queen of England. But, there is no grace, rarely enough publicity, and only the title of Court Jester seems to be becoming for you because you are a fool among others.
What is this sacred title? Poet.
Why does titling yourself a "poet" make you a Fool? Well, it doesn't, not in and of itself. But if you've only been published online, never in print-that could be a sign of your well-earned Fool status. To be blunt-that is a sign that you write bad poetry.
Why would these sites accept your work if it sucked, you ask? Maybe to raise their quota, maybe to get more submissions of the site's particular interest, but mainly to actually HAVE something to post-most (but not all) sites are desperate for submissions. Or maybe they're out for a profit. Come on, who among us HASN'T had something accepted by the National Library of Poetry, and then gotten all the brochures for expensive products featuring our work?
The Webmaster vs. Editor Problem: Go to any website, check it out. Can you find someone with the title of Webmaster? How about editor? Or, still yet, Webmaster AND Editor? A Webmaster does not, by any means, mean Editor. Simply because someone is a webmaster (someone who controls the site, updates the postings, etc. . . ) does not mean that the person is an EDITOR (someone who corrects the work, proofreads, re-writes, re-words, etc?) of the work posted on the site. In many cases, webmasters who are disguising themselves as editors are giving real editors a bad name. A webmaster, will too often post submissions "as is" and not give a damn about the content or presentation. However, if a site has someone who can both edit and be a webmaster then the site is moving in the right direction.
This is the main problem source. Building a website, and getting work "published" on a website is so easily done by anyone whether they have talent or not that it de-values the word "published" and lessens the role of an Editor.
Granted, the internet IS a great marketing tool for promoting your work, getting your name in the public's eye, and getting writing experience, but have you ever asked yourself why your work is ONLY published online? Perhaps it is because no discerning EDITOR has ever seen your dribbly poems, except in browsing the web for bad poems to laugh at.
Here are a few tips that will help you to get your work published online. Hey, I figured if you're going to be a fool about getting your unpolished work published on the internet for the world to see, I'd give a few tips to help your bad poetry stay that way, since you seem to like that way best:
14.Poems don't progress, that's the difference between a story and a poem. Poems aren't suppose to take you on a journey to learn.
If you follow these guidelines, and start writing, you will be a "poet" in no time. Remember that poetry HAS to rhyme, and remember that the less you practice the better you are.
Joking aside-you might want to try doing exactly opposite of the "tips" in the list. And, since many webmasters (who are titling themselves Editor) aren't doing their job, it's up to you to learn to edit your work before you embarrass yourself.
(This article is not commenting that ALL online poetry is not well-crafted. But the poorly crafted poetry far outweighs the well-written by a landslide.)
About The Author
Stephen Jordan, a Medical Editor in Greenwich, Connecticut, currently lives in New York City, has five years experience within the educational publishing industry. Stephen was a freelance editor with such educational foundations as Princeton Review, The College Board, New York University, and Columbia University. Away from the office, Stephen promotes his creative writing, painting, and his home-based freelance business OutStretch Publications. Stephen holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in writing and literature from Alderson-Broaddus College of Philippi, West Virginia.
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
Whether you're interviewing for a new job, trying to woo... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
Writing is a personal and introspective process. To share with... Read More
The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips -We've established what a title should... Read More
I just finished to read a book. A story for... Read More
An island in the Mediterranean. A beach in Africa. The... Read More
Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
How to get a lot of traffic to your website... Read More
In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More
I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Our plotting stage is our testing area.Everything... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More
My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?It should.A theme is a one-line explanation... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
The only way to become a writer is to write.... Read More
You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More
GAINING WRITING EXPERIENCE Some Catch-22, huh? In... Read More
The first and final rule of quality writing is this:... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
How to get a lot of traffic to your website... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the... Read More
Before you even begin writing your novel, you need to... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Whichever theme you choose, all the elements,... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
Quite a few years ago, I enrolled in a Degree... Read More
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?I have said above that if a... Read More
Most writers are familiar with first and third points of... Read More
I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More
Just about everyone is familiar with this beginning: "In the... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
Chaos and confusion come when established rules and procedures are... Read More
Golden Rules For New Writers - Things you need to... Read More
Writing |