Advice to the new member and new poets

 The best general reference for all poetic forms I have found is the "The  Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary" by Frances Stillman. Scansion is the  analysis of verse to show its meter, oft overlooked by modern poets.  Learning to do meter is another matter. Read the greats like Longfellow and  the Romantics. Reading great poetry is the best way to learn to make great  poetry. It's not copying or being influenced, it's learning the paths  already travelled to find your own without following old ones unless you want to, and picking  up some great techniques along the way. My best hints for navigating the site are1. Click on everything to find out what it does, it can't hurt.2. The little white box at the top of the sidebar is the search engine, type in title or poets username and hit enter.3. Whenever a members username appears in blue (and the cursor changes to hand over it) it is a link to their profile where you can find all their poetry.4. Remember to check the Forums, this site is run by you.5. Have fun. This is just a starter, I may add more later. Everyone please add your own tips. cheersJess

From Richard"

I would also like to add that no-one here is the King or Queen of poetry…
if we offer a suggestion or a view on how we might think your poem could
be better… that is what it is, a suggestion… the author has the last
say…

 

Other things… buy a good dictionary, thesaurus… and spend time reading
the poetry on the site and the comments… and do comment when you have
something to add… jump in with both feet, like Jess says this site is run
by you……

 

Richard

I would also like to add that no-one here is the King or Queen of poetry…
if we offer a suggestion or a view on how we might think your poem could
be better… that is what it is, a suggestion… the author has the last
say…

 

Other things… buy a good dictionary, thesaurus… and spend time reading
the poetry on the site and the comments… and do comment when you have
something to add… jump in with both feet, like Jess says this site is run
by you……

 

Richard

Some more tips

Votes only decide whether a poem makes the “Spotlight” featured poem, but they also give the poet an empirical measure of appreciation, try to do it.

 

When you see a member who you would like to be your buddy, go to there profile by clicking on their username when it is a link, and click on “Add to buddy list”

 

It is best to write comments on their poem’s page but feel free to use Private Messages. Also you can leave comments on their profile which are visible to all. Protocol is respect. That’s it. Obviously comments on a poem or profile are visible to all, PM’s can be used for, well Private Messages but no abuse please.

 

Mostly click on every link in the top tabs and side menu, you can do no harm and playing is always the best way to learn,

I would also like to add that no-one here is the King or Queen of poetry…
if we offer a suggestion or a view on how we might think your poem could be better… that is what it is, a suggestion… the author has the last say…

 

Other things… buy a good dictionary, thesaurus… and spend time reading  the poetry on the site and the comments… and do comment when you have
something to add… jump in with both feet, like Jess says this site is run
by you……