The way and reason I critique

I do suggest everyone writing poetry should read poetry, it is at best naive, at worst arrogant, to think you can't learn from the masters. Nobody has to take my suggestions, you can keep writing in your comfort zone and experiment on the side. Here is an exercise I give to my protegees.

Sit at your computer, open your word processor and turn off the monitor. That might be difficult with a laptop, I don’t know, I never use them. But the idea is to just type. type and type any words that come into your head, not thinking about poetry or meaning or spelling or grammar or anything. Then turn the screen back on. You may well be surprised by what is there.

You might find a poem, you might find some personal insight! Whatever, have fun with it. To me poetry is both a highly skilled craft and our childish nature let loose in monstrous proportions.

Many people complain bitterly about me on Neopoet but the honest truth is that it is a democracy and a far greater number of people have been helped by me. That is why I am still here. I am a better mentor than I am a poet.

I don't comment on works I think have no value at all, I only comment where I believe there is potential. One thing even my worst opponents don’t deny is that I am always honest.

oh, one more thing. Neopoet is not a hotbed of mental health! I am bipolar and it got me in lots of trouble all my life until I finally got proper diagnosis and treatment only over the last six months! I truly understand deep depression.

Consider this. There is a reason for it. Nothing spiritual or mystic. Members of the tribe in ancient times who had bipolar or depression helped the survival of the tribe by being outsiders, watchers for predators, which is also how they became the artist/poets. Having an outside perspective. We do belong and there is a reason for the way we are.

cheers,
Jess