Why are people looking for critique on their poetry?

Question

The Yahoo site is filled up with teens and others who think they are writing poetry (they are usually writing rhyming verse and there is a HUGE difference between that and real poetry). These kids then post this stuff on Yahoo Questions (a violation), asking everyone to tell them what they think. When they get a critisicm and are told that what they are writing isn't very good and that they need to take steps to make it better (like reading the masters) they get totally bent out of shape and then report you for violation of "Neither Question or Answer." Indeed, the answer was an opinion and generally, most of the stuff on here is really bad (poetry). If you don't want to hear both good, AND honest critique, then DON'T ASK! Whenever you put your owrk out there you are going to find that not everyone likes it, and when you ask for advice, don't get mad when it's NOT what you wanted to hear? Some of you want your egos stroked, apparently. Don't REPORT when you get an honest answer!

Trust me, if you want toget anything published (and apparently some of you do) the big bad world of publishing is NOT out there to mollycoddle you and tell you your stuff is good when it's horrendous or even bad! You need to learn that if all you want is praise, DON'T, I repeat DON'T EVER submit your work to a real publisher! They will eat you alive and laugh at you, because you are so obviously a rank amatuer. Again, the minute you ASK for someone's opinion, you have best be prepared for honesty that you might not want to hear. What is with those of you who get so angry you report for an honest anwer? You need to learn not everyone thinks you're wonderfully talented.

Answer 1

It's funny you should ask this question, my roommate and I were discussing the same topic earlier today. The best answer we could come up with was that the people who post their writing on here - which you correctly pointed out, is a violation - do so out of a desperate need to have their egos stroked. The sad thing is, despite the fact that NOTHING I have read on here is close to publishable poetry, some people still think it is good writing. Then, when the folks out there who seem to have an inkling about what constitutes real talent, dare to criticize honestly, the "writers" get mad. Really ridiculous if you ask me. Anyone who is serious about their writing would seek a more valid venue - literary journals and the like - for publishing their work, rather than a public forum where the only reward is praise from people who have no ability to improve their chances for publication, and generally, in my opinion, don't really have a clue about what constitutes literature to begin with.

Answer 2

This had to be said, sooner or later. You said it rather well. I just hope those tender souls who do write good poetry aren't put off. As you point out, most of them are teens. Their identity is egocentric, yes. What teenager isn't? Jesus wasn't that way? I don't know. Bhudda wasn't that way? I don't know. Anyway, thanks for stating it so boldly and succinctly,

Answer 3

Life is a carefull ballance-A dance that requires careful steps.Thoughtful and Insightful admonition begin with respect for the venue that you prescribe. This is no place for impatience as well as injustice. Grant yourself a reprieve, for this avenue is one of diminished value.