  Noticing Newbies
This week: Seeng the Trees for the Forest Edited by: Fyn  
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"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why."
- Bernard M. Baruch
"I write songs and I sing them from the deepest part of my existence and I hope they connect with the deepest part of yours."
- Ben Harper
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
- Albert Einstein
"No man understands a deep book until he has seen and lived at least part of its contents."
- Ezra Pound
"The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know."
- Michel Legrand
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NOTE: While this is an editorial for newbies to writing.com, this isn't aimed JUST at newbies because newbies are NOT the only ones who make these mistakes.
Have you ever driven along a road through the middle of a forest? If so, you know that if your eyes are focused on the trees at road's edge, all you see is a blur of brown and green. Nothing specific, just trees rushing past. However, if you focus your eyes deep within the forest, you will be able to see individual trees, perhaps a deer standing there, and other specific items therein. You can clearly see what otherwise you would have missed.
The concept is called 'looking deep' and it applies to much more than driving down country roads. It is similar to the old 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' But there is much more to it. I've received numerous emails of late, many from newbies, some not, that have a similar theme. I am told that 'they don't get' what it is the poem is saying. Or they say that they liked the poem about 'this and that.' But they have entirely missed what it is truly about.
In literature, which if you are or want to be a writer, you do need to study, often times you will read something that, on the surface, may seem confusing, inaccessible or leave you going, 'Huh?' To unravel the poem, it often requires reading it numerous times, breaking it down, spending time 'looking deep' to see what it is the author is conveying. In this day and age where much is instant, on the surface, and taken in at a glance, good writing has multiple layers, depth, metaphorical plays on words and ideas and must be, needs to be, savored slowly, not inhaled or gulped.
Read it, reread it and if necessary, read the poem yet again. We write reviews. We view, review (read it again) and then write our thoughts. If a poem leaves you lost and befuddled, instead of saying, 'I don't get it,' (and oft times giving the author a low rating) try to figure out why you are not 'getting it.' Did you merely skim, were you actually thinking about homework, the laundry pile or your significant other all the while watching TV and/or listening to music and texting? Learning to read deeply, to read between the lines and delve for inner meanings, layers, and nuances is an acquired art. It must be learned. Granted, there is poetry that is all on the surface, (think greeting card poetry) but much of it has multiple layers that the poet worked incredibly hard to incorporate. What is considered 'literature' today requires many readings, reading aloud, as well as thought, consideration and musing. The poet is communicating 'something' to the reader and there are times that it may be obtuse, but it is up to the reader to at least try to discern what it is that the author is saying. Writing it off (Yeah, I know . . . bad pun) to it being a 'bad' poem because the reader isn't willing to give it the time and energy it deserves, simply, is not right.
Feel free to question an author for help. If the poem isn't clear, then it helps both the reader and the writer. Many a poem sounds better than what it says. On initial reading. But look beyond the surface and you may well be amazed. Does it use words unfamiliar to you? Don't knock the writer. Use it as a chance to learn something new. LOOK IT UP!
Getting an email saying that one shouldn't use 'big words that no one knows' is insulting . . .not only to the author who clearly has a better vocabulary, but to the reviewer as well, because it shows that they do not want to learn, or, sadly, choose not to.
Reviewing serves multiple purposes. It allows for interaction between fellow writers. It can help a writer to express themself on either side of the review. It can help a reader learn what to look for, see examples of fresh and innovative word choices and learn how to extrapolate information. In other words, to read deep. What you read today, may well be in the canon of literature that your grandchildren will read in school. WDC has a number of master poets on site that are brilliant writers. We also have those just learning the craft. If you 'don't get it' it is a good idea to think about what you say before you respond, to figure out the why of your response.
Writing IS a craft. We practice it. We learn. We revise, edit, tear it apart and do it again. We drop last lines, move things around, and play with words. When reviewing, one must always keep in mind the very power of the words we use. Knocking a new, beginning, neophyte poet could crush their creativity. Worse, it could crush their creative spirit. A reviewer's words could make them think that they will never learn to write, never get better at it, or, that they have nothing worthwhile to say. None of which would be true, but that is the power of the words we use.
No one likes getting stepped on, crushed, slammed or shoved. I'm sure you don't. I know it can hurt. I've been there, read that and been shocked a few times. Sometimes, I will respond to the reviewer, other times I chalk it up to someone who is less than what they could be and leave it at that. Mostly, I do respond, seeing it as an opportunity to, perhaps, enlighten them as to meaning, or perhaps, good manners. There is no excuse for anyone getting a review stating, "This sucked." and getting a rating of one star. If, perchance, it is, in your considered evaluation, that poorly written (ie; typos galore, clearly no spell-checking done, poor grammar, etc.) then treat it as a learning experience, take the time to help them edit and offer helpful suggestions that will make them better writers. Because, if the author wasn't interested in writing, they wouldn't be here in the first place! A review for something that is clearly a draft, that needs help and revision should always have a longer review than something that is extremely well written with no typos, grammar or punctuation technicalities, and is clearly a 'finished' item.
Worse case scenario, where you can find nothing positive to say and choose not to offer any helpful suggestions, close it out and go on to something else.
On the other hand, even a well written and edited piece deserves more than a 'I loved this; it was great' response. Tell them WHY you loved it, what specifically made it great. Was it the language used, the formation of the lines? Was it the assonance? Were there metaphors that made you think? Was it full of fresh images that had you looking at things in a different light? Did it exude energy? Did it leave you with shivers or tears or with a big, goofy smile? Will it stick with you? Did it change your outlook? Did you learn something new, different or shocking? Did it affect your perspective?
Did it make you sit up? Did you notice it was written with multiple layers of meaning? Tell the author how it affected you, what effect it had on you. Telling someone it is great without the qualifying reasons behind the statement are basically meaningless beyond a momentary (possibly) response of 'cool!' Because it really tells you nothing at all.
Read deeply. Don't just let the letters fly past like so many trees on a country road, look deep and see the trees for the forest.
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Some newbies :)
This first has about four different things going on.
I didn't know; KNEW I was missing the obvious
and not so obvious...I asked, author answered, problem solved.
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Noticing Newbies: May 04, 2011 Issue [#4376]
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