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Attention! Attention!( a "handout")

Attention! Attention! Read all about it, and don't you dare doubt it. You know me. I thrive in controversy! When it comes to poetry, some of you is showing mercy! So I'm gonna be 110% real. So here's the deal. I must get this sickness off my chest. So allow me to address these member contests. I see a lot of favoritism, it's borderline racism! See I'm a grown man, so understand I'm not into games. Now these members, I won't mention names, and no this ain't no verbal gun. I'm not gonna take shots at anyone. So you can remove the bullet proof vests. Go back and view the last 10 contests, and that person who ran it. I don't understand it! It must be a sin that the same 10 win over and over again! Knock on wood. Ain't no one that damn good! Attention! Attention! Read all about it and don't you dare doubt it! So what if a fellow poet gets mad. It's sad to give them something they didn't earn. They need to learn. Nothing in life is free! That's reality. You need to erase that first place! You did not earn it and that "ribbon" you need to burn it! Now this is legit. Something really smells and surely ain't s#%t! Attention! Attention! Read all about it and don't you dare doubt it! On this site well into the night, relationships are made, but don't be afraid to tell it how it is! You can tell the quality in poetry between hers and his! The poets you've come to love, and are fond of without a doubt don't need a handout! What cha mean, you don't want to hurt no ones pride?! You're setting that poet up to commit suicide! Rejection can really sting! Especially going through life not earning a thing! I guess that is the difference between you and me. Because materialistically I had to sacrifice. I earned everything I got in my life! *I'm aware the contests are judged by the "opinion" of the person that sponsors the contest. But stop letting personal feelings get involved. It's a sign of weakness!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009




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Date: 1/20/2010 7:42:00 PM
I MEANT that you should know US better, Jimmy, than to think we would predjudice our opinions when judging poetry. ***Danielle***
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Date: 1/7/2010 7:52:00 AM
When I sponsor a contest, half the entries are disqualified for misspellings, incorrect grammar. or incorrect form (IE, the infamous "I don't know" type). The poets are anonymous, so there is no favoritism or prejudice. You should know better, Jimmy! ***Danielle***
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Date: 1/6/2010 10:01:00 PM
In a contest I helped with, we were 3 judges (I dd not know the others). We got forms with 5 criteria on them, such as 1 to 10 for imagery, 1-10 for structure, 1-10 originality, etc. all scores were tabulated, averaged together. This is the fairest way I can think of, but it's time consuming. Even then, I was disappointed sometimes to see what those OTHER two idiot judges chose (haha) That is life! we live , we learn, we (hopefully) grow. Loved some of those funny lines in your slam! andrea
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Date: 1/6/2010 9:51:00 PM
I'm new here and just found this. I used to judge contests. Always there would be a sour grape. even when I did it blindly, not knowing the authors. I like a certain style. Other people like a different style. You cannot change what a person likes. IN one (small) contest, judging blindly, I kept picking the same person almost every time. She wrote concisely. That is just what I happen to like. Others here, many others, like other things. Best contests have 3 judges. Here is what they do:(cont.)
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Date: 1/5/2010 11:09:00 AM
I am not a premium member, nor do I really have friends that I talk to here on Poetry Soup...Most of the poems that I put here on the soup are written for the contests..I enjoy writing for them..Some are hard, others not so hard for me..I place most of the time. No first places yet, but I keep trying..lol..The ones that do make it to first..second..third, I think are good enough to get there..I will be the first one to say that there are some really great poets here...Linda
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Date: 1/5/2010 7:29:00 AM
I've been here many years now.This is the first year I've entered any contests.I feel that truth, recognition comes from within not without. Having said this I enter contests for commradery not the prize because I write for myself not for others.If I touch one person through my writing that's enough for me. While I feel honored by a win I feel all entry's are winners because they come from the heart and soul of the writer so for me it's all in fun.Beauty's in the eye of the beholder so...
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Date: 1/5/2010 6:36:00 AM
It took me ages to enter Raul's and Brian's as i thought they were out of my depth. But i knuckled down, and hey presto > it payed off. I feel more confident than before, as my poems are slightly different than many fine others on here. But i do agree Jimmy Andersons poetry is really good, but i can say this for so so many others, who probably have not won. Keep writing Jimmy, rewards will be round the corner. Happy New Year to all at the Soup, and be creative as much as you can >> James
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Date: 1/5/2010 6:28:00 AM
Excellent blog, and this is the Highlanders opinion. Having joined the Soup in April last year, i never expected to walk into a room with open arms. So many of the poets knew each other way before my appearence. Friendly groups will always appear on public sites, whether it be Poker, Poetry or Scrabble. There is always going to be favoritism, thats human nature, our poems are the instruments to change such. I try and enter as many competitions as possible, as i feel it raises my standards, cont>
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Date: 1/4/2010 9:08:00 PM
Hi Jimmy, I have won and lost some member contests with the same sponsor, so I agree with Carrie. All I know is poetrysoup has provided all the tools any of us will ever need to be a better poet. I have learned much here and have much more to learn. Lainie. PS, this is a great slam poem.
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Date: 1/4/2010 4:45:00 PM
Cont..One thing to note, speaking for myself..I enter each & all contests..which of course betters one's chances.I love to enter, it helps me grow in my writing..some are more difficult than others...which makes me stretch. Personally, I don't write to win or place,I write to learn and stretch my skill..Some really seemed impossible for a novice such as I was, when first joining the soup.I am astounded to have won any at all. Just thought I'd share another point of view.Many thanks!..Carrie
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Date: 1/4/2010 4:36:00 PM
Hi Jimmy.As one who has won some of the contests ,no one could be more surprised than myself at some of the results.I'm not simply being humble by saying that I'm very aware that there are more worthy poets, truly gifted people on the Soup,that write magnificent poetry.But I do need to say that nothing is fixed..there is no undercurrent of favoritism that I'm aware of.I don't sponsor contests myself,I don't think my judgement is qualified..it's the "eye of the beholder"that seems to count.Cont..
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Date: 1/4/2010 1:49:00 PM
I really hate to lose ... smile ... and wish, quite frankly that we didn't have contests at all especially when the winners of the last one never even got the money they were promised ... I don't like competition when it comes to poetry ... incidentally after over 3 years, I haven't ever been more than an "also-ran" ... LOL ... Laugh and the world laughs with you ... weep and you weep alone ... think thats Shakespeare but I'm not sure ... Love you, Jimmy ... God Bless ...
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Date: 12/30/2009 9:59:00 PM
Jimmy i enjoy writing here,many times wish to enter a contest then i hold myself back,afraid of losing what became so special to me here,,friendship and love for poetry...Charma
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Date: 12/30/2009 7:49:00 PM
Bravo Jimmy for stating it like it is... most poets notice its the same names for top winners over and over again... don't know if its at the discretion of the sponsor or if some other method is used... it really is just their opinion as to which poems rate a top spot and which do not... still don't be discouraged or doubt your work as a poet.. different are unique are we all... and all have special writing gifts and talents... I luv contests but learned not to get my feelings hurt if not a win.
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Date: 12/30/2009 2:59:00 PM
I've noticed this also. Sometimes I wonder if the contest shouldn't be judged by outsiders.You are right in what you say, Jimmy. Everyone needs to be reminded to judge fairly. We all have favorites and since we're humans sometimes that interferes with our decision-making and in this case, other worthy poets get hurt.
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Date: 12/30/2009 12:32:00 PM
spot on mate. if you're thinking about the same person I am
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Book: Shattered Sighs