What I really want to see is some effort. I want to see some complexity. I want to see rich word choice and use of poetic technique. Entertain me; make me want to critique it. Let it not just be good; let it kick my ass.
Okay, that being said, here are the guidelines.
1.
It must have been written on plain, preferably unlined paper first. Do not just open your 'enter the contest' browser and start typing. Make good use of the paper; look at the whole page. Put the first stanza in the last place a reader might expect to see it, bottom right or maybe center just nowhere near the top left corner where it would otherwise normally go.
As soon as you feel time for another stanza move to another part of the page. Aim for 30 lines or so, you can always leave stuff out later. Let your mind wonder as far and wide as it wants to.
Review it. Review it. When you feel the thread of ideas start tying together, start typing. Edit it together and don't be tied down by the placement of the lines as you see them.
Now, there is no way I can make sure you did this, but if you don't do this first, well, you'll never know what might have happened.
2.
Before you start however, choose a word -
Pilgrim
Orthodoxy
Pristine
Brisbane
Uncanny
Mist
Steeple
Medicinal
Ohio
Cryptogram
Median
Portrayal
Overture
Remunerate
Ineffable
Odessa (reference: Mediterranean)
Constancy
Or IM me for a random thought, that will belong only to your poem, but then your poem is fixed to that word (or synonym) only.
Either use that word, or bash it into Thesaurus.com and work with a synonym. Before you write anything, put that word on the page. Somewhere along the line while you are writing, tie it into the poem, at whichever stage it seems to fit. Put the word you used as the first word of the author's comment.
3.
Most importantly, number 3! CRITIQUE your own poem. Discuss any techniques you used. Decompress your metaphors; let us know how they came to be, give the reader insight into your thought processes. Discuss what the content reveals to you. This critique must appear in the author's comment and must be at least 100 words: at least. There is no upward limit.
Okay, to recap:
1. NO pre-writes
...Write your poem on paper first as per above instructions
2. Choose a word (or synonym) write it on the paper first; include
actual word you used in author's notes
3. Critique (100 words+) your poem and include in the author's notes.
There are no restrictions on style or content.
...NOTE: LAST EXTENSION OF CLOSING DATE...
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on June 9, 2005
- Rewards: Gold: 500
- Final notes: Well, out of all the contests I have hosted so far, this was by far my favorite. What made it so? I think it was the ability to see behind the scenes, rare opportunities provided by the critiques that accompanied the entries. My shortlist included Jantastic's poem, both for the poem and particularly the critique, and I am going to award her points for her fantastic entry. In the end, there can only be three trophies, and it was certainly hard choosing.
Thank you to all of you, you efforts were much appriciated, and made for a delightful contest to read and judge.
Entries [2]
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Does not wander into unknown enclaves
Circles boldly within my condensated mint• Commented on by judge. -
i’m born at no time
& dieby facesofnatalia 115 lines, 10 comments, on May 25 12:00 PM 2005. In Other, Angst
Bronze trophy winner
• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
1 - 28 of 28-
Holy cow Odyessey -- LOLOL -- now I know why you're one of the best poets/critiquers on the site. These rules are intimidating, though phenomenally well-conceived to produce excellence. Now, in your opening statement, you indicated we could let our poem "kick [your] ass." OK, so can I write a poem literally on that subject? You know, since two of the words we can include are "Pristine" and "Brisbane," it could start something like:
I took Odyssey's ass, so wonderfully pristine,
And kicked that round ball of delight all the way to Brisbane..."
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Wow. This is such an amazing idea for a contest. I couldn't enter it. But wow, I cant wait to read the entries that you do get! They should be amazing. This is a tricky one.... I wish I had the ability to enter, but at the moment, I sadly hit a writers block.... great idea anyway though. I hope you get the entries you hoped for.
Becca
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This does indeed tickle me pink and blue. I'm thrilled that you 'recovered' this contest and I will be watching the entries with an interest only a carrion bird could match. Oh. I am a sick, sick little moo cow.
waits for people to enter -
Wow, I love the first rule, it allows the author to get creative in a way they never dreamed possible, I also enjoyed the random thought word idea, and self critiquing. This is a well thought out contest, and I can't wait to try and come up with something worth entering. I'm sure you'll get all the amazing writers to try your challenge, because it is quite impressive.
-Meg -
I love the idea for this contest and I'm going to go create right now. I'm sure this is going to impregnate (I really like the sound of that word right now- I think it describes the creative process so well.) us with some unique and inspiring offspring. I truly look forward to seeing the children of this contest.
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fantastic idea!
I have finals this week or I would 'kick your ass' with a poem
good luck judging.
-meg
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This is bookmarked. Now wait till I get a piece of paper and a pencil...
Anyway, all the best with your contest and I'll see what I can come up with.
lol @ Monte! That was infact a 'kickass' write!
Edited on May 11, 9:57 p.m. because ''. -
I often write on plain, lined paper. Many of my writes start there, and my erasers are guaranteed to be the most used in the history of the pencil. lol
This sounds like a wonderful contest, but I fear you've scared me off. I really don't think I'm good enough for this one. I do hope you have plenty of wonderful entries and enjoy your contest. Hugs, Patricia -
Now this...is a real contest. It's been a very long time since i've started a poem on paper...a challenge!
i'll start on it *yawn* as soon as i wake up.
-ViNce- -
Darn no prewrites, I have the perfect poem (even did some of the things you recquired, not the critique though.)
But anyways I will start working on another soon.
Edited on May 12, 1:06 because 'grrr, I keep adding and forgeting to add "T's"'. -
ive snorted all my lines, without taking the care to memorize them. I think I'll just type into the box.
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You demand much ... I'm always scribbling on paper in the car at work .. sentences images, feelings that may or may not eventually make it into a piece. Keep them in a composition book all scraggly and abused.
Demanding. I'm tempted because I'm a sucker for poetic suffering...
Look forward to watching anyay.
Lisa -
I would love to enter but i am not sure how to decompress my metaphors or what techniques I use. I just write and whatever comes out is either decent or shit. Maybe you could read some of my poems and decompress my metaphors or detect whatever technique I use.
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wonderful
Great Kuck on this con---test!
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wonderful
Great luck on this con---test!
oh dear Typo's
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that is a loverly contest. getting people to use real paper. beautiful beautiful.
making people review their own stuff - so tricky, cruel even
great stuff -
After I took a gander at the 'requirements' and read you'll never know in your spew I know now I have to enter. This sounds like something fun and I actually can't wait to get my engines going. Thank you for the challenge. I can't wait to see what comes out. You deserve more than I can give but I hope it'll do.
your fellow poet,
youllneverknow
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I didn't think I would, but I'm giving this a try, at least as an exercise, since nothing else seems to be making it to the page anyhow. Whether I post or not, thank you for the idea.
When I was away from computers for a month last summer, I took to writing in notebooks. Now I find I can't really compose on the computer any more - there is a connection missing. I love the flow of a nice pen on good paper. Okay, here I go....
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whew, i thought the 20th was the deadline. i still have time.
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I always do the first guideline when I write a poem . It provides a great sense of freedom and open thought, and I hate the idea of having to put my ideas into strict stanzas before they're ready to be put there.
This is a very intriguing idea for a contest. I may try and enter if I can get my muse to hold still long enough. It's been rather hyperactive lately.
Good luck with judging. -
interesting... very different and... demanding? but will definitely bring about some good writes... good luck with it!
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This is a wonderful idea for the contest, I love youridea on this one! I might joij if i find some inspriation
Angel
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I'm excited to see the extension as I was hoping to enter this. Great contest as I too scribble words in that way at times.
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I have my muse, and I thank you. *bows humbly* I may not enter the contest because I want to read, sit, collect, and transpire. Good idea, and best of luck Miss Odyssey with your contest.
-A. -
i have been playing with 'ineffable' for three days now!! I admit defeat on a grand scale but wanted to say thank you for creating a great contest and for making me think ~ there are some stunning entries up there... good luck!
elaine
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Thanks everyone for your entries, I hope to get some time this week to get to the judging of this, life is hectic and busy at the moment! Will be taking the contest to task as soon as I have the opportunity...
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Thanks so much for the mention and congrats to the winners. I haven't commented on all the entries but I did read them. Great contest thanks for the challenge.
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Thank you very very much.. for the trophy, but most of all for this contest.. what a treasure, and a challenge for me.. to write find some connective tissue between ideas, then to deconstruct my own metaphors, which turned out to be more difficult than I might have thought it would.. it was a learning experience for me.. all the way..
Congratulations to all who won, and all who entered, I hope it was as much of a journey for everyone..
¤´¨)
¸.·´ ´´ ·¨)
(¸.·´(¸.·¤hims/Lisa
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