h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

...but too many people think they can write poetry/stories when they can't...it's so embarrassing. I know I sound elitist and all that claptrap, and I always feel bad for the person involved. But it's like...learn some form, structure and rhythm before you start subjecting people to it!!! People have no choice but to be polite, because it is such a personal thing...which leads to more disaster because then no one can tell the barely-literate person to go away and learn the basics and stop mutilating the grace of words...in case they cry or something. It just embarrasses me. I want to hit them with a copy of *Cosmopolitan Greetings*.

AAAAAAAAARGHH!!!

I mean, I wasn't the greatest writer when I first started out. But I didn't subject people to my newborn scrawlings. I took the time to learn the different formula's and the suchlike.

I HATE people who prematurely ejaculate pieces of writing.

LEARN TO EDIT!!!!

I saw a researcher the other day who has absolutely no idea what proper grammar or punctuation usage is. Other researchers have even commented on it, because it's hard to understand what he's saying when a paragraph is written without using any periods at all.

I used to be a newspaper editor in school, so it especially frustrates me to see crap like that. I'm glad someone else gets as annoyed as me when seeing poorly written stuff get posted.

I know who you are talking to. On the net, basic language rules are just common courteousy. But even with poetry and other forms of creative writing, where the rules are even MORE flexible, people still can't grasp the idea that you have to learn how to present things. And some people just can't ing write!!!!!!

I mean, ANNOYED? You can't imagine what is being expressed beyond the screen.

It's like, some people think that good quality writing can be done by anyone!!!

AAAAARGH!!!

And what makes it worse is when something is clearly cr*p and people tell them that it is good!!! I wonder just *how* good I really am, if that is being judged as Ok for others to see.

*quietly steams*

I need a drink.

Oh, and if you want to see what sparked it off, go look in Peer Review. If she hasn't removed it, there are two submissions of the worst Holocaust poetry I have ever seen.

Now, now Saturnine, be charitable. I understand your being miffed if these people were getting rave reviews by the New York Times or something (and paychecks). However, any time a person extends himself to make some sort of expression, it should be celebrated. I think the world would be a slightly more tolerable place if everyone were willing to share of themselves in that way

-Nyss (authoress of , albeit sh*tty poetry and prose )

That's b*****ks.

I dislike ANY mutilation of the language I would quite willingly hack into my skin...be it largetime or smalltime. It's not about jealousy, or elitism. I just hate people who don't make any effort...or worse...don't see that it takes time and work to produce something of excellence...
Free expression is one thing. I am no censor. But when people aren't making an effort, or are just plain crap...it get's right up my nose.

Bloody liberals.

Right, but, as you implied (perhaps), how does one really go about judging quality? And at what point does something merit praise? In my opinion, these would be false categories, which I'm inclined to hate more than I hate 'cr*p'. Therefore, either all expression is valid or none is. And Saturnine - not everybody is as blessed as you obviously are, and many don't have the first idea how to even go about improving their work (one of the grander points of this site actually is the opportunity for feedback). I'd never tell my little Joseph to stop singing just because Nyssa, his younger sister, has better pitch and he's oblivious to his out-of-tuneness. The joy is in the expression, and as humans we are gifted with so many gorgeous ways in which to do it.

I'm not a real big poetry fan myself, so I can't distinguish between "good" and "bad" poetry. However, I can tell good grammar from bad, and when someone posts up utter fecal matter and expects someone else to read it and try to make sense of it, it's just inconsiderate.

Everything has its context, man. Now obviously if someone wishes to communicate with *you* they'll have to do so in a certain way. On the other hand - with most writing...well no one's holding a gun to your head.

Is is just me, or do I sense post-holiday angst on this thread?

Nah, I save the post-holiday angst for my journal entries. Just like all my other angst.

No angst. There are just *some* things that get on my nerves - ie : people who ejaculate matter, expect others to read it, and think it is good without even making an effort. Nyssa; I take pride in my work, and have absolute intolerance for people who expel things from their system without putting it through quality control first. On their own website, fine. But this is a public site. I would think that people would take more care in what they post when it comes to their attempts at being creative. It was simply a rant against low quality goods.

And the comment about the kids was completely irrelevant. There is a vast gap between being a kid and learning and demonstrating an ability and the follow up encouragement; and being an adult and attempting to demonstrate an ability.

And this is MY bloody journal and I will post what I like

No arguments as to ownership, but the relevency of my kids comment is dependant entirely on mindset apparently. That said, being such a quirk, it shouldn't surprise me when I can't explain myself well .

Well the whole kids thing. You should never stifle a kid's creative/search for knowledge impulse. That is a whole different sphere though...



But the parenting thing is a good analogy of writing. It's essentially like having children. You put all this effort into making sure a piece grows up right...and it does...and then you see the idiot parents who are breeding everyone, aren't concerned about how the kids turn out, more concerned about the image/title/status of being a parent as opposed to the actual parental responsibility.

That's what I meant.

& I knew what you meanr Nyssa. It's just liberal rubbish

*pinches cheeks*

Well...uh...how about that sun? Pretty hot, huh?

I can see where you are coming from on the poetry angle. There have been many times I have looked in a magazine or something and come across some random poem that I read and think ... wha? But then maybe I don't get poetry. Certainly, it's very rare that I come across any that I'm impressed with.

On the other hand I agree with Nyssa that just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's shite.

Btw, does this mean you're going to post some of your own work on here?

Post *my* work? Pft. And let the BBC have it? Or open it up to plaguarism? Nope. Not a chance. I need to save every scrap of paper right now to make some cash in the future. Lots of starving now, lots of caviar and appearances on Shooting Stars later.

Although, I shall be taking private offers of purchases behind the bike sheds, if anyone is interested. Also needed : musical donations too.

RE : s**t poetry. There is a difference between that, and stuff I do not like. I have the ability to respect good work, but it not be a part of my spectrum of taste. But poor quality writing and structure and the suchlike, is just that. Easily recognisable, and rarely criticised owing to todays liberal claptrap.

"Everyone has a right to free speech*

Well, I have a right to spit on (metaphorically, I would never break House Rules) poor writing skill. I never post anything with a hint of creativity (forum postings n/included) without spending time making sure it was readable and the best it could be. Sometimes people aren't taking the care, and sometimes, people are just s**t. It's usually the latter though. Not everyone is a poet...please don't subject people to embarrassing squirming if you aren't.

So there.

I dunno how you expect to sell it if you aren't going to let people at least have a sample chapter or two .. I never judge a book by its cover, if I'm thinking of buying one I'll flick through it first. So show us stuff

What sort of musical donations? People putting your poetry to music?

Oi! I'll thank you kindly not to assume things about my writing thankyou! It's a personal thing. Who is to say people *don't* have sample chapters? It's just I take pride in my work, as well as time, and don't go throwing smaple chapters around like a banana. Also, I'm still trying to finish the thing...it's still all up in the air. Will all be better when I am done, and all I have to stress over is another word for "light"

Believe it or not, I have other interests in life besides writing. Being absolutely dirt-poor, I have had no new music for a while. Need donations

Ok. I have to go to bed. Got things to do...

Oh for the day when you will all sell stories to the tebloids claiming you know me

I wish.

Hey okay. That sounds like a good deal. I'll send you a CD or two (copied, mind .. I don't own many CDs either) in exchange for a nice short story. What d'you reckon?

If you think coming across random bits of crap poetry or prose is hellish, try being an Editor of anything involving teenage-written stuff.



My senior year of high school I was the literary editor of the literary-arts magazine, which meant reading 200+ submissions every 3 months by students from the ages of 14-18. Most of them were absolutely terrible, and finding things that were decent enough to put into a 50-60 page magazine was next to impossible.

I mean, I'm not the best writer on earth, but good Lord I can't believe some of those people thought they had written something half-way artistic.