2006 poets, where art thou?

[666_blessings]

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Come on guys! Where are you?

[bettyb]

we are here, thinking about what a wankfest this looks like and wether we really want to do this. We were given the young writers ext II compilations to read- not at all what i was expecting. My class of 4 were amazed at how these boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings were considered top quality by markers. Im not sure if i can do this- i dont understand what the markers are looking for (?)

[666_blessings]

I (and quite a few othe BOS members also) think that some of the stuff that goes into the showcase is postmodern blather. Really, this is not what poetry or creative writing is about. I suggest you go through the major works posted in the EE2 forum (i think the thread's called '2003, 2004 and 2005 major works'). Best of luck with EE2 and if you need any help at all, just give me a holler.

edit: i'm glad we've found the lost colony of poets. =)

[super katie]

Originally Posted by bettyb

we are here, thinking about what a wankfest this looks like and wether we really want to do this. We were given the young writers ext II compilations to read- not at all what i was expecting. My class of 4 were amazed at how these boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings were considered top quality by markers. Im not sure if i can do this- i dont understand what the markers are looking for (?)

thanks... always nice to hear that your work is "boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings"

[nwatts]

Originally Posted by bettyb

we are here, thinking about what a wankfest this looks like and wether we really want to do this. We were given the young writers ext II compilations to read- not at all what i was expecting. My class of 4 were amazed at how these boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings were considered top quality by markers. Im not sure if i can do this- i dont understand what the markers are looking for (?)

Someone has difficulty reading.

Some of the works in the 04 Showcase are simply outstanding.

[illodous]

Originally Posted by 666_blessings

I (and quite a few othe BOS members also) think that some of the stuff that goes into the showcase is postmodern blather. Really, this is not what poetry or creative writing is about. I suggest you go through the major works posted in the EE2 forum (i think the thread's called '2003, 2004 and 2005 major works'). Best of luck with EE2 and if you need any help at all, just give me a holler.

edit: i'm glad we've found the lost colony of poets. =)

Might I add that, just because you don't get into the Showcase doesn't mean you can't get a good mark. While I do maintain that the Board of Studies have an emphasis on post-modern learning outcomes in the 21st Century learning context, I do disagree that you will be hampered for writing in other genres.

Many of last year's poetry submissions were absolutely brilliant and I don't think it's fair to degrade the hard work and effort that has been put in on their behalf.

It is a better idea to lessen your focus on getting into the Showcase and instead think about what you want to put into your story to make it your own - to make it a passionate piece of your own self-expression. That's what the course was designed for. I hope this message goes out to the new 2006 cohort of Extension 2 students. You're not competing for dominance, you are creating a product of your labour which I guarantee, in your post-HSC months you will reflect upon with pride.

[kami]

When you say something on a forum you are not merely making a statement to a computer monitor, you are dealing with people and if out of courtesy you would not dismiss someone or their work as blather or ravings in person I see no reason why the same should not apply here.

While I do not agree with everything the Board has chosen to place in their showcase I do acknowledge the merit and effort of the works in there - I know how hard I worked on mine and know a similar effort went into theirs. So maybe we can be more considerate in the future while still voicing our opinion?

And on that note, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the poets of 06 and good luck in your endeavours.

[paper cup]

Originally Posted by bettyb

we are here, thinking about what a wankfest this looks like and wether we really want to do this. We were given the young writers ext II compilations to read- not at all what i was expecting. My class of 4 were amazed at how these boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings were considered top quality by markers. Im not sure if i can do this- i dont understand what the markers are looking for (?)

oh look, could you do better? I do agree that the markers seemed to jump on anything that was post mo or very obscure but they mark to guidelines and stuff, and a lot of work went into those mws...so....

[jhakka]

Originally Posted by bettyb

we are here, thinking about what a wankfest this looks like and wether we really want to do this. We were given the young writers ext II compilations to read- not at all what i was expecting. My class of 4 were amazed at how these boring, self indulging, superlative filled ravings were considered top quality by markers. Im not sure if i can do this- i dont understand what the markers are looking for (?)

I would delete this post, as I think it is quite rude, however there has been some lovely discussion about it, so I guess it can stay.

I will just restate what Evan said, and ask that in future you be more considerate of other people and their works.

Thank you.

[666_blessings]

Apologies to anybody who i may have offended. I'll admit that a majority of the things that go into the showcase are absolutely brilliant. At the same time, i do find some of them to be annoying and dull. I'll be sure to choose my words more delicately in the future.

[super katie]

Originally Posted by 666_blessings

Apologies to anybody who i may have offended. I'll admit that a majority of the things that go into the showcase are absolutely brilliant. At the same time, i do find some of them to be annoying and dull. I'll be sure to choose my words more delicately in the future.

Sorry for taking it personally, but having authored the poetry entry in last years showcase, when someone says that the entries are annoying and dull or a "wankfest" as it was earlier described without any specificity, I do take offence. If my work is included in those statements people, feel free to pm me and fucking tell me, its always nice to hear constructive criticism.

[666_blessings]

Not yours at all. From what i recall, all the poetry in the 2003 and 2004 showcases were brilliant. It's just some of the short stories that are causing me grief.

[black_man]

it's a litte bit saddening at the lack of candidature in the poetry medium this year. I'm sorry Alan, i wasn't able to sort of back you up any sooner. I would encourage any prospective student in EE2 2006 to at least consider poetry as a medium. It seems to be subject to some sort of prejudices, but it really is a very interesting medium to sort of work within and to adapt to your own ends. I'm sure Alan and myself will try and assist any students wishing to pursue poetry next year, and if anyone has any queries with regards to the expectations or the course, I'm sure Alan, Katie or Myself would really really like to help

[luscious-llama]

I was considering attempting poetry, I have to write the proposal for next week. I guess I could still choose it

However i'm pretty sure i'm staying with short story.

Who knows? I'm fickle fickle fickle

[illodous]

Originally Posted by luscious-llama

I was considering attempting poetry, I have to write the proposal for next week. I guess I could still choose it

However i'm pretty sure i'm staying with short story.

Who knows? I'm fickle fickle fickle

Think about what medium best suits you. Both poetry and short story give you an immense space for self-expression, but many of those who do short stories tend to fall short of time and suffer frequent writer's blocks. No doubt this also applies to poetry, but you need to consider whether you are more proficent at creating a profound, sustained composition (a large one indeed, 6000 to 8000) or whether you prefer to dapple in the poetic verse - essentially short and sweet.

How to choose? Like I said in the initial statement, think about which medium will give you freedom to explore your ideas, and which medium do you feel more comfortable with. Don't worry too much about the depth and quality of your Proposal at this stage, as you have only begun; your Viva Voce is usually when the ideas begin to shine - and even more so in the Report.
Good luck, and keep reading!