| Author | Message | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 25711 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dearest Membership -- a certain issues has come up recently regarding the Challenges, one that's going to change the policy a bit. This note is just my effort to keep everyone informed. During last week's Challenge, a question was put to me by Brenda Morisse regarding whether a poem that had been posted in SUBLUX could then be subsequently entered in the Challenge. I thought about it and responded to her that yes, it could. If you wish to read the full transcript of what was said, you can find it here: Challenge Question However, Kathy Paupore has since brought to my attention the fact that allowing someone to do this might not be fair to the other Challenge entrants. It was her contention that posting a poem in one of the other forums at Wild first for comment and suggestions might give an entrant an unfair advantage in the competition. They would have had the benefit of suggested edits that might improve the piece in ways that would not have occurred without this advice, thus putting them ahead of other entrants who did not seek counsel about their poems before entering them. Upon giving this further serious thought, I must admit that I agree with Kathy. Therefore, I'm making a policy change ( it's a woman's perogative to change her mind, no? *smile* ) and saying that all poems entered in the Challenge CANNOT have appeared on any forum within Wild before they are entered in the Challenge. This does not change allowing them to be posted on other forums within Wild AFTER the week in which they are entered in any particular Challenge. It only applies to posting the poem prior to entering it. Of course, this does not apply to Brenda's poem from last week and does not affect her win. She was only doing what I permitted and encouraged her to do and she will not be penalized for doing that. She and her poem should still be treated with kudos and respect. However, this policy change will affect all future Challenges. I apologize to anyone who feels they were treated unfairly by my decision. I can only say that in making said decision, I had obviously not considered all the various permutations and issues this might raise. My apologies also to Brenda, whose win should not be considered any less deserved. If anyone has any questions regarding this, I highly encourage you to write to me personally at adminwpf@wildpoetryforum.com or post the question in this thread. Thank you for your understanding and support. Love, M (Administrator) | ||
| GA Sunshine
Intermediate Member Username: ga_sunshine Post Number: 768 Registered: 06-2006 |
Hi ~M~, I totally agree that Brenda's poem should be honored. After all, it was her decision to accept any suggestions offered (or not), and her decisions created an outstanding poem. For other challenges, I have gone to different sites, posted my entry, and asked for suggestions. Sometimes I have even asked specific questions. I didn't feel like I was cheating. I thought that I was using my resources, expanding my understanding and knowledge. Should I discontinue doing this? I don't mean to cause dissention, but if you wrote a poem for something else and other people opinions were given for suggestions, should it not be entered even if it fits the challenge guidelines? I will gladly stand by anything you decide. The last thing I want to do is make this difficult for you. I honestly appreciate the work involved in the challenges and hope you know how much it helps. *Hugs* GA | ||
| K L Monahan
Advanced Member Username: klhmonahan Post Number: 1536 Registered: 08-2004 |
I seem to recall that the rule was "A new poem"-- having a poem in another area on Wild would make it a "A used poem"-- wasn't a booby prize given to laz once for that? We cannot comment on a Challenge poem, so, again, the rule would be to have the poem in Wild's Challenge area for the week and then post it for suggestions after challenge. My 2 cents. (((((((((smile)))))))) Karen | ||
| brenda morisse
Valued Member Username: moritric Post Number: 155 Registered: 04-2007 |
Aw M. I feel awful about all of this. I should have known that working on a challenge poem in sublux wouldn't be fair, that it was too good to be true. but I think that I rationalized it by thinking that if the poem of the week could be workshopped, then why not the challenge. I have come to adore this forum and the great writers here, everyone is so nurtuing and supportive, I feel like the wallflower who is asked to dance at the party, and when the song ends, another partner is waiting. I never want to do anything at Wild that would cause any problems, dissention, or the start up of a "We hate brenda club". That would break my heart, but i'd probably get some poems out of it, So dearest M, if you need to void my win to keep peace, I'm all for it. I was so proud to win, but I would also be proud to give it up for the sake of the forum. You are a sweet heart and everything will be fine. I hope that all of this doesn't cause you too much upset. with love and regards, brenda | ||
| Bren
Moderator Username: bren Post Number: 939 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think the poem should stand as the winner and M has made the right decision for the future. This will have to be the learning experience we grow from but the poem is wonderful... Brenda! Do you remember slam books (might be out of era) but not mine...I was quite distressed in my youth to find a shining example with the title "I hate Brenda" on the front of the notebook. Someone passed it to me (for effect/affect I imagine) LOL What a way to start elementary school!  | ||
| veronique deshotels
Intermediate Member Username: nude_shoes Post Number: 565 Registered: 04-2007 |
Dear Madame Administrator, Ah, a strong person knows when to change his/her mind. As for the rest--bygones, and let us tilt our heads toward new challenges. appreciatively, ~v~ | ||
| Lazarus
Advanced Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 1664 Registered: 10-2005 |
I wish you were running for president. -Laz "Poems are not words, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry." ~Mary Oliver | ||
| Fred Longworth
Advanced Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 1550 Registered: 05-2006 |
Actually, Laz, she's running from precedent. Fred | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Moderator Username: kathy Post Number: 5327 Registered: 12-2003 |
M, thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my concerns. To clarify, I never considered Brenda's working on her poem in Sublux as cheating. I am also in total agreement with you, M, that her win should stand. It is an excellent poem and I'm glad I had the privilege to work with her in Sublux on revising it. My line of reasoning is that part of the challenge is not to have the benefit of others comments and suggestions here at WILD before entering the poem. If everyone starts working their poem in Sublux before entering it then where is the challenge? Maybe its a fine line, but POTW and the Challenge seem different entities to me. The challenges have specific requirements for the work entered, less postings, and less judges. Brenda, no need to feel awful.  KYou're invited to: Wild Flowers The soul is filled throughout with discord and dissonance, and so its first need is poetic madness. Marsilio Ficino | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 25712 Registered: 11-1998 |
You people are the BEST (yes, even you, Fred). Thanks for your understanding of my gaffes and for your support of my apologies and corrections. I know you are a forgiving bunch o' coconuts and that's what makes it so easy for me to step up, make decisions and share with you honestly. I couldn't do all this without all of you. And to you, Brenda, your win stands, hon. No doubts or hesitations about this decision on my part, and so there should be none on yours nor any regrets nor apologies. I will not allow you to step down from your honors. We entered into a covenant when you asked the question and I gave you my answer. I made my decision to the best of my abilities. And when Kathy pointed out my decision was in error, I was the one to take responsibility for that, not you. Just so you know, no one else complained. This was a pre-emptive action on Kathy's part to inform me and on mine to correct an error I'd made in case someone would feel the judgement I'd made was unfair. She was just doing her job as a mod (very well, I might add) when she questioned my judgment. We were trying to anticipate problems, not respond to them. There is no "I hate Brenda" club here at Wild. These people admire and respect you and would never hold you responsible for admin's mistake. My sincerest apologies to you for putting you in this position. No one should have any doubts about the honors your poem received. They were well deserved. The Challenges here at Wild were my invention and the rules were written by me with the mods' approval and suggestions. We could not possibly anticipate every permutation that might come up. And so those rules are a living document, subject to refinement, alteration, and amendment. That's all this policy change is. Just a further alteration and refinement of the rules. I expect that this will not be the last time changes will be made. As for GA's question regarding the posting of poems entered into the Challenge being posted at other forums, not Wild, I'd have to say that I would discourage that, but obviously cannot police it. I don't, nor do any of the mods, have the time to run around and check whether people are entering work that's already made the rounds at other forums here in Wild's Challenges. And so I must leave that to the entrants' conscience and discretion. I'd prefer that the Challenges inspire you to write new work, but I won't be checking in your desk drawers or all around the net to make sure that happens. I hope that answer and my explanation satisfy everyone, but if not, my door, my mailbox, and my ears are always open. Again, thanks for being the best membership on the planet. I don't know what we did to deserve all of you, but thank god we did it! Much Love to All, M | ||
| Fred Longworth
Advanced Member Username: sandiegopoet Post Number: 1551 Registered: 05-2006 |
~M~, I think that perhaps some of the earlier challenges should be recycled, like . . . Write a poem, 30 lines or less, composed entirely of adverbs, and written on the back of a boarding pass for an Argentine Airlines jet flying to Patagonia. That one was the best! I even won a DM (Deplorable Mention.) Derf | ||
| veronique deshotels
Intermediate Member Username: nude_shoes Post Number: 567 Registered: 04-2007 |
Dear Derf, You are a troublemaker, but you can't help it. It's your nature, the same genes responsible for your hair colour. | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 25713 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dear Laz -- thanks for the vote of confidence about running for president. Pardon me while I giggle uncontrollably for a few minutes (tick, tock, tick, tock). There, all better now. Unfortunately, I'm much too liberal to ever be elected for any public office. Thank god I got the administration of Wild by default and not election (no, Fred, you can't ask for impeachment, though perhaps you can request a recall since admin obviously has a few screws loose these days  ). I will share with you what my mother once said about me -- "You (she, pointing finger stridently in my direction) are so broadminded, you are flat-headed!" I'm not sure, but I don't think this was a compliment. *LOL* Love, M | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 25714 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dear Derf -- If you're not careful, I'm going to order you to create a Challenge and then to judge it. Do the words dunking booth at the county fair mean anything to you? ROTFLMAO, Love, M | ||
| brenda morisse
Valued Member Username: moritric Post Number: 157 Registered: 04-2007 |
All is well with the Wild again.  M. and Kathy, thanks for the clarification and kind words. I feel so much better now, and to everyone else, thanks for the support. with regards, brenda P.S. Bren, I"ve never heard of the slam book. Sounds horrible, how courageous of you to overcome it. Brave little girl. (Message edited by moritric on June 21, 2007) | ||
| GA Sunshine
Intermediate Member Username: ga_sunshine Post Number: 769 Registered: 06-2006 |
Just an interesting note. All my entries for the challenges have been "new" poems. I have never had one of the poems I sought help with place. So, in the future (if for no other reason besides jinxing myself), I will not seek out any assistance until after the judging. *Hugs* GA |
