Mentoring my Padawan learner...

Yo guys n gals,

so like i was thinking the other day about how i was helped along the long poetic road by other poets of differing skill, style and philosophy. Sometimes this was done in a 1to 1 manner, mostly from friends with amore experience than I, which i found to be hugely benificial as they got used to my methods and were because of this able to better advise me on ways i could perhaps improve.

What i'm suggesting is a similar system in here. Poets who feel they would have something to learn from a particular fellow bard, could ask them to become their mentors. That poet would then agree to comment on all their new poems and perhaps a small selection of their old ones in order to help them along the way.

For example, i'd be interested in writing some styles of poetry that i've never really considered, such as dark and fantasy, and so i'd approach someone like FTS miles and ask to become his student [ sounds kinda weird ] it would in no way imply a difference of skill, just a desire to grow as a writer....if he was agreeable we'd work out some kind of vague contract, based on trust and not the law obviously...and then just go from there.....he could set me challanges such as writing in a certain structure, or about some such subject...or perhaps redoing one of his classic dark works.....

I'd love to see this kick off, not only would it be good for us all as writers, but it would strengthen the community spirit and i imagine....be fun and interesting.

In fact, maybe people who, without arrogance feel they are strongly linked with a certain stlye, or theme and have lots of experience with it, could offer themselves to the community as mentors, and whoever wants to get invovled can.....you could even have multiple students....

So yeah...thoughts would be good....i have a good idea what i want to mentor on, and what i want to learn.....it just needs some people to get involved.

Come on in, the water is lovely.

Kevin.
: )

What do you think of the idea though? Starwars fantasy aside?

Yeah, but instead of getting random comments from random people, you choose the person you want to help you, either because you love what they do, or they give good feedback or whatever...and they commit to commenting on as much of your stuff as they can.

It would be a massive benifit i think.

Fair point. I would hope though, that anyone who undertakes the responsibility of mentoring someone will make an effort to help them develope their OWN style...and by that i mean whatever skill and style they naturally have.

I get what you're saying though.

well, since nobody is perfect.. we can all stand to improve....

I think this is a cool idea! I've already been working with a poet on here with her editing and stuff. We had already become friends, but this has really cemented that bond and we have lots of fun working on poems together. Her insight really helps me with my poems, too.

Oh I like that idea...thats good. Well I would like to be able to write happy poems...but they always come out corny...lol...anybody good at those?! lol

ooh thnx for posting all those bob...im gona try em too!!! lol.

Wow, Bob, you really don't want me to seeing my girlfriend much eh? Well, i'll make a note of all those structures..

You would be a fine mentor, but not for me....we are too emotionally linked *wink wink* and i walk a different path.

Right then, for everyone who is interested, who wants to mentor and who wants to be mentored?

I'm up for mentoring someone on philisophical writing...and perhaps free form verse...

I'm interested.

Are you sure friends? I mean, i was thinking you'd be a great mentor, though it would be cool to be both...

And Scarlette, what are you interested in specifically?

Did she Bob?....i had no idea i'd bought the talking model.

This is cool...right then friends....i take you as my padawan learner....[i've always wanted to say that to someone and sort of mean it]

I'll begin tomorrow. Prepare yourself, settle your worldly affairs.

Like i said-i wana be able to write lighthearted stuff and fun stuff-not necessarily funny stuff just fun happy stuff...lol...so who's good at that??? gime a subject and i'll try to write about it!!! lol...(and i need a new rhyme scheme...i always stick with abcb in EVERYTHING!!!! lol.)

hmm...i could try that-but i dont know much on the subject....lol. well if u want me to i'll make up somethin...well try at least...haha

Kevin: I'm interested in having someone be my mentor when it comes to poetry.

Awesome idea...

Now how 'bout putting it formally into action and make different threads for different subjects and let it be a bit more organized and formal?

We could then all request mentors and post an "ad" to be mentors on whichever subject/thread?

Just a suggestion.

Well Friends I would like to have you as a mentor...tell me what to write!!! lol...j/p but any help much appreciated!

maybe this endeavor should be moved to the "Writing Poetry" category..... I can't see them giving us a whole new category for it....

Thats the thing Ann, it won't be a forum category for long as once the relationships have been set up, like with friends and I, it will become personal [...very personal....wait...is friends a guy or a lady?]...but until then i still think it is a suggestion...once it's all worked out and we have a few teams...then we can set up a continuation thread over at writing section for newbies.....

ok, sounds like a plan

Aw Bob, don't get all soppy on me.

[ turns to face the sunlight...looking grim and determined]

I'm just doing my job.....

[walks off into the sunlight]

I think that this is a great idea, much more personal style of critique. Its great to have people work on a more personal level like this, it will really help people get much better (I think).

I would be willing to mentor someone and be mentored. Anyone up for either?? I write about pretty much everything... I have a pretty broad range, but really my explicits are all im known for $^&$%@#*. I kind of wish that people would be able to look past those and see what else there is to offer.