Weekly Contest Discussion

I meant Nana's idea, sibyllene. concerning the the weekly contest.. this part..

''There must be at least special cases, that the judges or the mods may or would agree over after checking the piece written''

I don't like the idea of exceptions, that's all. nothing to do with posting your club on your profile, I agreed it should be just encouraged since I can't see it penalized either for now.

I think a HM poem should be picked by either maybe a poem that was in line to win as in fourth place or maybe be a poet who would have won but couldn't win any more that month. Once again, that is my opinion.

Jad my point was if the rule was removed as a whole then it would be removed from upon everyone's neck, meaning the best three picks (I hope) would win regardless how many times their authors have won before. if the rule stayed then some poets would not be considered because they've already one and again it would be upon everyone. but the point of special cases to my understanding means that the rule will stay unless there is an exception, that one poet for example has wrote one poem very worthy of a win so he would win. however I don't like the idea of exceptions to be honest I'd rather have a clear rule. and I don't find it fair that some would be allowed to win countless times and other won't under the same rule. it's a bit messy for me. it's either this or that. at least everyone would know where they stand.

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about HM I think If there is a poem equal or closely equal to the third pick then it should be mentioned as HM. also there are times when there seems to be many great poems around at the same time so in such cases HM would come handy as well.

Since changing the standard to one author win a month, I have had the opportunity to read a broader expanse of impressive work. I haven't seen any dilution in the quality of the 3 poems chosen - actually, the opposite.
I disagree with exceptions.

If we allowed for the same author to win back to back, we'd literally see the same 5 or 6 people win every week. Not to offend these authors, but they have distinctive styles... so if they were to win and win and win, the front page would get boring even if the poems are great.

Also, not being able to win every week encourages authors to write more. Not having the opportunity quite as often is more exciting! I know when I see my poetry nominated every week, the excitement dulls and I lose stimulation as if I'm competing with no one (not my favorite feeling).
Maybe that's just me.

I understand your point of view and I know it would be a lot easier for just a rule to be layed down and then to abide by it. Either we have anyone can Win more then once a month or no one does. It does seem simpler, but I don't know if that is all that great because even sometimes you will have a biased judge who will always be trying to get there friends poem to win. Whatever happens is fine with me though.

In a fair contest, the most deserving poems should win.

In a fair contest, there should be a panel of judges who were chosen by the site as they are intelligent and unbiased, and are trusted to act as such.

Otherwise, it is not a fair contest, it a sympathetic contest that, ironically, is compromised by a fear of judgment.

I don't care if I see the same person winning first, second and third places every single week. All that matters is that the PROCESS was as fair as possible. I see the HM business as pretty redundant.

You moderators are doing all you can by encouraging everyone on the site to read widely and nominate widely. That is all you can and should do.

All this said, I think that the quality of the front page poetry has increased dramatically from what it was a year or two ago. We are seeing a number of fresh poets on the page. We should see if this still occurs if the "once-monthly" rule is lifted.

The judges are the judges. Let them do their jobs.

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I am wholly against stating your club on your profile. Who the hell should care about that. If you want to invite someone to your club, ask them.

Also, the Life of a PnQ Poet thread is a great idea. It is a much worthier way of introducing new poets, or highlighting the great poets of this site.

And the weekly congrats thread would be far more interesting if the judges' comments were on display, prompting further comments. They are so goddam boring at the moment.

Here's a scary thought, let the site choose the winners each week based on the number of votes and number of nominations a poem has. The site members could truly say they had a hand in picking the winners.

Jad I think it would take more than one biased judged to make their friends win if the poem is not worthy, more like two or three unfair judges favoring the same person. but yes, who knows.

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I respectfully disagree Jane. I think we read the poem itself more than the author's/poet's name. If you think it would be the same people winning then it is probably because they are worthy of such. not that I see them all writing every week and winning. but again it's a contest and I don't think, for example, on any of the contest held on the main boards you guys would restrict the same person of winning twice. on the contrary you'd crown them. so the way I see it is that the best poems should be picked regardless. you want to win, compete with them.

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EDIT:

''Here's a scary thought, let the site choose the winners each week based on the number of votes and number of nominations a poem has. The site members could truly say they had a hand in picking the winners.''

NO! this is indeed scary. you'd have people socializing for votes and nominations and favors. a whole mess.

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''The judges are the judges. Let them do their jobs.''

Agreed!

''Here's a scary thought, let the site choose the winners each week based on the number of votes and number of nominations a poem has. The site members could truly say they had a hand in picking the winners.''

I'm sorry, Sylvia, but I find that as Princess has said to be very hard to maintain. People would be scheming with one another to see who could get the most votes, however if people would just be honest then I wouldn't have a problem in the world with it. :]

You guys sure like to make things complicated :)

Blahh, alright, so we lift the once a month rule and see what happens. Like that idea?

^
Blahh, alright, so we lift the once a month rule and see what happens. Like that idea?

Sounds like an idea to me. :] Makes things simpler. XD

Talking about complicated, What about lifting it unless/until people ask for it to be returned? XD

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EDIT:

A three month trail period is fine with me. I thought one month is so short! but I'm all for three!

Or we.... Naw, I'm just kidding. :P I think a three month trial or something similar would be helpful.

Also complications make things more enjoyable. Else the world would be all dull and no fun! :] XD

Alright, you five independent and mysterious judges, it's up to you! Do us proud!

Also, to the rest of us- there is little merit in complaining that the same author wins every time, just because they are winning every time. An issue should only be raised if you really find something suspicious or tedious in the process.

Because this way, the process really can be as fair as possible.

Imagine if a poet scores a hattrick in one week!

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Britt- totally, dude, totally.

^
While were at it - throw out any sort of ideas. Would you all agree/like the Life of a PnQ Poet? Would you be willing to throw yourself out there and sign up for it? Do you think we could get some good participation out of it?

For me, I like the idea of a Life of a PnQ poet but no I would not like to do it. Maybe after it has been done several times and I get an idea of what to do I might say yes. :] As far as Participation, I think it should get a good amount as long as we have people who are active enough to at least take a look a some of the forum threads.

Before we even do any of this, though, I think we should have more opinions in the matter. I mean I have no problem with just my opinion along with three others or so being the ones to dictate it, but wouldn't it be better to have a couple of more peoples idea. I may be stupid for saying this but like all other phrases coming out of my mouth. opinion.

I actually meant to say I wouldn't want to host the first one, unless that is what you were referring to? :]

Okay, Britt. That's what I figured you all[Mods] would do. :]

Austin, you have me laughing so hard right now. I do love your sense of humor.

Is the life of a P&Q poet about your own life, do people ask questions or do you just write stuff. If that is the case I wouldn't want to put myself out there for people to see how boring my life really is. lol

Sylvia, first off, I can't be that funny! :] Secondly your life is awesome. Coffee every morning is like a dream come true for me! XD

^Also, to the rest of us- there is little merit in complaining that the same author wins every time, just because they are winning every time.

My feelings are if members don't take the time to voice their opinions on the subject, they don't get to complain, sort of like voting, you don't vote, you don't get to complain either.

^
My feelings are if members don't take the time to voice their opinions on the subject, they don't get to complain, sort of like voting, you don't vote, you don't get to complain either.

My vote for President is going to you. :]

That's only fair and no thank you for the presidency!!!

C'mon, you already got one vote! XD

Ok, I accept!!! LOL Sorry folks, didn't mean to get off track here.

Back to the issues! Order in the court! Order in the court! The people of this site will thereby be sentenced to give their opinion on the option of lifting up the once a month bogus crud people have referred to as the ultimate issue at hand.

Sorry, couldn't find a real name I liked for it.

Britt
^

My answer is............................................. Yes! :]

Wow that was a really long thread ... lol

So many pros and cons for each.

Cons of the once a month win ...
- Wins going to ... well not the most deserving of the win.
- New poets and faces is awesome but ... who really represents this site ? And how did many get where they are ? By studying the craft, many dedicated hours to learning and expanding their poetic knowledge I say !
It's kind of like like a baseball team ... do you put in the new pitcher just so he can hold the spotlight ... lol ... or do you put in the one that has the best skill and will help the team shine ?

But there is also cons to having the same poet win week after week.
- people get angry ... lol

I think the best way to solve the entire problem is to find judges that will to the best of their ability choose "the most deserving win" and leave a comment as to why they chose the poems they did.

Or choose a panel of at least 7 judges, therefore eliminating the chaos of " so and so are friends, this one is in this club ect ....

I know last week there were a few I would of liked to nominate but I didn't because it would be a waste of a vote. So I only voted for one :(

That maybe the only way some people will give an opinion, be sentenced to do it. lol I make them walk the plank if they miss a contest deadline, would that work?

(I really am sorry for getting off track, not drunk, just tired and bleary eyed at the moment and the brain is just doing whatever it wants. lol)

"Also, to the rest of us- there is little merit in complaining that the same author wins every time, just because they are winning every time."

That's true. In fact, maybe it's just extra initiative. Unseat the King! Send Britt toppling from her throne of win!

Regarding the Life of a Poet, I was thinking less of a biography and more a sampling of their work to read and discuss. Maybe whoever hosts might have a little survey for the featured poet to fill out, if they think that would be fun.

About the Club listing thing - it sure would be easier if there was just a way to look it up, but since there's not... eh.

So, to clarify:

1. The members say to do away with the monthly restriction.
2. Honorable Mention is still up for discussion.
3. People are encouraged to list your club in your profile for ease of use, but this is not a requirement.
4. We want to start a Life of a PnQ poet, the terms are still being decided.
5. Judges comments should be added to the obligatory congratulations thread - if the judges are up for it.

Anything else?

^

Drunk says, aye.

I agree with Lu on most everything she said.