Ideas on how to get honest, unbais opinions of ones writing?

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November Gypsy

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My husband and the small circle of friends who have read my poems all insist they should be published, which I am thankful for and which I find very pleasant to know. But, the problem is that I can't get it out of my head that they are just being kind, and while I reallllyyyyy appreciate that, I wish I had a more certain way of knowing if I am any good or not before trying to get them published. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can find out? I mean, you can't really post them on the internet, because if they are good, someone could steal them. I know I sound paranoid, but I swear this is the only issue I'm paranoid about.
 
Poems don't make money so they are kind of a waste to publish.

If you write fiction, get a book on the writer's market and start submitting short stories to magazines that say they will read and return and you can get free and honest criticism.
 
Love you too Botts. I don't write fiction because my brain is not made for it. I am slugging through a novel right now...but it will take me another five years to finish it because I am too easily distracted. But, poems, now...if I am inspired I can write one in less then 10 min. It allows me to be creative without letting me get antsy, if you see what I mean. Jiro, as to ADers...you think that might work?
 
November Gypsy said:
My husband and the small circle of friends who have read my poems all insist they should be published, which I am thankful for and which I find very pleasant to know. But, the problem is that I can't get it out of my head that they are just being kind, and while I reallllyyyyy appreciate that, I wish I had a more certain way of knowing if I am any good or not before trying to get them published. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can find out? I mean, you can't really post them on the internet, because if they are good, someone could steal them. I know I sound paranoid, but I swear this is the only issue I'm paranoid about.
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I agree.. once you post them online, regardless of what site. You would either need to have them copyrighted yourself. Or find someone to help you publish them.

I do not feel it is a waste of time. poems and writings are awesome...but once you share them with out having a copyright. anyone can steal them.

Hey why not google up on how you can find out to protect your work, before you share them... :)
 
Thanks for the encouragement by the way, Babyblue. I really appriecate it. I buy poetry, myself, so I know someone does!
 
November Gypsy said:
Love you too Botts. I don't write fiction because my brain is not made for it. I am slugging through a novel right now...but it will take me another five years to finish it because I am too easily distracted. But, poems, now...if I am inspired I can write one in less then 10 min. It allows me to be creative without letting me get antsy, if you see what I mean. Jiro, as to ADers...you think that might work?
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Gather that was sarcasm because I did not say what you wanted?

I was trying to help. Here is an image of a book that would help you if you really wanted published.

590144_f520.jpg
 
Oh, dear. I didn't mean it as a mean scarcasm Botts. I was playing with you. I know you were trying to help! I promise!
 
November Gypsy said:
My husband and the small circle of friends who have read my poems all insist they should be published, which I am thankful for and which I find very pleasant to know. But, the problem is that I can't get it out of my head that they are just being kind, and while I reallllyyyyy appreciate that, I wish I had a more certain way of knowing if I am any good or not before trying to get them published. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can find out? I mean, you can't really post them on the internet, because if they are good, someone could steal them. I know I sound paranoid, but I swear this is the only issue I'm paranoid about.
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Gypsy!! I think that is great if you can write poems, it is harder for us to see the good in us. However, I think you know you are good, you just wanting people to confirm and I can't say I blame you, we don't want to be a shame, smile...Not everyone will like or feel your poems so don't be worried about what people think some will and some want just like everything in life, just believe in yourself and go for it lady you will do great!!!!
The internet is hard to do anything due to hackers, I would say e-mail but then I'm not sure of that either, the best way I would have to say is in person if you worried about someone hacking your work at heart.
I really... think that is great, I hope you decide to do soon and just believe in you! I think poems are great! Hope to see your work oneday!!
 
*Feeling confused* I really didn't mean offense. I'm not sure what numbers you are talking about and I didn't mean you weren't right about poetry, I just meant that that's the only kind of writing I can churn out buckets of. Thanks, by the way, for the book reference! I'll look it up.
 
November Gypsy said:
*Feeling confused* I really didn't mean offense. I'm not sure what numbers you are talking about and I didn't mean you weren't right about poetry, I just meant that that's the only kind of writing I can churn out buckets of. Thanks, by the way, for the book reference! I'll look it up.
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I meant sales figures by genre. Poetry is dismal.

One of my daughters writes and really her only money at this point is in short stories.
 
Adella said:
Gypsy!! I think that is great if you can write poems, it is harder for us to see the good in us. However, I think you know you are good, you just wanting people to confirm and I can't say I blame you, we don't want to be a shame, smile...Not everyone will like or feel your poems so don't be worried about what people think some will and some want just like everything in life, just believe in yourself and go for it lady you will do great!!!!
The internet is hard to do anything due to hackers, I would say e-mail but then I'm not sure of that either, the best way I would have to say is in person if you worried about someone hacking your work at heart.
I really... think that is great, I hope you decide to do soon and just believe in you! I think poems are great! Hope to see your work oneday!!
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Thanks Adella! I can be very honest in that I am not at all sure that I am any good at all. If I were sure, I would have done something about it by now. And you are right...no one likes to be shamed...and I'm pretty worried about that...to much so. I get so anxious and it's very silly, but, as yet, I haven't matured out that. I really appriecate the support with all my heart. I also know that when you say that not everyone will like them, that is true. Some people hate poetry, for one thing, and others only like certain types. I am a little picky myself...so I understand that. I'm just worried that I am not good at all...but I'm worrying too much, as I am wont to do, and you recalled my attention to it! Thanks hun!
 
the beauty about internet is the anonymity. You can try to post a portion of your poem on random writing site and see what kind of criticism you get.
 
Bottesini said:
I meant sales figures by genre. Poetry is dismal.

One of my daughters writes and really her only money at this point is in short stories.
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Ah. I see. Well, that's discouraging. Still, I may not be any good at all, and that would settle the point, wouldn't it? It's awesome that one of your girls writes! Great for her! (And your dad as well, of course). One of my aspirations in life is to have enough staying power to finish my novel. I just don't stick well for much longer then a 15 min period...thus, the novel increases, inch by painful inch on 15 mins in a 24 hour period. *Lopsided grin* Thank you much, by the by, for your info! *smiles*
 
Jiro said:
the beauty about internet is the anonymity. You can try to post a portion of your poem on random writing site and see what kind of criticism you get.
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*Chewing on this* That is true...Oh, I do have to get over myself. I have the worst case of stage-fright I ever saw (the stage being the published writing world)
 
You can mail the copies of the poems to yourself and don't open them in case you have to prove the ownership of the poems. The package are stamped with date. Just hang on to it unless you have to prove it in the courtroom. I hope I explained it okay.
 
Wow. *Blinking in surprise* That was brilliant! You explained it perfectly and it makes so much sense! THANKS!
 
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