Poetry Forum

Hi there everyone, I see I should put some kind of introduction here so here goes:-
I write as anaisnais on the internet but am actually Anna-Marie Docherty, you can find me on the social networking sites from time to time. Friends call me Anna, Anna-Marie, anaisnais and even anais - I'll answer to either and feel free to take your pick as you feel comfortable... I've been asked before where anaisnais comes from it was merely a name I could remember when first starting out a couple of years ago - after a perfume I use anaisanais but dropping an a in the middle so as not to copy... Simples eh? Anyway I've been writing about a couple of years now on and off, as the muse takes and although am being read I need more input when it comes to critique of my work regards to grammer, construction, use of language etc if I am to progress in future works.

A small warning when it comes down to publishing as I have already been stung - with a certain American company which I shall not broadcast here but for anyone looking to publish if you require further detail then message me and I wil get back when I can... Basically research, research, research as now I am in limbo and not sure how to move forwards despite having interest by another Publisher wanting to see more of my work... Perhaps I'm now being too cautious I don't know. Any ideas welcome! Also having been scammed leaves you wondering if your work was actually good enough to start with so my confidence has been somewhat shot...

Well I have been an avid reader it seems forever and love to write when the muse takes me, I don't always change a poem after critique but sometimes leave it alone with all comments so both others and myself can use it for future learning... therefore please do not think any comment has been in vain - I do try to learn from what is said, although sometimes I find things harder to grasp. That said please be patient with me, I will try to return all comments although sometimes this might take me a little while as I am on heavy medication due to health issues that sometimes take over and of which I have little control. Winter or damp times seem worse - and UK weather especially Wales doesn't seem to be helpful. If I have missed something don't be afraid to leave me a polite nudge, these things happen occasionally and I'll be only too pleased to go sort whatever out...

If you wish to know more please ask, or do a search - like I say there is other detail out there should you wish to go delving and I don't want to bore you all silly by writing similarly here...

I look forward to getting to know some of you and your works in the near future and will offer what I can back in return. For the record I prefer to message someone of anything that jumps out usually rather than place it as a comment on their hard worked at piece of writing be it short story, poetry prose or otherwise... I guess as I start to read I shall see how this site works and slot in though accordingly. I don't see myself as an expert in the art and so don't expect by point of view re comments to be taken as such, but literally as one point of view that may or may not help the writer... That said I am going to go wade in your wordy waters now, keep your muse flowing and thoughts recorded. Happy writing and here's to a productive 2012!

Hi Anna-Marie, welcome to PG.

We do have private messaging, but generally if you have something to say about someone's work we prefer it to be added to the comments - we're a community and learn from one another.

The general rule with publishing is that if it costs you money, rather than the publisher, then steer clear. If you think you still need help with 'regard to grammer, construction, use of language etc' then I would have thought workshopping rather than publishing is the way to go for a bit - but of course I haven't read any of your work yet! Anyway, jump in. We're mostly harmless.

Ros

Thanks Ros, nice to have a little guidance... Re the publishing it all started out as no costs at contract stage and then little by little they were creeping in, and then big promises of getting you on a stand to promote your work at your costs overseas - talk about a red light - so I pulled the plug - and have heard nothing back now in a couple of years... I even found out they were pretty much duplicating what looked like genuine critiques of work with the odd sentence changed to personalise to form... Leaves me not knowing if I can now move on or not though... Still for now I am working on old and new material to keep things moving and then if/when the time is right who knows... I'm no A grade student, and so my work tends to need editing somewhere along the line and I accept that, and over time am able to thrash it out and learn further as I go. Can't believe how far things have come already - if I'm honest I'd no idea even to how many different forms there were to poetry let alone techniques so there is always something new to learn... I think that's what keeps me coming back - a fresh thirst for something new... Nice to meet you, hope to see your works and thoughts on my writing! Kindest thoughts...

If you want to be published as a contemporary poet, the best thing you can do is get hold of a lot of what's being published at the moment and read. Lots and lots of reading. Along with the writing, of course.

Ros

Hi
Ant

We've "met" briefly on the boards, but let me just add another welcome here. Sound advice from Rosemary already with regards both the protocol of this site and the world of publishing. Sites like this are a good place to find your feet both in terms of how and what you write, and what you want to do with the work you produce, but I can't emphasis enough the point that Ros has made: Read, Read, Read!

Get stuck in. Enjoy.

B.

Thanks Ros, Ant and Brian your welcome and words appreciated. I do read an awful lot - so much is easily accessible with help of the web these days... and I'm looking forwards to my involvement here - already receiving some useful feedback and feeling like I can perhaps work with it too - so a good sign and a plus for the site! Now just tofind my way around... Might I ak here if anyone can tell me re editing how you re post a poem if you are going to edit ie which access tab do you go through please and do you copy and paste it over to make alterations? Many thanks... Kindest thoughts...

You just edit your original post and put the revision above the original. (There's a little edit button at the top right of each post). Leave previous versions there and it's easier for people to see what you've changed. You can also change the title line to add (edit) or something, so people know to look again.

Ros

Thanks Ros, thought there would be more to it than that if I'm honest - wasn't sure if it had to resubmit somewhere... Edit works good for me... Appreciate your taking time out to answer questions etc... Many thanks.

That's ok - easier if people ask and get it right! Though we're pretty relaxed about most things.

Ros