Find a Challenge Buddy (or Two ... or Three)

[glorybee]

Lillian, grammar and predictability are as much an issue in poetry as they are in prose. I've read many, many predictable poems, and many with errors in grammar. I'm sure that the judges are aware that poetry has its own conventions for syntax, punctuation, word usage and the like.

As far as the criterion "Does the entry start well"--that also applies equally to poetry, which must also hook its readers.

The judges probably look at rhyme, meter, poetic devices, etc., when applying the third criterion (How well crafted was this entry?).

When picking a Challenge buddy for poetry, be sure that you find one who 'gets' your style, whether it's traditional rhymed poetry or free verse, and you should be fine!

[lish1936]

Thanks, Jan

Faithwriters' is an awesome classroom, and it's nice to have you as one of its teachers; even though I often have to repeat the class.

Lillian

[LindaSG]

Deb,

I have a question that I know a couple of us are confused about.

Do we form into groups of 2-4 or more with all in the group
critiquing each other's work...
OR
does each individual writer have their own buddies
that only they share and critique with?

Because I have gotten individual buddy requests but
it doesn't seem apparent that any of them have requested the others.
I quite frankly don't know how all this is supposed to happen
or what the rules are
or how to handle this challenge buddy thing!

Blessings, Linda

[Deb Porter]

Hi Linda.

The idea is to join into groups of two to four. So if you have had a few requests, see if three of those people would like to join a group with you and the two others. That group then critiques each other's work (so if there are four in the group, you will each critique the other three members' entries--more work, but more feedback as well).

If there are more requests than there is room in your group, point these people to each other.

There are no rules with this. It's just make a group, write your entries, share your entries with each other, and then give each other feedback to help fine tune.

That's why I said for people to post their availability for a buddy group here on the boards, and for people to respond to that post if it sounds like a group they would like to belong to. So once you have a group of two to four people you are all set to go.

But like I said, no hard and fast rules. Just make a small group (however many you're comfortable working with for each topic) and then communicate via email to share your draft entries and provide feedback.

Members were actually doing this years ago, but it got out of hand (at that time) with people using multiple buddies each time, while other people didn't have any at all. So we had to rein it in. Now we just want members to have the opportunity to get input on their entries before they submit so they can grow and develop as writers. We also want them to be able to learn to critique entries to help them develop that skill as well.

Basically, though, if someone starts a thread about looking for buddies, then they really should be the person to join everyone together in that group. After that, though, it's up to the members of that group how they make it happen. So if someone starts a thread about starting a group, then they need to come back and let everyone know when they have enough members. That way, others can start another thread for a new group.

Love, Deb

[Anja]

Is it mandatory to be in a Buddy Group?

For me, it's "one more thing."
And I'd rather have the option to whip something up at the last minute without it "going before the board," so to speak.
And in the same way, finding time to complete MY share of the responsibility might be a huge issue, if someone were depending on me to critique their entry in time.

Not trying to be snarky, but if it's mandatory, I'm definitely out.

[RedBaron]

I doubt it's mandatory. I think it's just a way of allowing people to get more feedback. As long as you have an understanding with your buddies, I'm sure it'll be fine.

[lish1936]

I had some of the same "time" concerns. What is the likelihood of making the Challenge a bi-weekly event to go along with the new Buddy System, or is that suggestion too radical?

Lillian

[itsjoanne]

I had some of the same "time" concerns. What is the likelihood of making the Challenge a bi-weekly event to go along with the new Buddy System, or is that suggestion too radical?

Lillian

You already have two weeks to put it together. IS that what you're talking about, Lillian? Or do you mean having weeks to skip in the middle?

[Anja]

I doubt it's mandatory. I think it's just a way of allowing people to get more feedback. As long as you have an understanding with your buddies, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

Why do I need "an understanding with my buddies" if I *gasp-horrors* don't want any buddies in the first place?

Some seasons are busy here, even day to day, hour to hour. I don't want to have "buddies" that I'm going to let down because this week isn't going to work for me to read / critique their entries. Or next week. Or next month. But I might get a chance to do something the night before deadline. So my buddies see I entered, and oops, what happened? Ann submitted an entry but couldn't be bothered with us.

[glorybee]

Ann, it's not mandatory. Feel free to continue on as you always have.

[RedBaron]

I'm just saying if you want to have buddies, but sometimes things get busy, they should be understanding if you need to step out for a bit. I believe I also said "I doubt it's mandatory."

I doubt it's mandatory. I think it's just a way of allowing people to get more feedback. As long as you have an understanding with your buddies, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

Why do I need "an understanding with my buddies" if I *gasp-horrors* don't want any buddies in the first place?

Some seasons are busy here, even day to day, hour to hour. I don't want to have "buddies" that I'm going to let down because this week isn't going to work for me to read / critique their entries. Or next week. Or next month. But I might get a chance to do something the night before deadline. So my buddies see I entered, and oops, what happened? Ann submitted an entry but couldn't be bothered with us.

[Deb Porter]

Ann, Jan is right. The Buddy system is purely for people who want to be in a buddy group. No problem at all for those who don't want to be. It will be a great help for the people who want that sort of peer critiquing, but I know a lot of others prefer to work very much on their own.

Shari is also right with buddy groups. Although it's good if a commitment can be made to be in a group for one full period of the Challenge, there still has to be grace and flexibility in that. If someone can't participate for one topic, or more, then that's fine. That's why groups of three or four are probably better than just groups of two.

There's no pressure with this. It's just allowing members to get help if they want help before they enter, which is something we've vetoed for a long time.

Love, Deb

[Deb Porter]

I had some of the same "time" concerns. What is the likelihood of making the Challenge a bi-weekly event to go along with the new Buddy System, or is that suggestion too radical?

Lillian

Lillian, I'm just checking to make sure you know that each topic now runs for two weeks.

Love, Deb

[Anja]

Ann, Jan is right. The Buddy system is purely for people who want to be in a buddy group. No problem at all for those who don't want to be. It will be a great help for the people who want that sort of peer critiquing, but I know a lot of others prefer to work very much on their own.

Shari is also right with buddy groups. Although it's good if a commitment can be made to be in a group for one full period of the Challenge, there still has to be grace and flexibility in that. If someone can't participate for one topic, or more, then that's fine. That's why groups of three or four are probably better than just groups of two.

There's no pressure with this. It's just allowing members to get help if they want help before they enter, which is something we've vetoed for a long time.

Love, Deb

Ah, thank you, Jan, Deb, and Shari.

Shari, I know you said it wasn't mandatory, but then to have an understanding with one's buddies. I guess, to me, that sounded like we still had to sign up for buddies. Even with having an understanding of flexibility, I would just feel awful if I had to bail. Even once.

That being said, I wouldn't mind occasionally being a buddy.

[lish1936]

No, Jan and Joanne ( J. J. )

I didn't know about the change. Was it posted on another thread? What else I have I missed regarding the "changes?"

Lillian