On Poetry On Vocal
Observations
Introduction
I am wondering how to present this without sounding like a whiny complainant, but because I am not popular with Vocal or Creators, it will come across as that, whatever I say.
This is a two-year-old piece on how Top Stories are chosen
I don't miss out on any of their requirements, but I do feel they have a favoured creators list which they, of course, don't mention and would deny exists, but when you see people who haven't dropped stories for a while get Top Stories within hours of publication, that implies favouritism.
So What Have I Observed?
In the last twelve Top Stories in Poetry on Vocal, only one was not free form, and that is this one (indicated in the main image):
This was an excellent series of rhyming quartets with a great image for the poem.
This is not a denigration or criticism of free-form poetry. I find it difficult because I prefer to have a framework to work in, and feel that if I do not have a form, rhyming and a consistent number of syllables per line, I feel that what I am doing is wrong. That is my opinion of what I do.
When you submit your poem, you are given the options of Acrostic, Sonnet, Villanelle, Pantoum, Ekphrastic (though this is not a form but what the poem does), Sestina, and a few more that I will check when I submit this.
I now have five forms that I use
- Terza Rima (Thanks Calvin)
- Sonnet
- Villanelle
- Pantoum
- Sestina
I almost feel that bars me from a Top Story or challenge placement; however, my latest book, my collaboration with Angie Livingstone, which is selling very well and has made a lot of money in royalties, contains examples of all these forms of poetry.
Readers do like these poetic forms; I know from the comments that are left on them. A few other creators feel the same as I do about this, but the only time Vocal acknowledges forms is in their Challenges, and usually it is a haiku to generate a lot of entries (though to write a perfect haiku is very difficult or diffic, as Doctor John Cooper Clarke says). Vocal now won't accept images, so here is that poem
“To freeze the moment
In seventeen syllables
Is very diffic
- Haiku No. 1”
We can suggest subjects for challenges, so maybe a poetry challenge using one of our favourite forms:
Conclusion
I was thinking of submitting this to Poets and concluding with a poem, but really, it is a critique, so I will drop it there.
Thank you for reading. I really appreciate it.
About the Creator
Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
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Comments (16)
Kudos on the HM Mike. What? I thought you were one of the favorites and well loved. Poetry which are not free verse addles my brain. I tend to avoid them. Congrats on your books.
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Well done on the HM in the Leaderboard. Also, gave you a shoutout here - https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/narcissus-in-candlelight-0cdhv012h%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I prefer to write rhyming poetry and enjoy working with various forms, although I occasionally write free form. I owe my introduction to some of the forms I've tried to you.
Well said, Mike. "I find it difficult because I prefer to have a framework to work in," - agree entirely. I have tried freeform poetry, but I always seem to default to some format or rhyme. I am convinced it is because I am OCD.
One of the new challenges is a Villanelle one. It's your forte hehehehe. I've still not tried writing a Villanelle as it still terrifies me. I've written poems that uses formats, like Crown Cinquain, Butterfly Cinquain, Limerick, etc. But I think I'm more comfortable with free verse. Sometimes I feel too overwhelmed when the form is too restrictive or has a lot of conditions
Lol. You some kinda oracle or something, Mike? https://shopping-feedback.today/resources/introducing-the-fall-poetry-series%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E I know they've not covered all styles, but there is a Sonnet and Villanelle challenge at the very least.
It’s no secret that when it comes to writing poetry, I prefer free verse. It’s just easier for me to express myself that way. I’m even one of those top stories that you were talking about (thanks again for that nomination, Mike). Still, I like reading a variety of forms, and I think that Vocal should represent a variety of forms. It’s like if they only chose poems on a specific topic for top story; it’d get very boring to read after a while, not to mention it would be unfair. Well written, Mike.
This is going to shock anyone that knows how much I abhor rhyming in poetry (which is part, just wanting to avoid the obvious rhymes and also just so I let my words flow), I actually think you have a point. In so much as, it would be nice if there was a greater representation of the different styes of poetry covered by many different people on the platform. Then it'd feel fairer and also be a great way to introduce people and share with people the many different styles. I often deviate from traditional forms, cos that's my wheelhouse, so always go a bit experimental, but I adore the process of wriitng something in a traditional form and when it's pulled off accurately - it's beautiful. Incidentally, my next solo book will be a mix of senryu and stream/free verse poetry. So there will be longer pieces and shorter pieces so people can pick and choose how they venture into it. That was just a self-promotional aside lol. I loved this though and do think you have a point. I definitely think they should continue making strides to cover more forms in challenges, and not just fall back on the easier ones like haikus/senyrus or "rhyming poems" etc. That's if Vocal wants to be seen as a legit writing platform. Especially as Poetry is one of the most published in communities on here, I think (you'd probably know better, but I imagine it's poetry or fiction) Well done, Mike! So even from a non-traditionalist (who still likes challenging himself to a trad form now and then) who doesn't really like rhyming, you have my backing! It also was handled nicely and you didn't come off as a whiny complainant! As if, good sir! :D
I do remember in your previous published piece, you said that you are not comfortable with others feeling sad or taking pity. (Paraphrasing) I am a loving person and will fall under these sometimes. I will try to make you feel comfortable with my next few lines. Or many lol. I will say. What you have seen, might very well be true. I have seen the requirement for top story when I first signed up. I did believe that once you follow it, you would get a top story, or at least there's a chance of it. Sad to see that those who aren't being consistent, getting the star right away when they do come back around. I do understand your stance on having a framework and how that works best for you. From experience, I know those take a bit more effort than freeform. Both are hard to put together, but the ones you and I do. Take A LOT of effort. A poetry challenge using one of our favourite forms sounds like a fantastic idea Mike. 🤗❤️
Interesting, I hadn't noticed that. I really feel it out as far as forms. I tend to go for experimental, and since only specialized poetry journals will even look at that, I mostly slap them up here. Every publication has these quirks, and I like to think of Vocal as a publication. This is really good information to have. If you don't know what a pub wants, you aren't going to get published, in this case, Top Story. If that's what you are looking for. And I think we can all admit we want that at least on occasion. 👏👏👏
less than a minute ago I completely resonate with what you're saying! I see SO much free verse. And there's nothing wrong with that at all, but for my own personal work I like rhythm. I have enjoyed the free verses I have read on here and I'm definitely not throwing shade. It's just my personal writing style ☺️ I would love to see a challenge like the one you e suggested! I also agree that vocal plays favorites 😣😣 I am in no way saying the winners of things are not good writers but I also wish some of the smaller creators would be mentioned more often. I dig through pieces to find things that seemingly aren't getting the attention they deserve and it's how I've found some of my personal favorite creators. Thank you for featuring my poem 🙏
I always learn from your work, Mike. I haven't received a TS in many months and could be a year or so since I had my last one. Good work.
Your observations are always enlightening, Mikeydred! I'm fond of the sonnet and I would be glad to see a challenge based on that form emerge. I have also been struggling to improve my haikus and senryūs, so a challenge encouraging the use of those forms would be welcome, though there have been a few of the latter since I joined this community.
I always learn something new when I read your work. You notice so much on Vocal I miss. I agree that I would like to see more types of poetry get recognition. However, I've also been playing with free verse a lot lately and find that to write a good free verse poem is a lot more challenging than it seems. But I do agree I would love to see Vocal give more specific requirements for poetry challenges. I like it when the challenges force me to push my skills. Thanks for yet another thought provoking story.
With you on using forms---not as easy as it seems to express your ideas within,say, a 5-7-5 format. If there's a challenge to use poetic forms, I'm in.