This Poem was Submitted By: James C. Horak On Date: 2012-06-30 13:57:38 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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My Policy as of.....

I respect the truth. Sometimes I withhold its too often brunt, but then sometimes I don't. I don't when I see that the person/poem suffers from a critical lack of it. Either about self or substance. Then I SELECTIVELY apply it where I think it will do the most good. This I truly believe is the task of good  criticism and what offers the most help for improvement. For poetry is where the mind and soul can sometimes meet for the greatest hope of both self-improvement and self-healing. Some of you here are nearing this understanding. Some of you never will.  But then I am not here for those in the latter category. With this in mind, I return to a policy I once had here. I will do critiques by request only. Truthful and penetrating ones to the very best of my ability. Be both assured and forewarned.  All of you matter to me. Just not all of your poetry.  JCH

Copyright © June 2012 James C. Horak


This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark D. Kilburn On Date: 2012-08-01 18:09:01
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hey James, I see a little bit of the fight now brewing or being played out and want you to know I appreciate your critiques and consider it a favor when you critique my stuff. I'm a little more thick-skinned than most but if we only give and recieve "FLUFF" critiques we cannot learn. I have a book on Kindle now, (Last Song, A True Lakota Love Story) and would have never written it if I hadn't joined the link some twelve years ago. I met several teachers, both Jo's and Mell Morris, Brenda Tate to name just a few. I watch as more and more leave and can only say that I personally pass on critiquing something that is what I precieve to be crap, however if I can offer any advice as far as grammer or flow or opinion that I think the writer could benefit from I'll say it. I am sure you are basically the same. I have never thought any of your critiques were mean or overly negative, quite the opposite for whatever it's worth. I just hate to see anyone leave but hey it's a personal choice, I've just gotten so much out of this site, I have had six poems published in local magazines and even got paid to write a cover poem for a blizzard out here inm 2003. Thanks James, mk


This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2012-07-07 17:43:26
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
James, I appreciate your honesty in regards doing critiques. I have long appreciated your reviews and am always pleased to recieve a review from you even when they have been un-flattering--at least I am given the courtesy of being treated as a writer who hopefully can take direction and input when it comes to my work. Please continue to review my work when it is available. Thanks, Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: Ellen K Lewis On Date: 2012-07-07 13:05:32
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
LOL James! It seems you are back :) I can aprreciate a negative critique (occasionally) and if you do read my stuff I hope that you will find at least ONE positive thing and then blow it apart if you will...dont care...so long as you are truthful. Everybody has the right to share an opinion. I dont like to think that none of my stuff would suit you! Its not very dramatic or anything. I am not here to change the world. I am hear to write. Thats what we are all about. Dont care if you are a friend or not; in fact you arent exactly a 'friendly' kind of guy. But you can read all of my poetry and judge it fairly as I know you will. Ellen
This Poem was Critiqued By: cheyenne smyth On Date: 2012-07-03 17:30:36
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi JCH, Just want you to know you can critique my poems as you wish. Your suggestions and toughts of how my writing affects you is a breath of air to me. Best wishes, cheyenne
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2012-07-01 00:07:22
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 5.50000
Mary, I don't ordinarily respond to the little barb s thrown out from time to time due to those whose representation of the truth is so skewed. Suffice to say, however, this is especially egregious. Here is what I sent Cheyenne, acting in my own defense: JC - I merely asked you why you had been sharp tongued with Andrew because he was the third person I shared credits with - the other two came and left and I knew as soon as I read what you said to Andrew he would leave as well. Along with the fact that you have again said things to Cheyenne against me. Do you think I sit and read the poetry for the count? No - I read everyone's work because I enjoy it JC - I don't skip poems if they are not up to my liking. That would not be fair here by any means. This is why I say -you have driven poets from this site and you don't mind doing it. Duane bluntly told me he left because of you and the list goes on - You can not be approached no matter what anyone says to you. You had such angst with me on the other website for no reason except perhaps the truth hurts. JC take TPL - please? and leave me alone. I spend my time quietly, I am passive, kind and generous and I certainly have never been told that I verbally attack anyone for any reason in life. You have truly bent the truth made it seem like you did nothing wrong - but JC - I've never meant to drive poets away - and I told you - you were on a mission as if it was one of your purposes in life to do so. You win dude....I give up. Say what ever you want now - you want to rule the world around you with your words - Do it........ Cheyenne, I think you ought to know that no one has maligned Deni. She went off the deep end with me over my critique of Mr. Slick's, Her Name was New Hampshire, claiming I was responsible for driving away poets from TPL. She came onto FaceBook to do this. When I politely explained myself and suggested we had a different philosophy of critiquing (hers to draw in count and mine to tell the truth) she unresponsively continued in this vein until I simply asked her, "don't bother me anymore". When she wouldn't stop, I unfriended her. Then she carried on this crap in a jab at my latest poem. I simply responded, "you can't leave your personal problems out of anything,can you?" That is the whole of it. JCH
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