Here's something TS Eliot said about it: "Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things."
It's nice to see people posting that they like poetry, but most people don't and I think it's because (at least here in the United Snakes) most people are taught to hate it in school. It's rare that most people end up with teachers who don't really like or even get poetry themselves and it ends up making a lot of people feel inadequate if they don't "get" what they're supposed to "get", like poetry is this arcane, coded message intended for an elite few. A number of other posters have said as much already.
LYFBUZ nailed another good point. The whole concept of Western education mainly focuses on going through the canon chronologically from much earlier periods, laying a practically foreign language that doesn't speak to students. If we introduced young people to poetry that had more to say to them about where they are in the world it would very likely trigger more interest in the old school stuff.
A poet I knew used to say it's only poetry, it's not about saving anyone's soul. He also used to say since no one's buying it, at least no one can ever accuse you of selling out.
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Frank_Lee
2 months ago
Fluid Male
Cyprus
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Active Ink Slinger
Quote by RumpleForeskin
From the old blind fart behind the bar at, Rumplations: Lush's leading den of literary iniquity and lost hopes of profitable publication, just one question regarding Frank Lee's suggestion. Why 1500 words?
BTW, it being Tuesday, there's a special going on over there featuring salted peanuts and beer. ;)
1500 words is still something that can be read in a "flash", and still provide a little variety for readers. It certainly doesn't mean every story has to be 1500 words. But as a reader, when I read something that's around this length or less it feels a little disappointing when you're settling in for a bigger story. As a writer, if I were to write something that was, say, 12 or 1300 words it feels a little weird to submit it as a full length story.
I'll have to make a point of stopping by the bar one of these days. Do I have to have a valid ID to get in?
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by Buz
As a mod, I'm not too keen on the idea. It would only work if we could choose to be shown online when we are available to help. Otherwise, we need privacy so we can read and verify stories, and also have time for our own chats, private reading time, private Lushing, etc., as we are members first, and volunteers.
You can already do this. All you have to do is go to the Lush Contacts page and the list of mods is right there. Those who choose to be visible will have the little green online message beneath their avatar. Honestly I think this is pretty brave. You make a good point about being members first, and as volunteers who are helping the rest of us, no one needs to treat mods like waiters and waitresses.
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by nicola
Easily done.
Would you like to put it to the vote?
It's a big challenge writing to 1000 words, hence the reason we did it.
But if it means more submissions and people like the idea, I'm all for the change.
Even at 1500 it should be a challenge. I'm glad to hear you like the idea. How/where would one put it to a vote?
Active Ink Slinger
I guess I should apologize and express my gratitude at the same time here. A huge thanks to the EP panel for awarding my little story. It came as a big surprise, as always, but even more so with Ruin, being such a quick read. Something like this just reminds me how fortunate I am to be able to enjoy such a great sense of community on Lush and to have the kind of audience that keeps you going even when you don't know if you can.
I also feel like I owe a massive thanks to everyone who takes a moment to comment on any of my stories. I'm not so good about clicking the like button or replying to each comment the way some writers are, even though everyone who comments deserves at least that much.
But to everyone: thanks from the heart.
I also feel like I owe a massive thanks to everyone who takes a moment to comment on any of my stories. I'm not so good about clicking the like button or replying to each comment the way some writers are, even though everyone who comments deserves at least that much.
But to everyone: thanks from the heart.
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Quote by Ping
Not really. I don't read nearly enough, or have the memory capacity, to remember how or in what 'style' someone has written.
I just try to use short sentences when I want things to read quickly, and long sentences when I don't know how to punctuate them.
However... I was experimenting with writing a poem in the Frank_Lee style. How hard could it be?
Fluidly ramble about something highly personal, peppering each line with obscure metaphors and evocative imagery, that somehow, someway,
relate to one another, and leaves one breathless and enlightened by the end. Also, ensure to have an highly relevant tag line like 'Rabid Fornication'
or 'Fluffy Bunnies' or 'Lovely Poultry'.And a wickedly keen sense of humor.
It can't be done. It is so damn hard. I don't have that capacity. If you haven't read his stuff, treat yourself to some fluffy bunnies.
I don't even know what to say about this, but thank you, I think, as if that covers it. I don't know why anyone would try emulating anything of mine. It's certainly flattering, and perhaps a little unsettling, but really if anyone were to set about stealing (and this kind of stealing...stylistic stealing...is a very good thing to do for a lot of reasons) it's better to steal from someone who's got something worth stealing. Like maybe Richard Hugo, Denis Johnson or Barbara Anderson. Those are a few of the people I steal from indiscriminately and without a shred of shame. And Pablo Neruda. In fact, the best thing is just steal from everybody.
It's good exercise for your writing skills to try writing in someone else's style. It's highly unlikely the result is going to come off as anything more than derivative because your voice is your voice is your voice, even if you don't think you've "found" it yet. The way you hear language and see what's around you is completely your own, and you can no more escape it than peel off your own skin. But exploring someone else's style can be a good way of getting past your comfort zone and finding new possibilities. Everything you read is going to filter down into whatever you write in some manner anyway.
As far as poetry goes: who gives a shit what it means? The only question that matters, really, is what does it feel like?
And the tags, well, who doesn't love a fluffy bunny? And why isn't there a fluffy bunny category on Lush?
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Quote by nicola
Sure, I have plenty of spare hours in the day. I'm sure I don't need to sleep either!
(I was referring to browncoffee's excellent post. She's your PR Professional!).
The day I get bored of reading stories with excellent plots, which are well crafted, and hot as a tin roof in summer, is the day I hand over the keys to LS to someone else. Any suckers out there who want to take it off my hands, erm, I mean ... what?
To be honest, when I read her write-up I wondered if she was talking about the same story, lol. I'll have to get her on contract.
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Quote by nicola
I was merely doing the rounds in the forums when I saw this was put up for an EP nomination. I had planned on heading out prior to the post, but then when I saw who the author was, I simply had to make myself comfortable, and start reading. When I did, boy was I hooked.
Few authors are able to suck you in to a story from the opening paragraphs. To bring characters to life in such a way that Frank does, takes real talent.
I loved this story, from start to finish. A thoroughly deserved EP.
Excellent write-up too browncoffee. Frank, do you need someone to help with your PR?
If you're not bored out of your mind with my stuff by now then there could be no higher compliment. Thank you for such gracious remarks. It really means a lot. And yes!!! You should know as well as anyone how much I suck at promoting my own stuff! lol Is this your way of saying you're looking for another project to take on?
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Quote by Buz
I am an avid follower of Frank Lee's writings. I am always in awe of his tremendous craftsmanship and ability to squeeze the most raw sensuality and intense physicality out of the erotic. He does this intertwined into outstanding plotted stories.
I have to say as a writer, Frank is an author that inspires me.
Read this story!
the feeling is mutual, Buz. As always.
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Wow, what an amazing commentary. I'd say it's actually better than the story! Thank you, Ms. Coffee, and my sincere thanks as well to all the members of the panel for taking their time to look at my story.
And I'd be remiss in not expressing my gratitude to all the readers who take their time to read any of my stuff, and especially those who vote and comment. I'm afraid I'm not so good about "liking" people's comments or replying to them, but I hope anyone who takes their time will know how deeply appreciated that is.
And I'd be remiss in not expressing my gratitude to all the readers who take their time to read any of my stuff, and especially those who vote and comment. I'm afraid I'm not so good about "liking" people's comments or replying to them, but I hope anyone who takes their time will know how deeply appreciated that is.
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Alan was a real gentleman. His good humor and sense of friendliness never faltered, and a look through the forums here are proof of how much time and attention he put forth to help others. He embodied the best qualities of not only what Lush is, but of human beings. His loss is not simply untimely, but profound.
