Seven Layered Rant
The Crown of Heroic Sonnets 3 contest entry50 total reviews
Comment from tinlight
Interesting rant. Just dropping in to see what my fellow contestants have entered, and this seems to be unique. I agree with a lot of it, although you have to recognize that art and popular appeal never were, are or will be synonymous. Know your audience and learn what you need to from their reaction, rather than whinging over "unfair" contests. Let's face it, Harry Potter will always get more points in a popularity vote than Paradise Lost! I have to disagree with you on author notes: they're sometimes essential for a wide variety of reasons, and it's unfortunate that few reviewers take the time to read them. One of my early FS posts was a story in which I viewed myself as a middle-aged woman through a young woman's eyes. This was clearly explained in the author notes, yet I was taken severely to task for the sin of "ageism". I thought that was hilarious! Since you aspire to elite recognition, just a couple of SPAG issues you should attend to here: I, line 5, "some choose not see"? Poetic license and scansion allows some bending of grammatical rules, but an English verb's infinitive needs "to"; IV, line 8: "rules WERE not applied".
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Interesting rant. Just dropping in to see what my fellow contestants have entered, and this seems to be unique. I agree with a lot of it, although you have to recognize that art and popular appeal never were, are or will be synonymous. Know your audience and learn what you need to from their reaction, rather than whinging over "unfair" contests. Let's face it, Harry Potter will always get more points in a popularity vote than Paradise Lost! I have to disagree with you on author notes: they're sometimes essential for a wide variety of reasons, and it's unfortunate that few reviewers take the time to read them. One of my early FS posts was a story in which I viewed myself as a middle-aged woman through a young woman's eyes. This was clearly explained in the author notes, yet I was taken severely to task for the sin of "ageism". I thought that was hilarious! Since you aspire to elite recognition, just a couple of SPAG issues you should attend to here: I, line 5, "some choose not see"? Poetic license and scansion allows some bending of grammatical rules, but an English verb's infinitive needs "to"; IV, line 8: "rules WERE not applied".
Comment Written 28-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2012
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Hey tinlight, hi. Thank you for the excellent review and for pointing out the WHERE goof. 322 people read the thing and you're the only one to point it out. Yeah, I tried to cram 'to' in that line but just couldn't pull it off, lol. The author note thing was really more for these short contests like senryu or a nonet. When we only have so much room to work with I don't think it's fair when someone has to add a paragraph worth of explaining to tell us what their 17 syllables meant. That's where that was really directed. I know we need to play to the audience for votes. I just couldn't come up with anything else to write 7 sonnets about, haha. I really did it more for my own enjoyment. Just to see if I could pull it off. I had more but could only use 7, lol. Thank you again for the great review,tl. I really appreciate the gracious stars. Have a great New Year /Ron
Comment from Galactia
This is an excellent entry into the crown of sonnet contest.
It's a message well said and well recieved. perfect rhyme scheeme of ABab CDcd EFef Gg-
Great job and GL in the contest
Regards
Tia
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2012
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This is an excellent entry into the crown of sonnet contest.
It's a message well said and well recieved. perfect rhyme scheeme of ABab CDcd EFef Gg-
Great job and GL in the contest
Regards
Tia
Comment Written 01-Dec-2012
reply by the author on 01-Dec-2012
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Thank you so much for the kind review, Tia. I dearly appreciate the gracious stars and good luck wishes. I'm glad you liked my lengthy rant, lol. Thank you again. /Ron
Comment from Warren Rodgers
Hi Ron, Great writing here my friend, I am amazed that you did not repeat any rhymes! You are such a gifted and skilful writer, it is always a pleasure to read your extremely well written poems and this is certainly no exception. I agree with most everything you say about FS, prompts, and some contests. I am amazed that you were able to sustain your fervor through seven sonnets and hold my interest. I don't think there is a writer here who does not want to change something on FS and I think it is a shame that the site is setup to reward quantity over quality. As far as members voting in contests, it often seems to be based more on fanlists then the quality of the writing. I truly think the value of fanstory is in connecting to writers and reviewers you respect and trust and exchanging reviews with them. To me, all the rest is just flash and frivolity. Outside of Fanstory, even the contest wins would be without value or merit. Your writing is always such high quality that you could be entering contests on other sites which pay real dollars. AS much as I have enjoyed your crown of sonnets, I'd much rather read something more profound or thought-provoking, funny, or sad, which I know you can do. There is no changing FS, we can only change out tactics. Good luck to you in the voting booth, my friend.
Best regards, Rodger
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2012
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Hi Ron, Great writing here my friend, I am amazed that you did not repeat any rhymes! You are such a gifted and skilful writer, it is always a pleasure to read your extremely well written poems and this is certainly no exception. I agree with most everything you say about FS, prompts, and some contests. I am amazed that you were able to sustain your fervor through seven sonnets and hold my interest. I don't think there is a writer here who does not want to change something on FS and I think it is a shame that the site is setup to reward quantity over quality. As far as members voting in contests, it often seems to be based more on fanlists then the quality of the writing. I truly think the value of fanstory is in connecting to writers and reviewers you respect and trust and exchanging reviews with them. To me, all the rest is just flash and frivolity. Outside of Fanstory, even the contest wins would be without value or merit. Your writing is always such high quality that you could be entering contests on other sites which pay real dollars. AS much as I have enjoyed your crown of sonnets, I'd much rather read something more profound or thought-provoking, funny, or sad, which I know you can do. There is no changing FS, we can only change out tactics. Good luck to you in the voting booth, my friend.
Best regards, Rodger
Comment Written 24-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2012
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Hey Rodger, hello. Thank you so much for the kind review, friend. Yeah, I don't know why this dumb idea came in my head when I saw this contest. It's just that I've been disappointed with what's passing as wins lately. I really did it more just to challenge myself. I wanted to see if I could write a rant but try to make it all come our poetically. I had a couple more complaints I could have added but I was only allowed to put seven, lol. Can you point me in the direction of other sites that pay real cash. I'm a member of a couple sites that holds contests but most of the ones I enter only pay out once or maybe twice a year. I've sent in a couple that wanted book length stuff but I'm waiting with crossed fingers to see how they go.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. We had my ol' lady's son and his family and her mom come to visit for a few days. Sorry about the late reply if it's been on here a couple days. I really appreciate the generous sixer, Rodger. I'm humbled. Next time I'll go a little more serious route with it. Have a good one, R. /Ron
Comment from Eternal Muse
Oh, my friend,
This is such a great poem. The subject matter is sad but prevalent. Yes, regretfully, there is a lot of favoritism going on with contests, and non-blind contests are often won on a popularity rather than on merit basis. It's tougher with blind ones. Fans don't get notified and often no one knows who wrote the blind poem - thus the judging on it is more fair.
On the merit, this crown is exceptionally well done, with flawless meter, flow, cadence and that perfect iambic pentameter. Some lines started with stressed words, but I'll keep it between us (lol). I couldn't give it anything less than six. Your presentation is superb, as is the color scheme.
It's hard to pick favorites, but this caught my eye:
We seldom reach the heights of well received
A hefty goal that most can not ignore
But how can once a six star is achieved
The piece be sorely wounded by a four?
A superb piece, my friend. It is really a crown of "heroic" sonnets, as it takes a brave one to voice this (lol).
Good luck, love, Y.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2012
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Oh, my friend,
This is such a great poem. The subject matter is sad but prevalent. Yes, regretfully, there is a lot of favoritism going on with contests, and non-blind contests are often won on a popularity rather than on merit basis. It's tougher with blind ones. Fans don't get notified and often no one knows who wrote the blind poem - thus the judging on it is more fair.
On the merit, this crown is exceptionally well done, with flawless meter, flow, cadence and that perfect iambic pentameter. Some lines started with stressed words, but I'll keep it between us (lol). I couldn't give it anything less than six. Your presentation is superb, as is the color scheme.
It's hard to pick favorites, but this caught my eye:
We seldom reach the heights of well received
A hefty goal that most can not ignore
But how can once a six star is achieved
The piece be sorely wounded by a four?
A superb piece, my friend. It is really a crown of "heroic" sonnets, as it takes a brave one to voice this (lol).
Good luck, love, Y.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2012
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Thank you so much for the kind review and the gracious sixer, Yelena. And for sponsoring the contest. I had fun with it. It's been a while since I put my brain to work this much, lol. Yeah, here lately I've been slightly disappointed with what I see winning in the booths, so I figured I'd go this route with it, lol. I dearly appreciate the generous rating. I'm humbled. I'm glad you liked the piece. Thank you again. /Ron
Comment from Mrs Happy Poet
This is very well written my friend you have accomplished this difficult form very well ,this reads strongly expressing your thoughts and feelings well regards Jill
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2012
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This is very well written my friend you have accomplished this difficult form very well ,this reads strongly expressing your thoughts and feelings well regards Jill
Comment Written 17-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2012
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Hey Jill, hello. Thank you so much for the kind review and the gracious sixer. Here lately I've been slightly disappointed with what I'm seeing in the booths, so figured I'd just go with that, lol. I dearly appreciate the generous rating, J. I'm humbled. I'm glad you liked the piece. Thank you again. ;) /Ron
Comment from Maureen's Pen
This is one hell of a rant and so bloody well penned. I know for sure I wouldn't have the ability to pen such a work. It's long, and yet you're still holding to the power of the piece.
Excellent rhyme throughout and more over it makes the reviewer think. Not only on reviewing but also as a writer and user of this site.
Don't have the technical knowledge to comment but top notch from my angle.
Excellent work to read and reflect over.
Thanks for sharing and good luck in this contest.
You've an excellent submission here DS!
Maureen
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2012
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This is one hell of a rant and so bloody well penned. I know for sure I wouldn't have the ability to pen such a work. It's long, and yet you're still holding to the power of the piece.
Excellent rhyme throughout and more over it makes the reviewer think. Not only on reviewing but also as a writer and user of this site.
Don't have the technical knowledge to comment but top notch from my angle.
Excellent work to read and reflect over.
Thanks for sharing and good luck in this contest.
You've an excellent submission here DS!
Maureen
Comment Written 16-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2012
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Hey Maureen, hello. Thank you so much for the kind review. I drive a truck all over Florida for a living and that gives me plenty of time to think about what to write. I've been a little disappointed in what I see passing for wins on here lately, so I figured I'd go this route, lol. I dearly appreciate the gracious stars and good luck wishes. I'm glad you liked the piece. ;) /Ron
Comment from juliedickson55
Nicely done.
I wasn't too familiar with this style of extended sonnet, used to 14 lines, so I went to read the requirements, which it seems you have complied with.
Sorry, I have no 6 to give you, but I have a 5.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Nicely done.
I wasn't too familiar with this style of extended sonnet, used to 14 lines, so I went to read the requirements, which it seems you have complied with.
Sorry, I have no 6 to give you, but I have a 5.
Comment Written 16-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Thank you for the great review, Julie. I really appreciate the gracious stars and 6 offer. I'm glad you liked the piece.
Comment from cvcopac
Excellent sonnet form throughout, displays a practiced skill as well as intelligent thought and presents a good solid argument too. These babies don't come easy, do they? Nice work and good luck in the contest. cvc
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Excellent sonnet form throughout, displays a practiced skill as well as intelligent thought and presents a good solid argument too. These babies don't come easy, do they? Nice work and good luck in the contest. cvc
Comment Written 16-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Thank you for the great review, cvc. Yeah, they're no easy task to pull off. I really appreciate the generous stars and good luck wishes. I'm glad you liked the piece. /Ron
Comment from MidnightWriter4U
WOW! Da Duh Da Duh Da Duh-----perfect rhythm and syllable count. Points made very clear in a well written, perfectly described manner. Artwork is great! Fits this work. I especially liked this verse: "So harshly devastating is the blow To watch your six star rating slowly die Degraded by some simpleton or foe Without a valid reason as to why". Rhyming scheme creates the perfect flow. SUPER JOB!!!
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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WOW! Da Duh Da Duh Da Duh-----perfect rhythm and syllable count. Points made very clear in a well written, perfectly described manner. Artwork is great! Fits this work. I especially liked this verse: "So harshly devastating is the blow To watch your six star rating slowly die Degraded by some simpleton or foe Without a valid reason as to why". Rhyming scheme creates the perfect flow. SUPER JOB!!!
Comment Written 16-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Thank you so much for the kind review and the gracious sixer, Midnight. At first I had another pic there but went searching for a better one and came across this and just had to use it. I dearly appreciate the generous rating. I'm humbled. I'm glad you liked the piece. Thank you again. /Ron
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You are welcome. A very well done poem. MN :)
Comment from EMB
LOL Wow. This speaks volumes, literally. I take it this was inspired by an "imbalance in the force." At least, as you seem to feel it. This is an incredible piece of work. And I must agree that the day when nursery rhymes outshine greats like Poe and Frost, we should probably head for the hills. LOL
A most eloquent rant-like piece of poetry, my friend. :)
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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LOL Wow. This speaks volumes, literally. I take it this was inspired by an "imbalance in the force." At least, as you seem to feel it. This is an incredible piece of work. And I must agree that the day when nursery rhymes outshine greats like Poe and Frost, we should probably head for the hills. LOL
A most eloquent rant-like piece of poetry, my friend. :)
Comment Written 15-Nov-2012
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2012
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Thank you for the great review, Edward. I really appreciate the generous stars. I'm glad you liked the piece. /Ron