Mentoring.

I brought this idea up ages ago, but I think I made it too complex and people seemed confused by it, so here is a simpler version.

I think it would be ace, and bolster community bonds etc, to have a mentoring system whereby poets who feel they have enough skill or experience could take on willing people who either like their poems or just want to learn their style...the reasons could be anything. The mentor could then set them little challenges and give feedback etc...kinda like a regular commentor and guide.

It would need volunteers though to get started, and of course only people who are dedicated on both ends should get involved. An idea like this could be amazing, but only if each person has the drive to keep it up.

I put myself forward as a Mentor...and if FTS Miles is about, I'd love him to mentor me in his style.

Kevin,

I think that is a wonderful idea. I know many people would be able to learn some vital skills if they only participated.

Sadly; however, I will not be able to participate due to personal reasons not related to the site.

I wish you much success on this and if this is still kicking once everything settles down with me then I might just jump on the wagon as a metoree... there are many styles that I would love to learn.

--Sher

Yeah!! this is an excellent idea. I wouldn't really call myself a mentor but i would love someone to help me with my poetry and set me challenges but yeh great idea :)

Great idea, I'm down. Or up. Maybe just right.

I'm not sure about sonnents but i am currently writing a critical analysis on one of Shakespeare's plays 'The Tragedy of King Lear'. Like you, i began hating Shakespears and had the belief that the real tragedy was the fact that it was still published. But on closer inspection i have become rather fond.

However i am afriad i must go to bed it is far to early in the morning.

It's doubtfull that there are enough "skilled" poets on this site

Wow terminal choice, you have such faith in your fellow writers.

Problem is also that probably some "poets" who think they know it all, are going to teach crap to people who want to learn , and i am someone who really wants to learn, but I have yet to come across one poet on this site that is actually good enough

Ah well Terminal, the thing of it is, some people are better at teaching a subject than they actually are at doing it, you know? I see this all the time with sports. I do fencing, and my instructor is a great teacher, but I kick his ass in matches...it's the same with writing.

But I get you, I don't think anyone is skilled enough to be a master teacher in here....still we can learn alot from each other there is no denying that.

I know I'm better at teaching than I am at writing, and I'm not half bad at writing.

There are plenty of wonderful writers on here. Plus, who has the right to categorize one writer as better than another? We have our own opinions. We as in each individual. Don't learn from someone you don't want to learn from.

Kevin, when did you start fencing? I fenced for a year, last year. I had to stop so I could work.

Not so long ago Jane, but I'm a natural so they tell me...good build for it too...wacky reach and really springy on my feet..

Whoa, terminal! Are you NuovoVesuvio reincarnated?

I remember this idea, Kevin. I wrote something in your thread last time, and I'm still interested. Don't know if I'd qualify more for a mentor or mentee role. Could I be both?

Ha well you could definately mentor all of us on polite debating Sibyllene my dear.

Like I said, offering to be Mentor is no indication of poetical skill, no bold statement, it's a willingness to assist just one person for a short or long period of time.

I'm surprised, given all the requests even I get for help in Pm's, that more people haven't signed up for this!

It will only work if people get involved, more people that is.

I am free to be anyones Mentor, you only have to ask and as long as I like the way you write or your poem topics I'll do it wholeheartedly.

That is an exellent idea

Sibyllene, I'm not sure what I can teach you, but I will certainly challenge you to try new things....

Would you like me to be your mentor for a while?

Say like maybe two weeks then we could swap over?

Sure, Kevin! Sounds like a plan. I can send you a PM sometime about what some things that I think I might need help on, at this point.

Good advice there Bob....

Well thats Sib and I paired up. I'm not in charge of this thing so you have to be proactive, it's part of the commitment deal I reckon..either offer yourself up as a mentee or mentor and get rocking.

think of the fun.

Whenever you are ready Sibyllene...

"that's basically what one needs to do in improving at anything, take a little here, a little there and incorporate it until you get alot."

that I agree with .
but isn't the point of this topic that you will take the most advice from just one person ?

I would love to be a mentee(is that a real word?)Do I pick someone? or do they pick me?

^not sure

but I would also love to be a mentee

Id love to be a mentee as well :) any1 willing to help lol

Hmm...The whole idea of mentoring is bringing the best abilities of one person from someon already experienced from that particular field.

What I think Kevin, is that although the idea is sound, the application would be a diaster...As you can see from the post made above me (by Bob).

I think that what you've made is a general concept which is that those that are actually "good" at poetry should mentor those that are "not good" at poetry.

My summation may seem black and white, but the truth is just that.

Oh well!!

Maybe mentors could work in groups, e.g 3 mentors for 5 students or so
Bob , I do get your point, but when a "student" someone who wants to learn get's together with a mentor ( as the first post suggest ) then isn't there a big chance that that student will narow his education to the views and knowledge of that one person ?

That may be a good idea, but what I think is, that each prospective member, would tell the style they excel at and how they would go about teaching their styles from different teaching prespectives. Such as writing a sonnet using words given to them etc...

What we need is prospective mentee's to state what style they are stuck or lack...And then we can pick two in two.

What we need here is 1 mentor+1 mentee or 2 mentors+1 mentee

I don't think the idea is that a student will take only the thoughts of their mentor, and no others. If that were to be the case then, yes, it might be a bad idea. But right now, worse than being influenced by only one other person, a lot of people are now stuck in only their own perspective. I think the idea is that if you have one mentor now, it will open you to some new ideas, and you are in no way restricted from picking up other ideas from other people along the way, and afterwards.

Well, that might be true :) but maybe that a lot of complex ideas end up forming an easy mentoring system , or poetry club or so

Briit has it right I feel.

This is not a complex idea that needs to be "worked out"...just do it. Find someone you admire poetically..or just like...the reasons are yours to decide...and just get together...make it work...or don't.

It's all up to you...I've got my mentee and mentor..so rock and roll kids...

So Sibyllene and I have paired up. Really guys, if you want to do this just ask one of the people who is looking too and get it going.

Really. Kev and I are happily skipping and frolicing in the meadow of our combined brilliance. Pair off - all the cool kids are doing it!

There is a lopsided mentee:mentor ratio here. Therefore, I offer myself as a mentor to anyone interested. Be warned: I'm mad. But this helps.

I'd also like to be a mentee. Who'll take me?

I'm a 24 yo Australian female who likes dancing, long walks on the beach, sunsets, trees, souls, moons, music, death, birth, mystery, metaphors and lots and lots of other things. Honestly, I have heaps and heaps of poetic potential.

I think my poetry needs more discipline. So that's what I'm looking for.

Erm, so anyone interested in responding to my ad?

I guess it comes down to Jane, JHarrison or david wilson, they are all the offers so far. I'm all yours.

Abby, you crack me up. This isn't the dating thread, missy ;)

Does that wink mean you can teach me something, Jane? ; )

Yo, david wilson. If hell was to fall upon me tomorrow, I'd write a poem about why the hell I must now write a poem. Writing about anything else when I'm so very close to hell would not give me the best view, and I'd be too hot.

And I'm all for free poetry, it is my preferred style, although style is probably not the right word. But even that needs discipline. I believe I could write better if I was more patient and respectful of various techniques, although a few poems turn out fine regardless.. So a mentor's challenge would be a great objective for this.

Like Tom Skeritt character in Top Gun, if no one else will mentor you [fly with you]Abby...I'll be your wingman mentor....

Seeing as Sibyllene is taking her sweet time witht ehe first challenge I set her...I reall enjoyed giving feedback on the competition poems...

S'up to you.

Good things come in good time, Kevin! : ) I'm getting there.

Challenge me, baby.

Sign me up, ill do either, i like teaching and im pretty good at poetry styles.

Any takers?