I find poetry workshops study more the theory and craft of writing poetry. I joined one in the past and found it to be filled with snobs who pretty much write bad poetry. Half of what they say can not even be understood. Their poetry consists of nothing more but verses of diarrhea metaphors. Hearing the opinions and critiques of other writers is a vital component of every creative writer's growth, however I find workshops don't take into count poetic licensing ;when they critique the submissions of members. They seem to be harsh and focus too much on the structure, style, and other elements of literature.
To be honest I don’t even think the types of poets who think they are teachers in the theory even look at the emotions put behind a poem. Many of these so called teachers have a toolkit for criticism. They pick apart your poem and when they are finished, you are not even left with your own thoughts. Workshops are just made of a bunch of writers who think they are expert critiques. One might look at me because I can’t spell to save my butt and my punctuation leaves much to be desired, however that is what I have an editor for. I am passionate about writing and spend hours putting my words on paper. To me that is what poetry is about.
I’m not interested in joining no work shop that is going to focuses on the craft of poetry: line breaks, stanza breaks, voice, persona, diction, syntax, and revision. I’m very content with administrating an online community that allows it’s writers a poetic license. I'm content writing free verse and creating a community of authors of poetry and prose. I'm dedicated in giving my members at Todays-Woman the freedom of art. My members are happy for they joined in a pursuit of their passion to just write. I want to run a community where experienced and aspiring poets may submit their poetry for critical commentary and discussion without being told how to write and having their poem picked apart until it is no longer theirs.
I don’t want to hand over control to a workshop and let them take it upon themselves to edit me or stylize me. I don’t want them to touch my style issues, I don't want someone editing my poetic voice, tone, or how I deliver my thoughts. I won’t do that to another person. Don’t do it to me. Feel free to just edit my spelling, mechanics, grammar and my bad typos. But leave my thoughts my own. You can have your poetry workshops. I have a poetry community that supports art and a style of writing that is my own. That is good enough for me.
