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Less Poetry MAG

April 19, 2011
By Cameron Trostle BRONZE, Phoenix, Arizona
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Cameron Trostle BRONZE, Phoenix, Arizona
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I am a high school junior who recently started reading Teen Ink. I would not consider myself to be a great writer by any means. I probably will never get any of my pieces published, but I still enjoy writing in hopes that one day I will. Being published in Teen Ink is an honor that should be awarded to only the best writers and artists.

I have noticed that you choose to publish a lot of poems. By publishing all of these I feel that Teen Ink is, in a way, giving out the opportunity to be published too easily. In no way am I trying to be disrespectful of the ­poets. I just feel that many more teens are writing better essays and stories, both of which I believe take more skill and time to create. Sometimes these poems seem quite elementary and quickly written. I think readers would rather see more essays and stories.

Please consider cutting down on the ­number of poems to preserve Teen Ink’s ­prestigious reputation for publishing skillful writers.

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This article has 8 comments.

leafy said...
on Sep. 27 2011 at 4:55 pm
leafy, City, Other
0 articles 0 photos 682 comments

Favorite Quote:
Gil: I would like you to read my novel and get your opinion.&nbsp;<br /> Ernest Hemingway: I hate it.&nbsp;<br /> Gil: You haven&#039;t even read it yet.&nbsp;<br /> Ernest Hemingway: If it&#039;s bad, I&#039;ll hate it. If it&#039;s good, then I&#039;ll be envious and hate it even more. You don&#039;t want the opinion of another writer.&nbsp;

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Everyone who has read this, and agrees with it, please look at my reply to this letter, "Less Poetry?!" at h t t p ://teenink. c o m/hot_topics/letters_to_the_editor/article/366634/Less-Poetry/
leafy said...
on Jul. 21 2011 at 7:47 am
leafy, City, Other
0 articles 0 photos 682 comments

Favorite Quote:
Gil: I would like you to read my novel and get your opinion.&nbsp;<br /> Ernest Hemingway: I hate it.&nbsp;<br /> Gil: You haven&#039;t even read it yet.&nbsp;<br /> Ernest Hemingway: If it&#039;s bad, I&#039;ll hate it. If it&#039;s good, then I&#039;ll be envious and hate it even more. You don&#039;t want the opinion of another writer.&nbsp;

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cameron, if you look at the amount of poems submitted and the number in the magazine, it is a pretty good ratio. i can't believe you guys are mostly agreeing with him, in no way is it easier to publish poetry, it says it all over this site! it some ways, its easier to publish essays, especially in the community service and travel sections.
PJD17 SILVER said...
on May. 23 2011 at 7:25 pm
PJD17 SILVER, Belleville, Illinois
8 articles 0 photos 624 comments

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I do the best imatation of myself- Ben Folds

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i couldnt disagree more, and frankly i cant believe that all these people agree with your opinion   im fine with you thinking that there should be less poetry because you like short stories more, but it is absolutly not true to say that it takes less skill to write poetry    bad poetry maybe, but good poetry takes  time and effort  i dont consider myself a poet by any means, although i do dabble with it occasionally  but it certainly isnt easy  and if you are doing somthing that is really meaningful than it takes time as well  im sorry i ranted a little bit,  i really didnt mean anything by it  you are right that they perhaps choose a few poems that really shouldnt be in there, but that doesnt mean they should publish less poetry, they should just publish better poetry  like some of mine........... just kidding   but seirously, sorry if i came off a little bit mean, and congradulations on having this published in the magazine it looks like you got your wish after all
--faux.hope BRONZE said...
on May. 19 2011 at 10:30 am
--faux.hope BRONZE, New York, New York
3 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t tell me that the sky&#039;s the limit when there are footprints on the moon. ~

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Brittbyheart, everyone has a different view of art. That morning of toast and hearty orange juice may be pure idiot-icy to one, but to the next it may warm your heart and touch your soul. I'm not saying I would enjoy those two paragraphs, but keep an eye out for different types of art 

Now, I'm in agreement with this article. However, I think svds is right;;perhaps they want a range of work, to show that you don't have to write perfectly in order to be published.

TheJust ELITE said...
on May. 14 2011 at 5:29 pm
TheJust ELITE, Ellenton, Florida
254 articles 202 photos 945 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I feel that a hero is somebody who will stand up for their values and what they believe in and that can take any form. People that have values and have thought them through rather than those who just do what they&rsquo;re told.&quot;-Skandar Keynes<br /> <br /> &quot;When it&rsquo;

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I completely agree. Some of the poems I read and think "Wow, that was the best thing I've ever read" but others it's like, "And what was the point of that?" 
RacieeRaeRae BRONZE said...
on Apr. 28 2011 at 2:12 pm
RacieeRaeRae BRONZE, Choose A Digital Video Camera, Texas
1 article 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;How can you save me, when I am angry&quot; -Lights, Second Go.

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I agree, yet disagree at the same time. I completely see where you're coming from. They could be more critical when chosing which poems to publish.
svds said...
on Apr. 22 2011 at 10:36 pm
Totally agree. But, what if it's really because they want a range of beginners to pros?? That could be it, but I do agree, when you've seen unbelievable poetry written, then see what was actually published was trivial and pales in comparison, it really isn't cool!!
Brittbyheart SILVER said...
on Apr. 21 2011 at 11:02 am
Brittbyheart SILVER, Yucca Valley, California
6 articles 9 photos 44 comments

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No matter what you do in life, in the end, the only person that will take impact is you.

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I could not agree more! I have seen storie and art work and poetry that has touched my heart, but never get known. And the silly, two paragraph essay about whAt youate that morning DOES get puplished. Its madness