Home » Poems » James Fraser » Names On Contests, Yuchers

Names On Contests, Yuchers

Once again I write what I think Include your name, hell that stinks It should all be read blind Just imagine the finds Leave the Judges purely in think <*> All contests should be read blind, unless a Workshop named!

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 6/18/2015 12:04:00 PM

I agree with you in theory, James, but we are all familiar with each other's styles in such a small community that many judges know the poet's work even without the name. I still agree with you though...we can always be surprised and that makes it more fun and fair! Hugs, Rhonda

James Fraser
Date: 6/18/2015 3:01:00 PM

Hi Rhonda, I'd rather be surprised any day. Olive asked me to assist in judging her first contest. I read through all the poems, and when the contest was judged, I smiled reading them again, and seeing who wrote them. To me that was a wow moment ~ hugs, James :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/17/2015 10:50:00 PM

I"ve always felt this same way as you from the first time I came to Soup. But some things just never change, James. In the end, it's all about what the judge wants to do.

James Fraser
Date: 6/18/2015 2:08:00 PM

No names, more gains for poetry would be the winner Andrea. Smiles from Bonnie Scotland, James :) :)

Casarah Nance

Date: 6/17/2015 8:02:00 AM

There is so much out there from poets that are not on the list tops, I agree a poem should be judged for it's product not the producer. But a name on a poem can be good if the judge wants to teach or correct poets before the time is closed, either way a judge should really comprehend a write and judge it by their own rules. It's a hard job for sure! Hugs xxx

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:48:00 PM

Having helped Olive with her first contest I totally appreciate how tough it is. Having no names allows all poets to enter contests, for many will not because names are requested. If any Judge requires to offer help to some, they can simply search the Soup, or Google, it's all out there. Just my thoughts, smiles, James xx

James Peranteau

Date: 6/16/2015 8:50:00 PM

James,...unbelievable that you posted this ! Recently I have entertained the exact thought, knowing...rather assuming(really believing) *smiles*, that if I posted under a ficticious name some writes of mine, that souls would know who was writing the poetry ! Awesome dear poet friend of mine ! Great minds think alike<~~~one of the few cliche's Which I use time to time. Have a beautiful week, you and yours James.....much love, james

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:37:00 PM

Aye 'Great minds do indeed think alike' You'll never need to post anything under a fictitious name for you have the talent in abundance to be invisible with other styles. A blessed day to you my poetry James, smiles always~the other James :) :)

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 6/15/2015 7:28:00 PM

Huge James, 100% I agree.. ~olive eloisa xxx

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:34:00 PM

Little one, (((( hugs )))) forever for you ~~James xxx

Tim Ryerson

Date: 6/15/2015 6:46:00 AM

Good morning James - Although I have never sponsored a contest (don't know how) if this dummy ever figures it out, I will DEFINITELY judge blind...Glad you wrote this fine limerick because it needed to be said...

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:29:00 PM

Top of the evening my time to you Tim. How are you? I haven't hosted a contest as yet, someday one day, and I already know the theme, and no names will be number one rule. A blessed day to you and yours, James :) :)

Diane Christian

Date: 6/14/2015 7:02:00 AM

Lovely write, Thanks for your kind comments on my poem i'll sing to my king, I carne play musical instument but I have now got a you tube Chanel with 4 videos of me singing some of my lyric poems/songs, God brought me out the boat, how awesome to step out in faith with child like courage, Thank you for all your support on all my poetry

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:23:00 PM

Your so welcome Diane, hugs // James :) :0

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/14/2015 1:30:00 AM

James, I have been saying this for years. There is such a pleasure in unveiling the winners and seeing who you have chosen, though there are always a few individuals whose style can simply NOT be replicated. Do you remember Linda Sweetheart? was one I always knew when it was her poem!!

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 2:03:00 PM

I loved Linda's poetry & I totally see when Judges judge, they see poetry so similar. Francine was the first to say this to me. Regarding names, to me it's a no, and if the above like our lovely Linda are so recognised, so be it. I'd rather try and change my style, to become less predictable. If a Judge needs to know relating to a rule, etc, Google/search here the poem, then Soup-mail, job done.

David Meade

Date: 6/13/2015 9:54:00 PM

You are the man!! Wise words and good council.

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 1:45:00 PM

I'm just me, but names required I don't like. If I see such requested I simply get on my bike. Blessed day to you Sir, James :) :)

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/13/2015 7:34:00 PM

GREAT IDEA MY FRIEND. Always believe the words should stand on their own, for good or bad.

James Fraser
Date: 6/17/2015 1:39:00 PM

I totally agree Robert, have a blessed day, James :) :)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/13/2015 5:59:00 PM

I think that is a good idea!

James Fraser
Date: 6/13/2015 6:04:00 PM

Thank you Richard, James :) :)

Jan Allison

Date: 6/13/2015 4:05:00 PM

I prefer no names on contests James but I still do enter those where names are required:-) Hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 6/13/2015 4:19:00 PM

you can say that again lol:-) hugs Jan x

James Fraser
Date: 6/13/2015 4:09:00 PM

Hiya Jan, I leave such to the individuals, but the Soup needs addressing in various ways - hugs, James xxxx

Francine Roberts

Date: 6/13/2015 2:59:00 PM

I used to always ask for the writers names on contest entries because that way I could get ahold of the 30% that did not follow the contest rules and tell them what they missed , what they did wrong etc, Now I really don't give two sh*ts, if they didn't follow the rules of the contest tough beans, they just won't place.... NIce limerick and I understand that a lot of writers feel that there is preference given to friends so they'd rather contests were nameless

Judy Konos
Date: 6/13/2015 8:31:00 PM

Francine, I remain like you use to be. I soup mail them advising that they rewrite as their poetry did not apply to the contest. Thus far they have and appreciated the contact. It takes a little effort but I feel so good when they rewrite and even win. CHEERS

James Fraser
Date: 6/13/2015 3:08:00 PM

Lovely to hear from you Francine. If names are to be included, they shouldn't be included in the ratings. This is one way to kill favoritism, if indeed it exists. To include names, allow them to be 'Workshop' orientated, with learning being the winner. This will add value to the Soup, just my thoughts......

Nette Onclaud

Date: 6/13/2015 2:46:00 PM

nice one, james... I'm blind, lol... ' different strokes for different folks'..huggs

James Fraser
Date: 6/13/2015 2:56:00 PM

I applaud whom host contests, this Highlander is long overdue about holding a contest. I will soon, having viewed such here on this terrific bowl which brews such creativity, there is absolutely no need for names to be attached. We learn after we make mistakes in life, poetry is mild to such, let such remain a workshop learning, and allow the blind to see and be surprised when they see :)