Dear Poets,
For those participating in the Poetry Marathon, now is the time to make sure that you are ready. This means being comfortable using the technology, as well as having a plan for the day of the marathon, so that you have the best chance of succeeding without any major hiccups.
Here’s a quick checklist of things you should do to prepare:
- Make sure you know how to post a poem in the Marathon. Once you’ve created your account, you will be able to log in to the dashboard here. Once you’ve reached the dashboard, click the button that says “Add New Post.” That will take you to the page where you can publish your poem to the site. Be sure to select “Private” if you don’t want the poem to be publicly visible. The poems will still be visible to other Marathoners.
- Make sure you know when The Marathon is starting in your specific time zone. The full Marathon starts at exactly 9AM ET on June 26th. That works out to 6am PT and 1pm GMT. You’ll be expected to write and post one poem per hour, so make sure you know when to start, so that you can participate with everyone.
- Make sure you have a plan in terms of the logistics, so that you can dedicate your time to writing. Make sure you have a plan for food, as well as potential interruptions.
- If you haven’t yet done so, join the Facebook Group. This is particularly valuable during the late-night hours of the marathon, when you may need an extra boost of camaraderie.
Also — keep in mind that we don’t expect anyone to comment on your poems during the Marathon. Comments on poems are encouraged a couple of days after the Marathon, once everyone has had a chance to rest and recover. When it is time to write the comments, please keep in mind that comments should be focused on positive feedback, and not on critiquing a piece.
If you’re in need of technical assistance, please ask on the Facebook Group and tag Jacob Jans, or by sending an email to poets@thepoetrymarathon.com. Keep in mind that we won’t be able to help once the Marathon starts. Ideally, you’ll have everything sorted out the day before.
— Jacob
Thank you, Jacob! This is practical, helpful advice. And the differing time zone reminders always helps! Wishing you a productive and happy marathon!
Thanks for the info, Jacob!
Happy rhymes; happy times.
– Laurie
My only question is how will the hourly prompts come to us, or where do we find them? Thanks in advance!
The prompts are optional, but you can find them by clicking on the “Prompts” link at the top of the main Marathon page. Here’s the direct link as well:
https://thepoetrymarathon.com/blog/author/the-poetry-marathon-prompts/
Oh my God! I’m in Hawaii. I was in Phoenix When I signed up for this – that means that I will have to begin at 3 AM. This is not good news not sure if I’m going to be able to do this now.
You can do it. Try to get some rest today and this evening and keep hydrated. Once you start the marathon, set an alarm to go off every hour, whether you feel tired or not because it can slip up on you and you raise your head and two hours have passed! You can do it, you are a writer so you need to do it. GO FOR IT HAWAII!! 🙂
I honestly don’t think it’s cheating to sleep through and catch up by writing several poems within a condensed period of time. It’s what I’ve done for the past several years. I’d start late, write until I caught up, putter around, write some more, go to sleep, wake up early and finish. Relax, Renae! The muses will speak!
As Janus says, it’s ok to sleep a few hours and then play catch up! Set an alarm though!!!!!! We actually have a lot of Hawaii based poets participating, some in their 7th or so year, so it is possible.
I’m bookmarking that prompts link in three…two…one…
I had to cancel my facebook account due to the extreme negativity it poured into life, so I’ll focus on the website and commenting here. THANK YOU! I’m signing off of work now so I can prep food, my pets’ food, get laundry done, and do those other “weekend” things that are just not gonna happen while I’m in “the writing zone” for 24 hours. Hooray!!!!!
Your mental health is very important! Good luck with everything!
My FB page was hacked to the point that I can’t retrieve it… both sad and happy. I was quick to block negative entities therein, so the negativity trolls didn’t phase me much. I can’t control what others want to believe (what an epiphany that was for me!). Yet, I miss my friends. Anyway, point being, me, too. I don’t have time to rebuild Facebook just yet, so it will be just here. Have fun with the marathon, Sandy! See you onboard.
You guys are so supportive! We’re in Hawaii on vacation and in a really neat Airbnb-geodome. For another 5 days. I’m writing my own story on my Freewrite Traveler. I’m a poet though so I will do this!! thanks everyone!!
I’m really glad!
Thank you for having me.
I should be sleep right now! Haha good luck to everyone! Goodnight
Thanks for the info. I’m getting the heebie-jeebies now!!!! All the best to everyone!
Hi I am Double-AA-battery, I’m 11 years old, and I am participating in the Half Marathon. This is my first time, I am quite excited as well as nervous about it.
And I was just wondering, if you all have any advice for me? Also… Happy writing
Sorry, I’m only seeing this now. We get a lot of influx during the marathon. I’m very much looking forward to reading your poems. I hope it went well!