Talk:John Newton (poet)

Great new page - thinking about doing the references as a list and enabling the "names" of the citations to be used.
Hi all

this page looks great. Like the title above suggests, I am thinking of turning the references into a reflist|ref= format. Is anybody familiar with this process? The citation still gets entered - mostly with a template and always with a "name" - into the source, then copied into the list. The "name" can then be copied and back in the source text, the original citation can be deleted and the "name" pasted there with a little formatting. It keeps the source tidier and easier to read for editors but also allows the same reference to be used multiple times simply by cutting and pasting. It doesn't affect any citations are that added as usual; just gives the option of using the list and name.

I will go in and do the first reference this way so you can see it. Sorry, I haven't explained that very well! (talk) 03:51, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

Ah, ok I can see that the other format is used when the same citation is used; that works fine too. I like the above way though because it keeps the source uncluttered. No big deal. Only wanting to make it easier to editors to read the source material. If I have confused anybody, sorry! I do all my references in this way; not mandatory though. Realitylink (talk) 04:02, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

I have done a few. Realitylink (talk) 04:36, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

Hey, thanks! I was surprised he didn't have a page already. :) That seems like a helpful change -- I didn't know about this way of formatting references and it looks much tidier. --Chocmilk03 (talk) 09:56, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

All good. I always use this format like I said, even when I back-edit! It is important for editors to realise though that they can still enter references without using this format. Both live nicely together. The references for the page, by the way, are excellent.Realitylink (talk) 19:54, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

Possible section on his music?
I guess the name title of the article i.e. Poet, might be seen as a constraint on the content? But I know he is a recorded musician and perhaps, we can start a section about this? Renaming the page and changing the lede is an option as well. What do folks reckon?Realitylink (talk) 04:38, 5 December 2020 (UTC)


 * This also sounds like a great idea to me. The 'poet' tag is just there to disambiguate him from other John Newtons, definitely not intended to be a constraint on the content. I didn't actually know about his music, but I see it's mentioned in a few sources, so adding a section would be really helpful. :) I wouldn't suggest a name change though as he's still known mostly for his poetry and a single tag is preferred where possible (see WP:NCPDAB). --Chocmilk03 (talk) 09:56, 5 December 2020 (UTC)

Yep, agree, best not change the name - but ok to mention his music in the lede I reckon. It gets messy 'moving' pages and anyway, you are right, the word 'poet' is relevant. I know John personally so won't have much to do with the content of the page - happy to help around the edges! He only happened upon this page by chance he told me the other day and is pleased with it. I also know that he loves music and there is a link to his poetry here as he writes his own songs. I will have a look around for some references - perhaps from Simon Sweetman (https://thespinoff.co.nz/author/simon-sweetman/) or Nick Bollinger - that could get this section rolling. (talk) 19:54, 5 December 2020 (UTC)


 * Brilliant, thanks heaps for those sources -- I will take a look at them today and have a go. Am delighted to hear that he is pleased with the page! Chocmilk03 (talk) 09:43, 6 December 2020 (UTC)


 * Made a start -- any feedback welcomed! And thanks for flagging the podcast with Simon Sweetman, was a really great listen. Chocmilk03 (talk) 12:08, 6 December 2020 (UTC)

That is fine work with the music section, excellent references. Great stuff.Realitylink (talk) 20:27, 6 December 2020 (UTC)