So, what's to be done?

[cantdog]

Okay, then. I guess I don't get it. Authors got five boards on poetry crit, lit crit, story feedback, poetry feedback and editing issues, and then there's the Story Ideas board and the AH.

What was the AH and why was it a good idea on top of six other boards about authorly stuff?

And what the hell is wrong with the art segment here? The site SAYS they have a section called Erotic Illos (listed along with everything else on the Index page.)
That section hasn't been updated for YEARS.

 

[Guest]

ooh Cant ( I was going to PM this but everybody should see it)

Going on at length in a thread is no problem whatsoever, to me anyway, if I don't want to read it I won't, the same goes for threads I don't like the look of. But long posts to threads have no effect on other threads, whereas the number of new threads does. (I never even saw the Whoot thread or the Cheese one.)

Everybody loves Cant, in a paradoxical and diametrically opposite way as much as they love CV. That's the good thing about AH.

Waiting for a balanced answer to a sensitive question? Wait for Cant to post. Want the facts? Hang about for Harold. Bored and need distraction? Hold on for CV.

The writing threads will return. The newbie threads are always evident. The flirting is eternal. (just stop posting one fecking word at a time) Politics and religion are inherent in thinking boards, although logic has taken a back seat recently.

It's just a matter of having to wait for the turnaround.

Intimidating would-be posters will always occur at whatever part of the turn the AH presents itself, that's just timing.

Gauche

And we will always have Gauche. I bloody well hope so, anyway!

I wish there was a way I could make you post more.

Lou

 

[Edward Teach]

Flirting, etc.

There has always been flirting here and always will be as long as the place exists. It would be a pretty strange group that wrote eroticism but wasn't interested in sex. I sure as hell wouldn't want to be a part of it. Also, I personally haven't seen anyone here who didn't flirt at least once in a while.

Being unmoderated, this forum will be what we make it which I would guess is a pretty good thing.

There is nothing to prevent anyone from starting a thread about writing.

There is also nothing to prevent anyone from ignoring threads they don't like

Were this forum strictly moderated, there wouldn't be nearly as many people posting. You wouldn't get nearly the response to a serious writing question that you do now. I doubt that is what anyone really wants.

Also, even with emotions running high over politics, I don't see nearly as much vitriolic, personal fighting as was taking place here a while back.

Like anything else, the place changes from time to time.

It ain't broke, folks.


Ed

 

[McKenna]

I remember it.

I had to shoe-horn my way in.

Lou

As did I.

Listen Lou, I'm not sure if you're attacking me personally or not, so I'll give you the benifit of the doubt. All I'm saying is that this place isn't what it once was. Does that stop me from coming here? No. Do I get fed up with all the bullshit that goes on here? Yes. But notice I keep coming back. I am not saying I am better or worse than anyone here. I'm just bitching and moaning with the rest. I tend to call a spade a spade and not many people like that kind of directness. So be it. Does that mean I have to turn into a twitty flirt in order to find acceptance in the new regime? No. Hell, I've added to the GBness of this place with my Blurt Thread, as you so generously pointed out. And you've added to it as well with your threads, just as many others have. I'm not blaming anyone more than myself, because I'm just as guilty of joining the flow towards GBness as the next poster. The difference is I'm "ok" with calling it what it is, a trend towards GBness, which isn't exactly the slam so many take it for.


Edited for grammar.

 

[Guest]

 

[gauchecritic]

I do wish people wouldn't post between my reading and answering. Bloody buggers.

Yeah Mckenna's right, you young 'uns that haven't been here but two minutes don't know what you're talking about.

Gauche

Still under the impression that he single-handedly degraded the previous state of the AH shortly after he arrived and is wholly responsible for the state it's in now

 

[McKenna]

...but I would be less likely to go to a place reserved for just scholarly writing...because I am not that interestd in that. I am interestd in what and who IS here now (and before)...the AH is the place I chose and still choose...as is and as it was.

Good point Rhino. I needed to be reminded of that.

 

[Liar]

(I never even saw the Whoot thread or the Cheese one.)

Um. I made those up. I could start them if it makes you happy.

#L

 

[Guest]

As did I.

Listen Lou, I'm not sure if you're attacking me personally or not, so I'll give you the benifit of the doubt. All I'm saying is that this place isn't what it once was. Does that stop me from coming here? No. Do I get fed up with all the bullshit that goes on here? Yes. But notice I keep coming back. I am not saying I am better or worse than anyone here. I'm just bitching and moaning with the rest. I tend to call a spade a spade and not many people like that kind of directness. So be it. Does that mean I have to turn into a twitty flirt in order to find acceptance in the new regime? No. Hell, I've added to the GBness of this place with my Blurt Thread, as you so generously pointed out. And you've added to it as well with your threads, just have many others have. I'm not blaming anyone more than myself, because I'm just as guilty of joining the flow towards GBness as the next poster. The difference is I'm "ok" with calling it what it is, a trend towards GBness, which isn't exactly the slam so many take it for.

Mck, seriously, if I was going to launch a personal attack on you, you'd know about it for sure. I'm not just the twitty flirt some people take me for. I guess I do get a little defensive about this place and the people here, because, quite honestly, it is the only place I can really be me. Apart from the BDSM board, that is, but that's a different matter entirely.

I do understand what you are saying, but look at it this way: some of the things I've seen you come out with recently could be construed as a personal attack on everyone here. That doesn't feel good. I am certain you never meant anything that way, but it stings.

I might be over-sensitive - in fact, I know I am - but, why keep harping back to the way things were? They weren't golden days, by any means, they were just different. And a lot more bitchy...

Lou

 

[Guest]

 

[gauchecritic]

Re-iteration of previously stated effects

Um. I made those up. I could start them if it makes you happy.

#L

Yeah I know. I realised. I followed on the joke without using smilies. Here follows the re-iteration:

I rarely use smilies. I keep a straight face in RL when telling jokes or being witty. I'm called dry or arrogant, both fit. Explaining jokes is pointless.

[nosmiley]Starting them would make me happy as long as no one answered them and they dropped off the board as soon as I'd read the first post.[/nosmiley]

Gauche

 

[McKenna]

I do understand what you are saying, but look at it this way: some of the things I've seen you come out with recently could be construed as a personal attack on everyone here. That doesn't feel good. I am certain you never meant anything that way, but it stings.

I realized that a bit belatedly, which was also why I apologized in general on the Blurt Thread after I'd had some time to realize how it might be taken. I'll say it again, I do apologize if anything I said was construed as a personal attack, it wasn't. It was me mouthing off, with less care than I usually take when posting in a public forum.

I might be over-sensitive - in fact, I know I am - but, why keep harping back to the way things were? They weren't golden days, by any means, they were just different. And a lot more bitchy...

True. I'm done now.


Edited because I forgot something: "Twitty flirt" was in no way a reference to you (or anyone,) just the general "feel" of the AH at times.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

As I always took it, the GB was the general board for readers, plus all of the various ancillary specialty forums.

There is also the Roll Playing forums.

And we have those forums dedicated to the Writers, of which SF, SC and SI are some of the ancillary specialties, and AH is the writers' General Board.

Another specialisation of the Writers’ area would be the Editor’s Forum

As long as we are generally writers, not discussing (at length) story ideas, becoming bogged down in exchanging critiques, or ask (too often) for Feedback, it would seem to me, that it is being used properly.



This week, like the rest of half the country, we are getting our heads around the implications of the recent election. As porn writers, this has even more impact for us, than it would for the average writer.

Last week, we were as much into Halloween Contest entries, complaints, shameless plugs, as well as preparing to Nano Nano!

It seems to me that the AH is being used properly.

Unless the theory is that Writers must ONLY discuss writing, every second of their online day, otherwise go to the GB and build up their vocabulary skills communicating there.


In which case: “Gr8! Fuck U, Ass Ho L.”

 

[Lisa Denton]

If anything?

Is the fact that the AH is perceived as a mini-GB to a lot of people a big problem?

Is it something that needs doing something about?

Is it just the way things go, when a group of encouragable flirts get together?

Would an Authors' Q&A thread help?

Weekly writing exercises?

In house critiquing?

Do we ban politics?

Do we ban religion?

Do we ban (God help me) FLIRTING???

This is an open board, a public board, and anybody, absolutely anybody, should feel able to post here, especially fellow Lit authors. Do you think people are put off posting here, because of the way it is. If the answer to that question is, "Yes," then something does need to be done, surely.

Has anybody got any answers?

Anybody want a shag?

Lou

Nothing needs to be done though surely some peoples are put off on posting here. We are normal (hahahahahaha) peoples who talk about all the normal things, the fact that most of us are writers means we often talk about those things from a writers point of view.

I have looked at the GB and it is ok but hey, sometimes they just want to talk about like eating a sandwich while having oral sex. On the AH we talk about eating a sandwich while having oral sex and taking notes for our next story WHILE STANDING ON OUR HEADS!!

We go off on subject on threads, of course, and sometimes come back on subject, and sometimes go to a completely new subject. If you had a thread that was idle for a day or so would you rather I post "Lou I want to lick your nipples" or would you want me to post "bump" or just not post at all? Sometimes I like a subject and know I want to get back to it and keep the thread going but can't carry my train of thought while looking at your AV with that patch on your butt.

I have learned lots of stuff about writing while joking and flirting and talking about other things. There was a joking thread and a writer posted about painting a picture in a story with colors, which I actually used when I was stuck in trying to describe a particular situation in a story.

If people want a thread dealing ONLY WITH WRITING then they should start one, and call me names and say "fuck off Lisa, this is a serious writing thread" when I post. Then I will pick up my marbles and go skippin off lookin for a fun thread to play in.

I think the reason the non-writers are put off on posting here is because of some of the proposals they make us writers in e-mail feedbacks and stuff. Some are flattering, some are hurtful, and I think some are illegal (or at least impossible in that position.)

Oh well, thats what I think about the whole thing. Tell me to post ONLY about writing? Do it in a thread and I will happily move on. Do it in the entire AH and I will sadly say goodbye to all my friends and move on.

 

[cantdog]

Lisa



You have the most engaging way of issuing a serious rant and ultimatum while sounding like Gracie Allen. I'd fall in love with you if there were any point to it. Thanks for being here.

 

[cantdog]

I guess I don't get it.
What was the AH?

Back when, I mean?

Areopagetic symposia?

Mutual resources in expertise, mostly, like Ky for muskets or me for firefighting or summer for photography tech?

 

[pop_54]

As did I.

Listen Lou, I'm not sure if you're attacking me personally or not, so I'll give you the benifit of the doubt. All I'm saying is that this place isn't what it once was. Does that stop me from coming here? No. Do I get fed up with all the bullshit that goes on here? Yes. But notice I keep coming back. I am not saying I am better or worse than anyone here. I'm just bitching and moaning with the rest. I tend to call a spade a spade and not many people like that kind of directness. So be it. Does that mean I have to turn into a twitty flirt in order to find acceptance in the new regime? No. Hell, I've added to the GBness of this place with my Blurt Thread, as you so generously pointed out. And you've added to it as well with your threads, just as many others have. I'm not blaming anyone more than myself, because I'm just as guilty of joining the flow towards GBness as the next poster. The difference is I'm "ok" with calling it what it is, a trend towards GBness, which isn't exactly the slam so many take it for.


Edited for grammar.

Fancy a flirt dear

I'm all in favour of a bit of variety myself, and as the lad and most others have said, the place will survive and evolve as it chooses, or as the majority of daily visitors steer it.

The AH bears little resemblance to the GB, Ok we have a 'few' ahem! flirts about the place, and a 'few' ahem! political threads... But unlike the GB at least 80% of the people who come here to the AH can string a sentence together... whereas on the GB, the figure is reversed and only about 20% of posters seem to possess more than one brain cell... I mean how often do you see newbies on the AH told to 'Fuck off', never seen it yet. Opposite on the GB though, never seen anyone welcomed over there.

This is by far a more intelligent and friendly establishment than elsewhere... Just let it go its own way.

I don't post much these days because there's nothing much that interests me, when something crops up, I reply to it.

I'm rather relieved that bloody yank election is over with... now we can settle in to a 4 yr inquest.

 

[Guest]

 

[Quiet_Cool]

There is a problem with the AH, and it's that, while we may be more... I dunno, "literate" or not as, um... "Retarded" (no offense intended to the mentally handicapped) than the Gb, and we most certainly are different, it is more and more GBish by the day. With the election, it's become more and more prominent, almost to the point where the politicl threads were beginning to add up in number to the writing related threads. True, those threads will begin to taper off, or at least ot recieve so many posts and fall off the board faster, but it's a good example of how one thing can be so prominent in a place where other things are expected.
Is that terrible? No, but it is a distraction. I know, boo-hoo, everything's not perfect. But let's be honest, we can't have the threads that are actually writing related fall to the bottom in a mush of Bush and Kerry and Iraq and the aforementioned cheese threads...

Lit draws all kinds of people interested in porn, and I think the Forums reflect that. For the writers, there is Story Feedback, Poetry Feedback, Editor's Forum, Story Discussion and Story Ideas.

I always saw the AH as a virtual cafe for porn writers. Take a break, pull up a chair. Drink some coffee. Talk about writers block or sex or ideas or whatever's on your mind. Flirt a little. Drink some more coffee. Write a little. Feed your soul. Bare your soul. Write some more.

Nothing wrong with that.

Not true, the first part I mean. We do have those boards, but the two Feedback forums are for Feedback, meaning for a story/poem/article that has already been written and is being commented on or discussed. Editor's Forum; for editors not writers. And the Story Discussion and Story Ideas Board, well, is a board that seems to be for people who want a story idea to write about or for people who don't want to write but want an idea to be written about. The Author's Hangout is all of those things, plus a discussion on style, and technical information, as well and nearly every other aspect of writing, from what we listen to while writing to how long it takes us to put together a piece of whatever length. None of those other boards really give you the opportunity to participate with other authors. So this place is as distinctive to writing as any of those place, and probably more so.
It has become more than that, as LadyJeanne mentioned in the post I quoted above. So we can't really ban any of those other threads either. They do have a place here, as everyone's mentioned.
I think LadyJeanne gave us the answer, though. Why not ask Laurel to make a subcategory here, called "Writer's Cafe" where we can BS, and leave the authorly threads on the regular AH? That way, if someone wants to pop in and just check out the writing threads without sorting through eight-thousand cheese and politics threads to find them. We could still be ourselves on the writing threads, but we could still be ourselves--flirting and jokes wouldn't be banned on the writerly threads--but the threads in the regualr AH would be focused on writing.
We'd also have the "Cafe," which given the name, or one similar enough that it would imply it's for writers, would most likely deter the Gb people with its knowledge and maturity (or so we'll claim) but would be a place where no topic would be banned, or be unallowed.
Thoughts?

Q_C

 

[Guest]

I think LadyJeanne gave us the answer, though. Why not ask Laurel to make a subcategory here, called "Writer's Cafe" where we can BS, and leave the authorly threads on the regular AH? That way, if someone wants to pop in and just check out the writing threads without sorting through eight-thousand cheese and politics threads to find them. We could still be ourselves on the writing threads, but we could still be ourselves--flirting and jokes wouldn't be banned on the writerly threads--but the threads in the regualr AH would be focused on writing.
We'd also have the "Cafe," which given the name, or one similar enough that it would imply it's for writers, would most likely deter the Gb people with its knowledge and maturity (or so we'll claim) but would be a place where no topic would be banned, or be unallowed.
Thoughts?

Q_C

Very, very good idea.

The exact same thing happens over on the BDSM boards. They have BDSM Talk and the BDSM Cafe. The only difference being, those boards are heavily moderated, with posts being moved to the relevant forum, if the mod deems it irrelevant to the forum it was posted in.

Definitely something worth further discussion, though.

Lou

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Very, very good idea.

The exact same thing happens over on the BDSM boards. They have BDSM Talk and the BDSM Cafe. The only difference being, those boards are heavily moderated, with posts being moved to the relevant forum, if the mod deems it irrelevant to the forum it was posted in.

Definitely something worth further discussion, though.

Lou

Ture. But we'd really only need one mod, to take the threads that don't fit in the regular AH and put them in the Cafe. Of take the ones that should be in the AH and take them from the Cafe. We have enough regulars here that we should be able to get a group together to share the mild responsibilites.

Piece of cake.

Q_C

 

[Liar]

Not true, the first part I mean. We do have those boards, but the two Feedback forums are for Feedback, meaning for a story/poem/article that has already been written and is being commented on or discussed.

Well, as one who frequent the poetry oard, I can say that it is much more than just feedback, which acutally takes backseats to all the other activities.There are indepths analysis, spontaneous eruptions of slam poetry, silly little banter threads and a steady flow of user driven challenges, to keep the muse perpetually horny. It is, bnaturally, a smaller clique than here even, but there are some 20 regulars and the occational stray author in there.

It's actually the best workshop forum for developing your poetry skills that I have found anywhere on the net. Probably because it's hard to be a pretenctios ass about your work when it's posted on a pornsite.

It also have more of what I look for in the AH. Those general muse-feeding threads. I see challenges and excersises like those here too now and then, but they seem to either die or deteriorate before i have the chance to dive in.

#L

 

[Lisa Denton]

Lisa



You have the most engaging way of issuing a serious rant and ultimatum while sounding like Gracie Allen. I'd fall in love with you if there were any point to it. Thanks for being here.

Coming from anyone else I would be afraid to take that as a compliment, at least the Gracie Allen part, also coming from you I treasure even a small compliment as I find your posts often the most intelligent in threads.

I wasn't issuing an ultimatum, if I leave it will be because I want to and I don't want to be here. I can rant about anything without getting upset. As I have often been told I take things way too personal but I have changed and grown and adapted with the AH and don't get upset anymore. "Love me, Hate me, Lick me, but Read me."

It would be very hard for manu to allow any of the banning and unallowed threads which people are bringing up. It would break his heart if many people began demanding it to even consider stepping that close to censorship. Please don't ask him to change anything.

CHANGE YOURSELVES, ADAPT, MAKE THE AH WHAT (YOU) WANT IT TO BE.

Start a thread, initial post, this is a fuckin serious thread, no politics, no fightin, no flirtin- WHATEVERTHEFUCK- and talk about which aspects of writing you are concerned about, or all aspects of writing. You see what I mean, link to the other threads with the same agenda going - in the initial post- so serious and intelligent and informative conversations are always on-going.

Don't be surprised if Lisa throws in a serious post here and there.

Stay away from heavy moderator presence or any type of monitoring. Tell the flippant posters thank you but not on subject, please reply only if concerning subject under discussion. MODERATE YOURSELVES.

Remember PLEASE, the AH is for writers to come and talk about writing, or to get away from writing, or to talk about anything they choose without interference.

See there, I ranted again without getting upset. Just made my strong opinions known.

 

[Guest]

Lisa, just so you know, I personally have absolutely no problem with the AH just the way it is. Quite the opposite, in fact. I love the diversity here, and the laid-back approach by most.

My initial thread-starter was kind of facetious, but I was raising some serious points, too. Every now and again there are posts stating unhappiness about the way things are here, and I can usually understand where that poster is coming from. I guess I just stuck my oar in and attempted to discuss what might be the "problem" (not that I think there is one), and just kinda talk it through.

However, there is no solution. As a few have said: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. From those who have posted here alone, it seems the vast majority are happy with things just the way they are.

Having said that, I do think QC's suggestion of an "Authors' Cafe" would help stop a lot of the points raised from time to time.

Lou - tries too hard sometimes

 

[BigAndTall]

Wouldn't the way to address the lack of talk on writing be just to start more topics on writing?

Why do drastic change?

I am a reader, not a writer, but seems to me if you want to discuss writing and styles and ideas etc..... just do it.

Anyway, I am sure I am missing something as my thought there seems to be simple.