Lit is not what it used to be.

[SweetMaj]

Lit is not what it used to be and neither are the people I used to play with.

I wonder what happened.

Lit used to help me to get through my lonely days and nights but that's not the case anymore.

I feel worthless when I'm here and not a part of anything anymore.

[oggbashan]

I'm still here.

(Pats bare backside displayed in your AV)

Perhaps you should start a different thread, one about playing around?

Og

[glynndah]

Originally Posted by SweetMaj

Lit is not what it used to be and neither are the people I used to play with.

I wonder what happened.

Lit used to help me to get through my lonely days and nights but that's not the case anymore.

I feel worthless when I'm here and not a part of anything anymore.

I feel the same way. I suppose the really old-timers are reminiscing about how it used to be before we came along, too. I guess that's the nature of the beast.

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Originally Posted by SweetMaj

Lit is not what it used to be and neither are the people I used to play with.

I wonder what happened.

Lit used to help me to get through my lonely days and nights but that's not the case anymore.

I feel worthless when I'm here and not a part of anything anymore.

It isnt LIT or the AH per se. People come, people go, some people change in ways that matter, and some we leave behind. In 2007 AH was the Wild West, lately its almost sedate.
Shit! I kinda sorta made peace with STELLA, if thats possible you oughta have tons of friends

[oggbashan]

Originally Posted by glynndah

I feel the same way. I suppose the really old-timers are reminiscing about how it used to be before we came along, too. I guess that's the nature of the beast.

I think some of it is because it's February, the most miserable month of the year when we all want the weather to improve and Spring to come.

[lovecraft68]

Originally Posted by oggbashan

I think some of it is because it's February, the most miserable month of the year when we all want the weather to improve and Spring to come.

Ain't that the truth. I told my wife if it snows again, I'm staying in the house until it all melts.

[bashfullyshameless]

Originally Posted by oggbashan

I think some of it is because it's February, the most miserable month of the year when we all want the weather to improve and Spring to come.

It is pretty damn miserable here in Seattle. Not that this is odd for February... or March... gah. It's a long wait for decent weather.

When would you guys say were the "good old days" of Literotica? I find this sort of vibe in lots of organizations, clubs and such. I'm certainly willing to believe there were better times than these, though I feel like I've had a pretty good run. If there's a time period of better stories (or just more frequent good ones), it might help with my searches... or are we talking about better times on the AH?

[lovecraft68]

Originally Posted by bashfullyshameless

It is pretty damn miserable here in Seattle. Not that this is odd for February... or March... gah. It's a long wait for decent weather.

When would you guys say were the "good old days" of Literotica? I find this sort of vibe in lots of organizations, clubs and such. I'm certainly willing to believe there were better times than these, though I feel like I've had a pretty good run. If there's a time period of better stories (or just more frequent good ones), it might help with my searches... or are we talking about better times on the AH?

A lot of old timers claim there are a lot of a-holes on the forums now and that also there is way too much political crap and non-writing topics here which turns everyone into assholes.

The Political threads I do think seem more frequent than ever in my limited time here, but as for assholes?

Every generation in every setting thinks they were asshole free.

They're wrong.

[glynndah]

Originally Posted by bashfullyshameless

It is pretty damn miserable here in Seattle. Not that this is odd for February... or March... gah. It's a long wait for decent weather.

When would you guys say were the "good old days" of Literotica? I find this sort of vibe in lots of organizations, clubs and such. I'm certainly willing to believe there were better times than these, though I feel like I've had a pretty good run. If there's a time period of better stories (or just more frequent good ones), it might help with my searches... or are we talking about better times on the AH?

For me, personally, the first two or three years, maybe 2005-2007 or 2008.

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Originally Posted by lovecraft68

A lot of old timers claim there are a lot of a-holes on the forums now and that also there is way too much political crap and non-writing topics here which turns everyone into assholes.

The Political threads I do think seem more frequent than ever in my limited time here, but as for assholes?

Every generation in every setting thinks they were asshole free.

They're wrong.

Whats different now is the Old Clicque is kaput, and some of us are back on the reservation in our rocking chairs too frail to smear the warpaint on anymore.

[oggbashan]

Originally Posted by bashfullyshameless

It is pretty damn miserable here in Seattle. Not that this is odd for February... or March... gah. It's a long wait for decent weather.

When would you guys say were the "good old days" of Literotica? I find this sort of vibe in lots of organizations, clubs and such. I'm certainly willing to believe there were better times than these, though I feel like I've had a pretty good run. If there's a time period of better stories (or just more frequent good ones), it might help with my searches... or are we talking about better times on the AH?

Better times on the AH, perhaps, but in my time there has been no prolonged golden age. There were great spots such as the UK Lit AH get-togethers in Yorkshire and Bournemouth; story collaborations Like the Literotica Olympics and The Worst Chain Story Ever; and initiatives such as the Authors Hangout Library. They were the exceptions.

But it was always a few people who did the majority of the work. Many of us haven't got the time any more. It was always difficult for me because of my community activities but 2012 was much worse because of caring for grandchildren four full days a week.

We have always had arguments and political discussions that might be better on the General Board except that the GB has had too many assholes and thread-wreckers. Even the GB seems more reasonable in 2013 or is that because I've put BusyBodywhatever in my ignore list?

The contest threads are the better side of the AH, but there is a long gap between Valentine's Day and Earth Day, and Earth Day doesn't inspire as much as Valentine's.

[MistressLynn]

You get out of Lit what you put into it . . . the same as anywhere in life.

[TxRad]

Originally Posted by glynndah

For me, personally, the first two or three years, maybe 2005-2007 or 2008.

I arrived about the same time you did and yes there was a great group here. Some really brilliant, caring, thoughtful people.

One of the best died, I'm sorry to say and I miss her a lot even if I only knew her for a short time. A few of the rest poke their heads in occasionally.

But and there is always a butt. Everything changes one way or the other.

[lovecraft68]

What I find amazing is how few authors come to these forums when you look at how many there are posting stories.

If you tried to come out with a quick head count how many authors post here on a some what regular basis.

Certainly less than fifty I would think and I think I'm guessing on the higher end.

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Originally Posted by oggbashan

Better times on the AH, perhaps, but in my time there has been no prolonged golden age. There were great spots such as the UK Lit AH get-togethers in Yorkshire and Bournemouth; story collaborations Like the Literotica Olympics and The Worst Chain Story Ever; and initiatives such as the Authors Hangout Library. They were the exceptions.

But it was always a few people who did the majority of the work. Many of us haven't got the time any more. It was always difficult for me because of my community activities but 2012 was much worse because of caring for grandchildren four full days a week.

We have always had arguments and political discussions that might be better on the General Board except that the GB has had too many assholes and thread-wreckers. Even the GB seems more reasonable in 2013 or is that because I've put BusyBodywhatever in my ignore list?

The contest threads are the better side of the AH, but there is a long gap between Valentine's Day and Earth Day, and Earth Day doesn't inspire as much as Valentine's.

I was told that the LW crowd are beasts but so far I'm not impressed with the cucks and sissies who whine. Theyre not intimidating, theyre embarrassing.

[lovecraft68]

Originally Posted by JAMESBJOHNSON

I was told that the LW crowd are beasts but so far I'm not impressed with the cucks and sissies who whine. Theyre not intimidating, theyre embarrassing.

Because they spend their time in the R/L being humiliated and embarrassed why not do it to themselves here as well?

[TxRad]

Originally Posted by lovecraft68

What I find amazing is how few authors come to these forums when you look at how many there are posting stories.

If you tried to come out with a quick head count how many authors post here on a some what regular basis.

Certainly less than fifty I would think and I think I'm guessing on the higher end.

There used to be many many more.

A lot of the new writers on Lit don't even know there are forums. Maybe we should invite the ones we read that we like.

[lovecraft68]

Originally Posted by TxRad

There used to be many many more.

A lot of the new writers on Lit don't even know there are forums. Maybe we should invite the ones we read that we like.

I think I was here about 6 months before I found them and that was literally by accident. I had clicked chat before, but that never worked and I thought that was the "boards" then I clicked forums instead of home page and stumbled on them.

Sadly like many I wandered into the general board asking about incest stories

Its not just authors, but most readers don;t know either as evidenced in the low turn out for things like "The annual awards"

[oggbashan]

The good features of today's AH are some of the continuing threads with a special mention for AllanChardon's Seldom-Used Words, Word Chains and other continuing playful threads. Another one - newcomers aren't abused as much as they used to be. The Writers Challenges and exercises, although not as active as it might be, is a welcome change from the past.

The bad features - not enough participation or innovation. Little incentive for Lit authors to come to the Authors' Hangout and no scheme for encouraging them.

What's missing?

Good that they're reduced - political arguments, the occasional repetitive assholes with a one track argument.

Bad that they've gone - the review thread of new stories; the cooperative chain stories; the get togethers.

Bad that they've stalled - the AH library thread. It is now seriously dated.

But those are just my opinions.

What do you think is good, bad or missing from the Authors' Hangout?

[Deprived_in_AZ]

Originally Posted by MistressLynn

You get out of Lit what you put into it . . . the same as anywhere in life.

That's exactly it, Miss Lynn.

[MichaelWest]

For me it is a bit of a let down not to have more and better discussions with other writers. I first joined in 2008, took a long break, returning at various times to eaxpolre, chat and learn. I try to contribute, I don't know if my participation is quality or not, but I will discuss story-telling at will. I truly enjoy it.

[Deprived_in_AZ]

If the AH gets too boring, maybe try out another forum? Meet new people? Make new friends?

I mean, look at me, I came here from the Playground..... didn't need a visa or shots or nothing.... And after the initial OhMyGawd she's from the Playground! I still feel comfortable popping in

[MistressLynn]

Originally Posted by Deprived_in_AZ

If the AH gets too boring, maybe try out another forum? Meet new people? Make new friends?

I mean, look at me, I came here from the Playground..... didn't need a visa or shots or nothing.... And after the initial OhMyGawd she's from the Playground! I still feel comfortable popping in

OhMyGawd she's from the Playground!

[lovecraft68]

Originally Posted by Deprived_in_AZ

If the AH gets too boring, maybe try out another forum? Meet new people? Make new friends?

I mean, look at me, I came here from the Playground..... didn't need a visa or shots or nothing.... And after the initial OhMyGawd she's from the Playground! I still feel comfortable popping in

I think what we need is more play grounders.

Actually what I would like to see here is an invasion from the BDSM forum. That could be interesting.

[Dianthus]

Originally Posted by MistressLynn

You get out of Lit what you put into it . . . the same as anywhere in life.

^^ This.

And what one can put in at any given time depends on many factors other than Lit itself.

Originally Posted by TxRad

I arrived about the same time you did and yes there was a great group here. Some really brilliant, caring, thoughtful people.

One of the best died, I'm sorry to say and I miss her a lot even if I only knew her for a short time. A few of the rest poke their heads in occasionally.

But and there is always a butt. Everything changes one way or the other.

Sure, everything changes. Fortunately for those of us still here, there are still an abundance of brilliant, caring, thoughtful and thought-provoking people on the board.

I miss some who aren't here (or rarely here), to be sure. I'm privileged to have made some great friends in the years I've been here, old-timers and new-comers alike.

Originally Posted by oggbashan

The good features of today's AH are some of the continuing threads with a special mention for AllanChardon's Seldom-Used Words, Word Chains and other continuing playful threads. Another one - newcomers aren't abused as much as they used to be. The Writers Challenges and exercises, although not as active as it might be, is a welcome change from the past.

The bad features - not enough participation or innovation. Little incentive for Lit authors to come to the Authors' Hangout and no scheme for encouraging them.

What's missing?

Good that they're reduced - political arguments, the occasional repetitive assholes with a one track argument.

Bad that they've gone - the review thread of new stories; the cooperative chain stories; the get togethers.

Bad that they've stalled - the AH library thread. It is now seriously dated.

But those are just my opinions.

What do you think is good, bad or missing from the Authors' Hangout?

I note a sea change in the sense of community that was here when I joined Lit. I remember rallying around Litzens who were undergoing some challenging circumstances; we had candle threads.

Some of the open sharing of circumstance subsided when some of those brilliant, caring, thoughtful and open people got burned in real life for their participation in Lit. So, though its missing, I don't know that it will come all the way back.

We used to have challenges, too...I remember the weekend of the 'wee-me' avatars, amongst other spirited friendly competitions. Let me think on that.

One final note: Occasionally, when Lit seems to be a vast, uncaring wasteland of preoccupied people, I look around and see the rest of the world does too. That, eventually, leads me to conclude that it might just be a perception problem on my part and I should wait for things to be rosier.