A Huge Turn-Off

[Flesh_4_Fantasy]

I've been posting stories and poems here since May 2010, but have only recently started frequenting this forum.

A lot of what gets posted here is ugly. That's right U.G.L.Y.

Lots of crazy, self-inflating, bickering, blustering, self-righteous, pig-headed crap.

It's a huge turn-off to a place where I'd like to come for some fun and some honest opinion on craft. But it seems so factional here. I enjoy kayaking and used to go to a certain site geared toward that, but there was waaaaay too much infighting and oneupsmanship there. So I left.

That kind of shit is only fun to those who participate. Others seem to just keep coming back out of habit...

Honestly, is there a reason to stick around such a poisonous and depressing atmosphere? I already know some will answer that they have found good friends here. But are they friends or part of a clique you belong to? Do you harbor an "us-vs-them" attitude?

There's a fucking lunatic running his own alternate universe version of LE within the forum.

There is a complicatedly twisted and hard to sort out cast of character assassins sniping at each other across multiple threads/forums.

I'm really not sure it's worth hanging out here.

U.G.L.Y.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[lovecraft68]

I've been posting stories and poems here since May 2010, but have only recently started frequenting this forum.

A lot of what gets posted here is ugly. That's right U.G.L.Y.

Lots of crazy, self-inflating, bickering, blustering, self-righteous, pig-headed crap.

It's a huge turn-off to a place where I'd like to come for some fun and some honest opinion on craft. But it seems so factional here. I enjoy kayaking and used to go to a certain site geared toward that, but there was waaaaay too much infighting and oneupsmanship there. So I left.

That kind of shit is only fun to those who participate. Others seem to just keep coming back out of habit...

Honestly, is there a reason to stick around such a poisonous and depressing atmosphere? I already know some will answer that they have found good friends here. But are they friends or part of a clique you belong to? Do you harbor an "us-vs-them" attitude?

There's a fucking lunatic running his own alternate universe version of LE within the forum.

There is a complicatedly twisted and hard to sort out cast of character assassins sniping at each other across multiple threads/forums.

I'm really not sure it's worth hanging out here.

U.G.L.Y.

Just one man's opinion.

You could always try the general board! Just make sure you post what you said here word for word. Then send us the link.

The forum is like every forum, its the cyber world and people can say all kinds of dumb shit they would not in person for fear of taking a beating. High school without the risks.

Human nature at its finest.

 

[Darkniciad]

Should have been here a few months back, before Laurel did a mini-crackdown on the political threads. Its a far more welcoming environment than it was then.

Put a few people on ignore for a while. It won't take you long to pick out a few that will make a big difference in your overall enjoyment.

And stay FAR away from the General Board. If you think it's bad here...

 

[Stella_Omega]

It's the price we pay for the owner's Free Speech policy, which allows us to also talk about sex in as graphic a manner as we wish.

There is no moderator. It's as civil as it is-- not much, I admit-- by sheer force of will.

there is another forum for erotica writers, at absolutewrite.com, but it's hidden behind two passwords as I recall. Not so easy to arrive there, and you will find the same clique-ish ambience as here, only more so.

 

[TE999]

It's kinda like Hah Skule ... minus Trig and PE ... and cafeteria mystery meat ... you have your cool chicks and dudes ... then there's the Skins, Motorheads, Glam Freaks, Goths, Greasers, Nerds, Geeks, Wierdos, Brownies, Mama's Boys, Sluts, Sissies, Jocks and Divas.

It can be a fishbowl or a shark tank ... kinda like life. Stick around and ride a few curls, you'll get used to it.

 

[Dual_Triode]

I've been posting stories and poems here since May 2010, but have only recently started frequenting this forum.

A lot of what gets posted here is ugly. That's right U.G.L.Y.

Lots of crazy, self-inflating, bickering, blustering, self-righteous, pig-headed crap.

It's a huge turn-off to a place where I'd like to come for some fun and some honest opinion on craft. But it seems so factional here. I enjoy kayaking and used to go to a certain site geared toward that, but there was waaaaay too much infighting and oneupsmanship there. So I left.

That kind of shit is only fun to those who participate. Others seem to just keep coming back out of habit...

Honestly, is there a reason to stick around such a poisonous and depressing atmosphere? I already know some will answer that they have found good friends here. But are they friends or part of a clique you belong to? Do you harbor an "us-vs-them" attitude?

There's a fucking lunatic running his own alternate universe version of LE within the forum.

There is a complicatedly twisted and hard to sort out cast of character assassins sniping at each other across multiple threads/forums.

I'm really not sure it's worth hanging out here.

U.G.L.Y.

Just one man's opinion.

Dude. Chill out, sit back, and open a beer. This is a weakly moderated forum, on a porn site, on the Internet. Keep your perspective.

Sure, there are a lot of characters here, but in general, the discourse is pretty civil. You should be able to find threads to hang out in that suit your interests. Mine is music - listening and performing. Avoid the topics that bother you. Ignore the people that piss you off. Start a thread about a literary topic that interests you. Offer kind words. You will make acquaintances here.

Welcome! I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Flesh_4_Fantasy.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

The first post seems oddly familiar. Especially the use of the word "ugly" near the end.

 

[autoplot]

I lost interest in posting here for pretty much that reason. Too many people too far up their own asses to be interesting. Not everyone, of course, but the worst offenders are by far the loudest and most prolific. But, as has already been pointed out, that's hardly endemic to this forum in particular.

Fortunately, if you want honest opinion on craft, there are only a million or so blogs and forums where you could get it.

 

[GinaTina]

Yeah. I know what you mean. Fortunately, I find it amusing, mostly. So when I do happen to pop in here or there, I tend to egg people on. But then again, I'm wicked like that.


But also, I DO find it refreshing to be able to bounce ideas off of someone who enjoys the craft of writing without being belittled in some way. And it's hard to find someone to do that with.

Sorry you haven't had better luck.


Anyhow, off I go again. Happy writing, everyone.