Do you remember being new?

[SweetVA]

Wading into the midst of a bunch of strangers can feel intimidating until the people are no longer strangers.

One thing that helped me was to start reading through stories written by people on the board who caught my attention through their posts or a reference to an interesting plot or way of handling a plot twist. Reading their work helped me to see everyone as individuals with their own tastes and styles and ways of expressing themselves instead of "The AH".

Their stuff is pretty hot too, so the reading is fun as well.

I've been doing this, too. I joined Lit (still not sure exactly why but definitely not regretting it!) a little over a month (!) ago, not as a writer, but hanging out in the AH. I knew someone, but tried really hard not to 'lean' on her too hard.. To get to know the others a little better, I've made it a point to check out profiles and read at least one submission of people I run across - you get to know a little more about the person you've just seen posting that way.

I also wrote my first piece. I did it mainly because I hate feeling like a fraud and since I was hanging around the Author's Hangout............ It's spurred me to read more and even to start writing another one - a real story (is there such a thing here?? ) this time.

Like Moonie (hi, Twin! ) , I found a thread to call "home" for the time being ("Last" is great for that!), got to know some people, posted a bit, poked around in some other threads, posted a bit more, got ignored some , got over it, posted some more........ Just do it. It's now my fantasy playhouse.

Looking forward to hearing more from you.......

VA

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I've been ripped a new one by an editor and was totally shocked by the response. For someone who was suppose to be helpful what they had to say was anything but.

I had that happen to... and from an editor who was supposed to be a good one... all because I had written it in present tense. He didn't bother saying, change it to past tense and send it back to me. So I took it to the SDC instead and did the workshop. I got a lot of helpful advice and the story ended up with a 4.7ish rating. So many times I've wanted to go back to that editor and say... "You really screwed up." LOL

I also remember what it was like being new... very intimidating. Still is to some degree.

 

[Lisa Denton]

I wandered into the AH and said Hi to a few peoples, and they was nice and I would join in the subjects and stuff, it was nice. After about 30 minutes I saw a thread and jumped in, the ensuing melee with Joe Wordsworth left me flappergrated, confoozeled, and appled.

Joe and I have had some arguements, discussions, and even swapped a few jokes since then, but I wouldn't wish his logicalbabbledegook on an unsuspecting newbie, he takes getting used to. (Hi Joe!!!)

 

[moonlight elf]

I've been doing this, too. I joined Lit (still not sure exactly why but definitely not regretting it!) a little over a month (!) ago, not as a writer, but hanging out in the AH. I knew someone, but tried really hard not to 'lean' on her too hard.. To get to know the others a little better, I've made it a point to check out profiles and read at least one submission of people I run across - you get to know a little more about the person you've just seen posting that way.

I also wrote my first piece. I did it mainly because I hate feeling like a fraud and since I was hanging around the Author's Hangout............ It's spurred me to read more and even to start writing another one - a real story (is there such a thing here?? ) this time.

Like Moonie (hi, Twin! ) , I found a thread to call "home" for the time being ("Last" is great for that!), got to know some people, posted a bit, poked around in some other threads, posted a bit more, got ignored some , got over it, posted some more........ Just do it. It's now my fantasy playhouse.

Looking forward to hearing more from you.......

VA

(VA, Hi right back at ya!! )

Hi again Lilian!!!

 

[rgraham666]

Surprisingly, I did not find this place all that intimidating.

I lurked for a while, and found myself quite liking almost everybody here. With two noticeable exceptions.

And like SweetVA I felt like a bit of a fraud so I wrote a story. It did really well, and I haven't stopped since.

Hooray for the AH!

 

[BardsLady]

Hi guys. BardsLady checking in.

Yeah, I felt new here when I first started posting. heheh My first story was an Erotic Fan fiction I decided to toss out and post, take the plunge, as it were, just to see if I was good enough to get it posted.
To my suprise, it passed muster and people E-Mailed me wanting me to do a sequel. Heh. Ahh, the powerrrr.. *ahem*

I haven't posted anything in six months or more. Not sure. But yes, I remember being new. Remember finding the Forums a wee bit intimidating. That is, until someone lassoed me into a discussion about finding an editor. That's when I started to relax. I wasn't poo pooed as an Erotic fan fiction writer or a so so poet. But an honest welcome to the insanity thing.
So don't worry, everyone fits into the insane assyl...errr the Authors Hangout in their own special ways.

 

[davidwatts]

I've been ripped a new one by an editor and was totally shocked by the response. For someone who was suppose to be helpful what they had to say was anything but.

The intimidation does come from seeing all the authors who have been around for a long time. There's more to it I'm sure...but that's the beginning.

From what I've noticed though it just seems that some of the "older" voices around here may have forgotton what it is like to be the little fish in the big pond.

Hi there and welcome!


Your comment makes me glad I never asked an editor for help for stories, not that I didn't need it, but because with that kind of response I would have run and never come back.

Same for this place here. One day I just dove in to see what would happen and have found that most everyone is friendly and helpful.