Honest Apprehensions of a Newbie...

[serpentwrap]

1. Gawd, its huge, almost endless, almost of Well-esque (the oldest discussion forum from salon.com) proportions

2. Sifting thru is like delving into a Kafkaesque maze, virtually impossible...

3. Its maturer than most sites, though frequently thrown comments about creepiness are scary in more ways than one

4. One, it makes you feel like a stalker to react to a post more than once

5. Two, there is a deep rooted fear (maybe guising an equally deep-rooted desire) of being judged by the world - a case of reverse voyeurism?

6. Lets call it the Literotica Paradox: By its very nature, a newbie will first be suspected of seeking chesap thrills. The newbie knows that and that inhibits him/her from posting freely. And because he/she feels shy of posting frequently, the curiosity makes him/her wander through other threads. Till suddenly one's own voyeurism hits home and seeking cheap thrills seems like a fact. And that, in turn, ladies and getlemen, inhibits the newbie further. The Literotica Paradox, indeed!

7. Apart from giving rein to some of the most primal human urges, as a newbie, I personally find the place invigorating in its fresh perspectives and kinda Gonzo attitude (though admittedly I might not be qualified yet to form an impression like that). That one post, that one turn of phrase in teh analysis, that singlemost insight in a sea of banter, makes the place worth its words in gold.

8. But most of all, what a newbie is looking for a welcome thats warm, heartfelt, positively curious, yet stealthy and intrinsic.

9. The onus of endearing oneself into the community, I feel, rests as much on the newbie as on the oldies...

10. And finally, trust me on this, I do seek thrills in this literotica world, but I want those thrills to be inclusive and educative... A good coversation, a resonance of attitides, a respect for the head, and occasional twitch of the heart are more than enough to tease the libido - priapic, vaginal or intellectual.... and may be, in some respects, emotional too!

What else are we looking for from life, anyway...

 

[serpentwrap]

Or maybe I needed to lurk some more before shooting off... But what teh heck, you only live once...

 

[nerk]

the thrills here are free .. doesn't get any cheaper than that.
as far as a warm welcome goes...


*hug*

 

[SweetErika]

Welcome to posting.

You might want to consider whether or not you're overthinking the Lit experience if you're finding it so daunting. Since you've already observed the dynamics, make sure you read the stickies at the top of the forums and then just jump into threads that strike your fancy (as it appears you've done to some extent). You're probably going to be ignored somewhat at first, but if you make yourself enough of a presence, people will eventually take notice and start responding.

Also, and I may be WAY off here with regards to where you're coming from, be very careful about putting on any kind of facade. People who, for example, try to appear really smart, most often end up looking like fools who are ignored. If your tempted to craft your posts for appearances, you may want to reconsider and say what's actually on your mind, letting your natural intelligence shine through (don't worry, it will, even if you use more intuitive language). We've had all types of members here, and the ones who typically thrive are those who make very honest, literate posts that include intelligent insights without trying too hard or showing off.

 

[serpentwrap]

Welcome to posting.

You might want to consider whether or not you're overthinking the Lit experience if you're finding it so daunting. Since you've already observed the dynamics, make sure you read the stickies at the top of the forums and then just jump into threads that strike your fancy (as it appears you've done to some extent). You're probably going to be ignored somewhat at first, but if you make yourself enough of a presence, people will eventually take notice and start responding.

Also, and I may be WAY off here with regards to where you're coming from, be very careful about putting on any kind of facade. People who, for example, try to appear really smart, most often end up looking like fools who are ignored. If your tempted to craft your posts for appearances, you may want to reconsider and say what's actually on your mind, letting your natural intelligence shine through (don't worry, it will, even if you use more intuitive language). We've had all types of members here, and the ones who typically thrive are those who make very honest, literate posts that include intelligent insights without trying too hard or showing off.

Awww, dont be such a cynic! The second para does sound a wee bit presumptuous and patronising... but will defer to your seniority on the board...

 

[Kikori]

Awww, dont be such a cynic! The second para does sound a wee bit presumptuous and patronising... but will defer to your seniority on the board...

Don't be so quick to try to assume one of the kindest-hearted members of this forum is attacking you (a wee bit). Else I'll have to sic the makeup fairy on you.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Awww, dont be such a cynic! The second para does sound a wee bit presumptuous and patronising... but will defer to your seniority on the board...

Don't kill the messenger. Lit is a great place, if you know your limits and stay in the areas that suit you. For instance, if you like flaming piles of shit thrown in every direction, then the Playground is the place to play. If you prefer open and honest conversations with lots of fun and camaraderie, then the How To and HT Cafe are the places to hang out.

A few pointers
1 - Newbs will get a smack down if they are rude or out of line with their posts.
2 - If we don't know you, you have no business making innuendo at us.
3 - Private messaging isn't for propositioning other members.
4 - We've all been here long enough to recognize a troll when we see one and won't hesitate to call them out.
5 - Know your place, e.g., The Playground, How to, HT Cafe, etc. Behavior in one area is not welcomed in others and you'll be let know about it in no uncertain terms.

Having said all that, welcome to Lit, I look forward to getting to know you.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Don't be so quick to try to assume one of the kindest-hearted members of this forum is attacking you (a wee bit). Else I'll have to sic the makeup fairy on you.

Not that SweetE needs any of our help, but an attack on her would instigate a pretty thorough trouncing of the perpetrator by the rest of us. Don't be messing with our SweetE!!

 

[Kikori]

Not that SweetE needs any of our help, but an attack on her would instigate a pretty thorough trouncing of the perpetrator by the rest of us. Don't be messing with our SweetE!!

Depends on if she hears a baby crying or not during her own personal anti-trolling steps. I'd count the possibility as more important than a troll enough to not want her to have to bother herself. :glee:

Disclaimer: This is hypothetical. I'm not calling serpent a troll.

 

[SweetErika]

Awww, dont be such a cynic! The second para does sound a wee bit presumptuous and patronising... but will defer to your seniority on the board...

I freely admitted I might be making assumptions that were totally wrong, but I'm not quite sure how my post came across as cynical or patronizing.

It's just how I interpreted your post and some friendly advice based on a lot of experience with this community. Take it or leave it as you see fit, and I apologize if I didn't make my intentions clear.

<snip>For instance, if you like flaming piles of shit thrown in every direction, then the Playground is the place to play.

I haven't been there for quite sometime, but I've always thought the Playground was mostly over-sweetened fluff. The GB, OTOH, is exactly what you describe with a few good threads thrown in for good measure.

Excellent pointers that any n00b would do well to heed, though.

 

[NippleMuncher]

I haven't been there for quite sometime, but I've always thought the Playground was mostly over-sweetened fluff. The GB, OTOH, is exactly what you describe with a few good threads thrown in for good measure.

Excellent pointers that any n00b would do well to heed, though.

I stand corrected, my apologies to the Playground folks, it was the GB I was thinking of.

Excellent pointers that any n00b would do well to heed, though.

Especially that part about picking on our SweetE ...

 

[bucaneer]

Erika I would love to read your story but the link is down. Would you mind sending me it?
Thanks ;-)

 

[Mac98]

No one's gonna' "judge" you here on HT or HTForum... it is not the way of our people...

 

[Quoll]

(snip,snippity snip snip)letting your natural intelligence shine through

Uh yup.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a6/Goofy.svg/34px-Goofy.svg.png





Welcome to Lit.

 

[SweetErika]

Erika I would love to read your story but the link is down. Would you mind sending me it?
Thanks ;-)

It must be your internet or something. It works fine for me, and I've received feedback on it recently.

Direct link: http://www.literotica.com/stories/showstory.php?id=281708

 

[Eilan]

No one's gonna' "judge" you here on HT or HTForum... it is not the way of our people...

I've seen plenty of judgment on this forum.

 

[Quoll]

I've seen plenty of judgment on this forum.

Well yes, but we all know your reading comprehension sucks.

 

[Eilan]

Well yes, but we all know your reading comprehension sucks.

I feel like you're judging me.

http://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gif

^^
Nanas on meth.

 

[coastal-boy]

fuck...I couldn't make it through the first post...I hate lists that go beyond two. No one cares beyond that point. Let me make a Lit List for newbies:

1) Have fun
2) Ignore those that annoy you

 

[Cathleen]

Welcome to the board, serpent.

No need for fear and loathing, just be yourself and we can all get to know one another.


Oh and people that use those flippin' nanas are nuts!

 

[Quoll]

I feel like you're judging me.

http://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gif

^^
Nanas on meth.

Welcome to the board, serpent.

No need for fear and loathing, just be yourself and we can all get to know one another.


Oh and people that use those flippin' nanas are nuts!

http://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gif
Yeah that's just way over the top.





In a non judgemental way of course.

 

[whambam]

http://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gifhttp://www.runningforums.com/uploads/smilies2/nanaparty.gif
Yeah that's just way over the top.





In a non judgemental way of course.

My eyes! My eyes!

 

[NippleMuncher]

I think y'all done scaret OP away with all that nana dancing!

 

[Mac98]

I've seen plenty of judgment on this forum.

Pffff! No way! The only people that judge here or ridicule thread-starters are people who've accidentally wandered too far away from the GB... other than that, HT-natives are classy, respectable people with open minds (Well, most of them, at least).

Stop scaring the newbies!! Leave them alone! Come on, Noob, let's git atta' here!

 

[serpentwrap]

First of all, I wasn't trying to attack anyone at all, least of all Sweet Erika. I had just voiced my apprehensions honestly, thassall.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear enough. I am a newbie to this forum, but I aint new to discussion boards in general. I used to be quite a regular poster at well.com. And a few others too. So I know the ettiquettes and that
1. Honesty is truly the best policy
2. Forums and PMs are not a place to proposition or be rude
3. Seniority on teh board deserves some amount of deference
4. Trolls are as repugnant as bullies. And both need to be told off or ignored.

I, for one, haven't come to literotica to hook up with people. Real life is complicated enough. I have come here for some literary erotica, a vanishing art indeed... Erotica can be as sublime as philosophy, and as effective as good literature. Erotica to me, is not couplings, erotica is not exchange of body fluids, erotica is not about getting one's rocks off, though all of these might be erotica's welcome tangible manifestation.

Some of teh discussions I have lurked in are truly inspiring, others not. Its indeed like real life: sum of the good, bad and teh ugly. Net families are exactly the same. A newbie will face skepticism, resistance, indifference and then acceptance...

Guess I'm in one of the stages... Lovely to be here, and I thank all of you