How to Stop Lurking?

[CrazySexualGuy]

Any advice from former lurkers on how to break away and transition? I've been on Lit for a few months now, but I have been visiting the site for a couple of years. Only when I discovered the community of both authors and fans did I feel the want to join in. to It looks like a wonderful community and I'm eager to delve in, but certain shy qualities hinder my progress. Any tales of how former "noobs" and "lurkers" changed their ways? Any words of wisdom you would like to impart upon a figurative virgin to all of this? Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Feel free to send me a PM, be it just to say hello, introduce yourself, talk politics/sex/anything, etc.
(P.S.: I have socialized, albeit barely, with a few proactive Litsters, but nothing to boast about.)

 

[fire_breeze]

Any advice from former lurkers on how to break away and transition? I've been on Lit for a few months now, but I have been visiting the site for a couple of years. Only when I discovered the community of both authors and fans did I feel the want to join in. to It looks like a wonderful community and I'm eager to delve in, but certain shy qualities hinder my progress. Any tales of how former "noobs" and "lurkers" changed their ways? Any words of wisdom you would like to impart upon a figurative virgin to all of this? Any and all help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Feel free to send me a PM, be it just to say hello, introduce yourself, talk politics/sex/anything, etc.
(P.S.: I have socialized, albeit barely, with a few proactive Litsters, but nothing to boast about.)

Welcome to Lit.

The best way to stop lurking is to just jump right in. It seems, Rainbeautiful pointed out, you've begun to do that. (even though she won't eat raw meat )

Another way is to find a particular forum and 'hang out' there. Are you a budding author or a struggling poet? Then maybe any number of the author's and poet's hangout might appeal to you.

Are you an artist? Then you might call here home.

Maybe whips and chains excite you? Then check out the BDSM forums.

Perhaps you wish to discuss with other role players - if so this is the place for you.

Maybe you are the type who likes fun, flirty conversations of a playful nature, and you might want to call the Playground home.

Interested in serious discussion and are you someone who is willing to offer advice? The How-To caters to such a crowd.

Or maybe GBLT matters are close to your heart, which could be found at either the GBLT Chatter or at News and Issues.

But then again, you might be a fan of the AM Pics and you might feel right at home at the Darkroom Lounge.

I didn't mention the General Board, because you need a really thick skin and the last I hear, they just finished sacrificing two kitties and a virgin goat and now they are building a drum with koala skin. But hey, if that's your kink, go for it.

Do not forget the sub-forums.

If there's a thread that appeals to you, read a couple of posts to get a feel and then jump right in. If it's a game thread (the Playground, Darkroom Lounge and BDSM Cafe are examples that have quite a bit of them), please follow the rules. It's there that is very important to read a couple of pages to really understand how it goes (and if you get skipped, do NOT take it personally. Often, it just gets so busy. It's nothing against you). Once you found some place, just dive in and enjoy. Most people are extremely friendly and helpful. Except at the GB or so I am told.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[CoyoteTales]

It's not the first time...

...but the second and third and fifth time that are the hard bits. No innuendo intended.

A part of being a poster (to me) is to bring 'something new' to the discussion. If you're not a Questioner, you're either a Joiner or an Answerer.

A lot of 'first time posters' are Questioners. They softball toss up a question and hope someone answers it.

A good way to get some visibility is to Answer other people's questions -- you don't even have to be an expert, just someone with an opinion (and believe me, we alllll have opinions on sexual matters -- just some of us don't express it).

A Joiner is someone who neither Questions nor Answers, really, but finds a conversation thread worth adding their two cents in on, even if it's just a 'I really laughed at that one.'

Figure out what things you are least shy about doing, and focus on those things.

But the key trick here is to actually post on a semi-quasi-demi-regular basis. So people get to know 'you' as a name that's familiar.

Me, I'm definitely an Answerer. As you can see by this post.

-CT

 

[CBM514]

Find topics you can contribute to and do so meaningfully...or even better, start one of your own (but search first to be sure it hasn't been done 1000 times already!)

 

[Aphro]

Just start posting!

The Playground is an easy place to post, it is mostly fun threads. Or just find a topic that you can relate to and post your experiences.

You've broken the barrier now so...off you go!

 

[SmileyGirl]

You should also listen to the beautiful Rainshine. She always has valid comments and advice.

I started with word games it was the easiest thing for me. I find discussions a bit daunting as I'm young and although I sometimes have an opinion I'm never too eager to voice it as most people don't want to hear advice from someone alot younger. But on occassion I can't stop myself

 

[gagginforit]

Just start posting, and don't get discouraged if you're not welcomed with open arms. Most of the time when I join in threads I'm completely ignored. It's like my post is a black hole that people just jump over as if it's not there. You just have to keep at it. I tell myself that in all likelihood there is someone out there who notices and appreciates my posts.

 

[SamScribble]

Just start posting, and don't get discouraged if you're not welcomed with open arms. Most of the time when I join in threads I'm completely ignored. It's like my post is a black hole that people just jump over as if it's not there. You just have to keep at it. I tell myself that in all likelihood there is someone out there who notices and appreciates my posts.

Hey! Great post! Keep up the good work.

 

[LadyVer]

Sometimes I just lurk when I don't feel like talking. Sometimes I comment. Every once in a while I do my civic duty over on the gb and tell a poster to fo because he's being an ass...

 

[Que]

Turn off your Romulan cloaking device.

As you read make a comment...of anything... about anything.

Don't worry if anyone is reading what you write or not.

If you can't think of anything to say just quote somebody else and say I agree...(this works better though if you can find someone around here that you actually do agree with you)

 

[JuliaHandel]

Read stories. Even if you are not the great writer yet, read as many of the stories as you can find time for. Then, comment. Authors LOVE comments. They cringe when the votes roll in and no comments are to be seen. Nonny Mouses post occasionally, but signed comments from real Lit writers mean so much more to an author.
Check the Authors Hangout and Editors Hangout for active – heated, vigorous – discussions on writing and reading.

 

[CBM514]

Turn off your Romulan cloaking device.

As you read make a comment...of anything... about anything.

Don't worry if anyone is reading what you write or not.

If you can't think of anything to say just quote somebody else and say I agree...(this works better though if you can find someone around here that you actually do agree with you)

Haha! I'm glad you said that, sometimes I feel like I'm a thread killer!

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Read stories. Even if you are not the great writer yet, read as many of the stories as you can find time for. Then, comment. Authors LOVE comments. They cringe when the votes roll in and no comments are to be seen. Nonny Mouses post occasionally, but signed comments from real Lit writers mean so much more to an author.
Check the Authors Hangout and Editors Hangout for active – heated, vigorous – discussions on writing and reading.

I second that suggestion, and I would go one step further. Visit the Story Feedback forum and contribute to those threads. Find recent threads and read the stories mentioned therein, then come back and post your feedback. That's a great way to get in with the writing and reading crowd.

 

[gagginforit]

Hey! Great post! Keep up the good work.

LOL, thanks.

 

[Miles Long]

Probably the easiest way to get started is to send pm's full of cock pics to Rainshine and FakeaSmile. Doesn't even have to be your cock. In fact, the wider variety of cocks you can find the more they'll enjoy it. Good luck out there.

 

[SmileyGirl]

Yes it's true, Miles is the cockatar collector King of Lit......he especially loves "cock and onions and splitcock cockatars"

 

[Que]

Haha! I'm glad you said that, sometimes I feel like I'm a thread killer!

No...IB Thread Killa #1 fo sho!

It used to bother me to be the last commenter on so many threads as if I completely pulled all the air from the room.

I decided though that I just sum things up so succinctly that often no more needs to be said.

You gotta love the OP though: one and only one post lamenting his inability to post anything -inspired more thread discussion then nearly all of my threads.

 

[Lord Pmann]

I have to say, I'm more of a thread derailer, sadly. Sometimes I'll see fuckwits post shit that can't go unnoticed and I just have to address it. I'm sure it gets annoying at times, but what are ya gonna do? I try to keep MOST OF my derailing in the ht cafe, but that doesn't always happen. I do try to give my sage advice too, so I can offer something other than my delightful charm and wit.

I really like the How To people. The Playground is a bit busy for my tastes. I rarely post there unless I'm on a stalking mission.

But hey, some girls like guys who lurk in the shadows. I'm surprised it's not a whole sub forum.

 

[CrazySexualGuy]

Thank you everyone for all of your advice and help! Seeing everyone's replies to this thread has really inspired me to try and post more. I really feel more open to posting now, especially seeing how receptive everyone is to posts, even from inexperienced Lit. members like myself. I will try my best to be more active in the community. Once again thank you all.