Is the AH nothing more than the GB?

[CharleyH]

I thought it was...once.

 

[Lee Chambers]

I don't think so. When I first found Lit several years ago I visited the GB and couldn't stand it. Granted people here have pretty strong opinions about things that go on in the world but from what I've seen they generally discuss and argue things and a civilized manner...at least compared to the GB. I would say GB is more like anarchy without the drugs to deal with it and the weapons to kill people with.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I think Charley is referring more to the "fun" and less writerly threads than anything else.

 

[English Lady]

I've found that one isn't neccesarily better than the other, they're just different.

The GB is very in your face, but alot of people, in fact I'd say the majority of folks over there are playing at it and it's all a strange, strange play with bit parts, main actors and a minor players. I'm not saying they're all two faced-quite the opposite in fact, but I do think people like to play rough over there, you need a bit of a thick skin to post there, but it can be really worth it sometimes. There are some fascinating characters there


The Ah is slower, less openly hostile and has a Authorly aspect that you really don't find on the GB except for the very, very odd thread especially about literotica stories. It has a more defined community (hence the ever recurring Clique threads) which happily leaps into the realm of the real world to help out a person in need.


So, I think that was my long, waffling way of saying - They're different, with some similarities.

 

[CharleyH]

I think Charley is referring more to the "fun" and less writerly threads than anything else.

I like fun, Crim! Want some? However you are more correct.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

I thought it was...once.

No idea, as I've never been to the GB....

 

[CharleyH]

I've found that one isn't neccesarily better than the other, they're just different.

The GB is very in your face, but alot of people, in fact I'd say the majority of folks over there are playing at it and it's all a strange, strange play with bit parts, main actors and a minor players. I'm not saying they're all two faced-quite the opposite in fact, but I do think people like to play rough over there, you need a bit of a thick skin to post there, but it can be really worth it sometimes. There are some fascinating characters there


The Ah is slower, less openly hostile and has a Authorly aspect that you really don't find on the GB except for the very, very odd thread especially about literotica stories. It has a more defined community (hence the ever recurring Clique threads) which happily leaps into the realm of the real world to help out a person in need.

But are not AH'ers"playing at it?" I am not certain (as Crim observes me) that there is much on the authorly front here? What makes the AH 'different and stand out from the GB?" Really.

 

[Equinoxe]

Considering you are about the only person who seems interested in starting writing threads, I'm going to go with "no" on that.

However, more broadly: my opinion as someone who posts at both is the same, "no". There are a handful of notable differences between the two boards, perhaps the most significant being that the GB actually attracts trolls whereas the AH generally does not (although in both cases people play the role regularly even if they are not so always). Certain differences which I am going to, with some degree of irony, characterise as cultural do exist, although they are more or less cosmetic. Nevertheless, for the most part the general community roles are the same. The main differences are explainable merely by virtue of difference in the size of the boards.

Lastly, despite pretensions to the contrary, the AH is not especially civil in debate (I say that not as a criticism but merely as a comment), although arguably more so than most, or at least certain, debates on the GB -- depending upon who is involved.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I've found that one isn't neccesarily better than the other, they're just different.

The GB is very in your face, but alot of people, in fact I'd say the majority of folks over there are playing at it and it's all a strange, strange play with bit parts, main actors and a minor players. I'm not saying they're all two faced-quite the opposite in fact, but I do think people like to play rough over there, you need a bit of a thick skin to post there, but it can be really worth it sometimes. There are some fascinating characters there


The Ah is slower, less openly hostile and has a Authorly aspect that you really don't find on the GB except for the very, very odd thread especially about literotica stories. It has a more defined community (hence the ever recurring Clique threads) which happily leaps into the realm of the real world to help out a person in need.


So, I think that was my long, waffling way of saying - They're different, with some similarities.

I concur. There is the occassional psychopath, but that can pop up anywhere. Kbate lives there, and she's really cool, so that counts for a lot. I call it "rough fun" what happens over there, although it sometimes gets ugly - like children ganging up on one kid and not knowing when to stop. It's too fast moving for me - I think I'm too old. AH usually moves at just the right pace, although very rarely I am tempted to dip into the torridness for bit.

 

[CharleyH]

Considering you are about the only person who seems interested in starting writing threads

Am I?

 

[CharleyH]

However, more broadly: my opinion as someone who posts at both is the same, "no". There are a handful of notable differences between the two boards, perhaps the most significant being that the GB actually attracts trolls whereas the AH generally does not (although in both cases people play the role regularly even if they are not so always). Certain differences which I am going to, with some degree of irony, characterise as cultural do exist, although they are more or less cosmetic. Nevertheless, for the most part the general community roles are the same. The main differences are explainable merely by virtue of difference in the size of the boards.

Lastly, despite pretensions to the contrary, the AH is not especially civil in debate (I say that not as a criticism but merely as a comment), although arguably more so than most, or at least certain, debates on the GB -- depending upon who is involved.

lol Somewhat of a good answer.

 

[Equinoxe]

Am I?

Admittedly, I'm being slightly flippant, but you seem to be a prime motivator of writing threads.

Furthermore, by virtue of the existence of this thread, I can only assume you are not unaware of that.

 

[Misty_Morning]

No idea, as I've never been to the GB....

It's kinda like some of the bars that I have been to in my younger days...

If you don't possess a gun or a knife when they check you at the door...

They thrust one upon you just to make things "appear" to be kinda equal when they wheel you out on a cart........

 

[CharleyH]

I concur. There is the occassional psychopath, but that can pop up anywhere. Kbate lives there, and she's really cool, so that counts for a lot. I call it "rough fun" what happens over there, although it sometimes gets ugly - like children ganging up on one kid and not knowing when to stop. It's too fast moving for me - I think I'm too old. AH usually moves at just the right pace, although very rarely I am tempted to dip into the torridness for bit.

Thanks for your take, RoxA.

 

[English Lady]

But are not AH'ers"playing at it?" I am not certain (as Crim observes me) that there is much on the authorly front here? What makes the AH 'different and stand out from the GB?" Really.

Well yes, maybe we're all "playing at it." to some extent.

There are more authorly threads hee than at the GB. Writing excercises, Chain story starters, searches for certain words and phrases, research for stories/novels (lots near NaNoWriMo time) the occassial thread on reading material, posts about paid athorly things and writing competitions.

It might not be ALL writerly, but this is the hangout not the work room. This is where we come to chill out and relax.


Oh and Equinoxe -I agree with you, debates here are not that civil*L*

 

[Grushenka]

... but this is the hangout not the work room. This is where we come to chill out and relax.

I appreciate this post. I've been trying (though not with extraordinary effort) since I joined last November, to figure out what the AH is. I did first expect more writing and literary discussion (yesterday I was overjoyed to be able to lend support to the author who was worrying the word forment).

I've stayed away from the politically and news minded threads, at times they are overwhelming and not all that many people really seem to 'listen' to each other. I had my run-in very early with Amicus in what I thought a rather fun (NOT political) thread I started, and decided that was that (with Amicus and any controversy).

The place seems to be very social, I see who's attached to whom, etc., and certain clubby type groups. That's fine, I've had my experience with online friendships, but it's not why I visit here. I must say there have already been a few times when I've posted somewhat 'seriously' in a thread and then been utterly ignored. However, after feeling that way recently someone actually sent me a personal note asking about my post, so there's hope, n'est pas?

Well, that's my bit. I'll keep checking in a while more.

Btw, Charly, your posting style often makes me smile. I like your attitude and general esprit.

 

[English Lady]

I appreciate this post. I've been trying (though not with extraordinary effort) since I joined last November, to figure out what the AH is. I did first expect more writing and literary discussion (yesterday I was overjoyed to be able to lend support to the author who was worrying the word forment).

I've stayed away from the politically and news minded threads, at times they are overwhelming and not all that many people really seem to 'listen' to each other. I had my run-in very early with Amicus in what I thought a rather fun (NOT political) thread I started, and decided that was that (with Amicus and any controversy).

The place seems to be very social, I see who's attached to whom, etc., and certain clubby type groups. That's fine, I've had my experience with online friendships, but it's not why I visit here. I must say there have already been a few times when I've posted somewhat 'seriously' in a thread and then been utterly ignored. However, after feeling that way recently someone actually sent me a personal note asking about my post, so there's hope, n'est pas?

Well, that's my bit. I'll keep checking in a while more.

Btw, Charly, your posting style often makes me smile. I like your attitude and general esprit.

We all have those posts that seem to get ignored - it's deflating, but really it's just one of those things -I don't think it's ever done on purpose

We have cycles, sometimes there's lots and lots of writing threads, sometimes it seems like it's all political and other times it's mostly fluff but generally there's an interesting mix which keeps me here mostly, and as a rare poster on other sections of lit.

Hope to see more of your posts

 

[Grushenka]

Hope to see more of your posts

Thank you!

 

[Goldie Munro]

I love the AH for its relaxed style - its not too gung ho - and it has a broad base of posters. The GB is fast and brash - not a bad thing but just different!

 

[Trombonus]

I feel like I can be myself more in the AH, and even in the Playground as well. I've dabbled in all three areas (AH, PG, GB), as well as the SRP area, but I feel most comfortable in the AH. Of course, SRP doesn't count since you're playing a character anyway. I was almost entirely ignored in the GB, and I got tired of all the game threads in the PG. Here at least people talk to me now (althought it took a while to get noticed by most people). Almost all the people I consider friends are here on the AH.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Here at least people talk to me now (althought it took a while to get noticed by most people). Almost all the people I consider friends are here on the AH.

That happens around here... sometimes it takes quite a while to kind of get noticed...

 

[Trombonus]

That happens around here... sometimes it takes quite a while to kind of get noticed...

It's cool, I'm just glad to be accepted. I felt kinda intimidated here too you know, but I have gotten gradually more comfortable. Still a bit intimidated. I know I'm light years behind everyone else in my writing skills, but I've learned alot and have continued to learn.

Just yesterday I recieved a new comment on my first story here on lit. She had read my edited version, which I submitted after following Aurora Black's advice. Anyway, this person made a comment about the very thing that I had changed (and it was a huge change). She hadn't read my original version, and I really felt thankful for the nAH and Aurora in particular, because she was so right and I never would have made such a change without her advice. I always take everyone's advice to heart and consciously make an effort to follow all the little tidbits I get when I write now, and I feel as though I'm getting better, which is really exciting for me. And people are so willing and happy to help. That's why I love the AH.

 

[CharleyH]

Hmm.... .... ...

 

[Guest]

This reply doesn't have much to do with the AH/GB dynamics, but I do remember how the hangout was a very different place.

Once upon a time ago it seemed the AH was nothing but "writerly" threads and really quite snobbish so being new to writing, very self-conscious and not feeling very welcome, I backed out the forum for three years. This is when I discovered the PF & D forum where Angeline, smithpeter, Lauren Hynde and Wicked Eve said "good" on a few poems. I was encouraged to stay and learned through different poetry threads and gained more confidence in my writing skills in the play threads.

A few years later, and now it seems as if the forums have flipped-flopped. I don't know why, but I guess it's like what was said earlier, Literotica forums go through phases. Anyway, I feel a little more welcome in the AH and have good friends that I've come to known through the play threads as well as the writerly ones too.

As for the GB. I've only ventured in there to get the required number of posts for my av or user title. It's wrong using the GB like that, isn't?

 

[CharleyH]

This reply doesn't have much to do with the AH/GB dynamics, but I do remember how the hangout was a very different place.

Once upon a time ago it seemed the AH was nothing but "writerly" threads and really quite snobbish so being new to writing, very self-conscious and not feeling very welcome, I backed out the forum for three years. This is when I discovered the PF & D forum where Angeline, smithpeter, Lauren Hynde and Wicked Eve said "good" on a few poems. I was encouraged to stay and learned through different poetry threads and gained more confidence in my writing skills in the play threads.

A few years later, and now it seems as if the forums have flipped-flopped. I don't know why, but I guess it's like what was said earlier, Literotica forums go through phases. Anyway, I feel a little more welcome in the AH and have good friends that I've come to known through the play threads as well as the writerly ones too.

Should not an authors hangout be about ...well just that ... writing and authorial pursuits and topics related to them? Maybe someone was right for the wrong reasons a couple years ago. Maybe the AH does need a moderator, afterall.