That's it

[dr_mabeuse]

Okay. I'm an asshole. I'm a curmudgeon. If I don't like it here I should leave. And I fucking will, but not without a parting shot or two.

Is this what you people want this place to be? A place to announce pregnancies and bitch about domestic matters? A place to talk sports and post vacation snaps?

If that's all we've got to say then I say hang it up. This place has more to do with flower arranging than it does with anything having to do with writing. This entire board belongs in the General category. That's where groups of friends meet to chat and exchange family news. Or it's supposed to be.

If I don't like it, why don't I post something different? Because I don't have to post anymore to know the answers I'm going to get. I can predict them.

Isn't there anyone here who has anything to say about writing? About anything interesting? I make a joke post about how to hang toilet paper and people answer! Why not? What else is this board about?

You know Greasham's Law? It says that the bad drives out the good. Is that's what's at work here? What happened to the people who used to have opinions and ideas? They're all gone.

I just want to know: is this what you want?

---dr.M.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Hi, dr. M.--

Just wanted to clear something up. Are you talking about Author's Hangout?

 

[raphy]

I'm sure we've been over this before..

What would you have, Dr M? A dormant messageboard that only sees one thread a month when someone actually has a legitemate authoring/writing query?

And we take all the other stuff to the general board?

In my experience with communities that are based around internet messageboards (and that's what this is, make no mistake about that) is that when there's nothing specifically on-topic to talk about, people like to shoot the breeze.

Yes, this is the Author's Hangout. Yes, we use it to discuss literary techniques. I think in my short time here, I've contributed to my fair share of threads on that subject, and even started one or two of my own.

But that's all done, sometimes we like to just hang out and talk. Maybe we need another board where the subject is "The place for the people from AH to go when they don't want to talk literature but don't want to inflict the riot that is known as the General Board on themselves'..

AH is both those boards in one. A place to talk about literature, writing and all that stuff - But also a place for people who like to talk about literature, writing and all that stuff to just 'be', when they're not talking about literature, writing and all that stuff.

Raph, who has no desire to enter the no-holds-barred fray in General, but would be terribly bored if the only stuff posted in AH was writing-related.

 

[wildsweetone]

Without wishing to put my great hoofing foot into my own mouth yet again, I agree 100 percent with you dr.

Frankly, for the last couple of months the AH has turned more into a Gen DiscussionBoard.

I'm bored stiff with it.

There's very little interesting or enhancing for my own writing skills when all I'm doing is sitting flicking through thread after thread about internet bills, baseball, races, brazilian trips, venting etc.

It's a complete waste of my own precious time.

Resolution:
Split this forum in the same manner the BDSM forum has been split. One area for the chitchat and one area for the writing topics. The area for the chitchat should be easily arrived at for new people who automatically have their arses kicked because they dared to come in and say hi, and the writing area can be for those of us who actually wish to improve our skills.

Okay I've done it. Gone and put my foot in my mouth and chewed it too.

Sorry, I don't wish to offend anyone, I just want to say that I don't like the way the Hangout has lingered in this manner for such a long time.

Keep your chitchat, but make an area for dedicated learners.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Please let's not get into this fucking discussion again. I thought last time was enough and everyone agreed on something. Author's Hangout is, crazy as it may sound, a place where authors hangout.

SDC was supposed to grow to encompass more writing-specific issues and discussion of literary techniques, and it seems to be working out perfectly well...

 

[wildsweetone]

I'm sure we've been over this before..

AH is both those boards in one. A place to talk about literature, writing and all that stuff - But also a place for people who like to talk about literature, writing and all that stuff to just 'be', when they're not talking about literature, writing and all that stuff.

It isn't possible to have serious writing threads here because the majority of them inadvertently get taken over by the chitchat postings that frequent all the threads.

 

[Alex De Kok]

Okay, Doc, you make a valid point, but so does Raphy. I confess I've been skipping a lot of the posts in the Hangout as irrelevant, but then along comes something like NaNoWriMo which has got me enthusiastic about writing again and I've been enjoying some banter with the other participants about it. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is about writing. We're not supposed to start until November 1 so all we can do is talk about it. Where better than the Hangout? I do think that discussion of writing topics deserves not to be lost in the mire - perhaps it is time to promote a separate area - or boost the use of the SDC or perhaps the Editor's Forum

Alex

 

[Icingsugar]

Okay. I'm an asshole. I'm a curmudgeon. If I don't like it here I should leave. And I fucking will, but not without a parting shot or two.

Thanks. That was very considareate of you. A good sound bashing always cheers me up.

Is this what you people want this place to be? A place to announce pregnancies and bitch about domestic matters? A place to talk sports and post vacation snaps?

So, your advice it that when we don't have anything very educated to say about wordsmitting, we should shut up? Sorry, doc. No can do. Being social persons means we socialise and interact as well as talk shop. I talk writing with the same bunch that I have gotten to know and enjoy socialising with.

If that's all we've got to say then I say hang it up.

Well then, then we don't have too. Because that is not all we've got to say.

Isn't there anyone here who has anything to say about writing? About anything interesting? I make a joke post about how to hang toilet paper and people answer! Why not? What else is this board about?

I have heaps and piles of things to say about writitng. And I'm willing to share my limited knowledge and unlimited opinion vault to anyone who asks. And, mind you, I think that that does happen on a regular basis. However, cramming out new "acceptable" thread subjects just for the heck of it? If I feel reason to, I will. Until then I keep interactin'.

So what do you, good doctor, suggest?

 

[Icingsugar]

Please let's not get into this fucking discussion again. I thought last time was enough and everyone agreed on something. Author's Hangout is, crazy as it may sound, a place where authors hangout.

SDC was supposed to grow to encompass more writing-specific issues and discussion of literary techniques, and it seems to be working out perfectly well...

Ah. I missed this last round. So I'll end my rant right here and now. Won't stop me from posting the occational heavier writing thread here tho.

 

[otherdarkmeat]

Thread Hijacking

Hello all,

I'm an admitted lurker who has been prowling this forum for the past couple months. I figured this was as good a time as any for my introductory post.

I believe that Raphy and Alex made a very logical and reasonable point about the blend of topics you might encounter in a forum labeled "Author's Hangout".

I also believe that Dr. Mabeuse represents a far end of the spectrum and some of the other AH members represent the other end. Both have their places, and there can be compromise.

But that's not the point I'm here to make. My point is about hijacking threads. For example, Markyoni made a request for assistance in developing his story. One would think that the Author's Hangout would be an appropriate place for that sort of request. Several other members of the AH then proceeded to hijack his thread. If there is room for both literary queries and non-writing related chat, what is the need to derail someone's thread if he/she has made a valid request? Out of 8 respondents, only one person made a valid response to the original request.

There's compromise, and there's just plain rudeness. Does everyone know the difference?

-Mike B.

 

[Guest]

Okay. I'm an asshole. I'm a curmudgeon. ... Isn't there anyone here who has anything to say about writing? About anything interesting?

Mab., you do this what, like every couple months or so? Nothing new from you either, bub.

I can't think of many writerly topics that haven't been discussed and I've only been here since April. If you look at the thread titles for at least a couple pages you'll see what you've missed authorly-wise. Presently I am enjoying Ogg's opus, and though she doesn't believe me I am avoiding MG's scatological ABC's. I'm also planning to write a novel in Nov. and will be posting among my fellow 'authors'. Simple, eh?

You can tell what a thread's about from the titles so just browse and pick, go away if you don't find anything. It's so simple, why don't you have the hang of it yet?

Lastly, I agree with your own self labeling.

Perdita

 

[destinie21]

Don't leave doc
if you have a problem with the posts here why don't you or take it upon yourself to post something relevant instead of being clever and posting tongue in cheek threads, then shouting see see if someone responds. I happen to like hearing about other people's good news and thoughts and venting. And no it's not at all like the general board or so I'd hoped but it seems people are becoming just as petty and unlearned arid here as they are there so maybe you're right. I would like to point out the irony in you complaining via a vent/rant no matter what title the thread comes under it's the very thing you are so disenchanted with

 

[MathGirl]

I think Dr M is going to disappear for a while just so I will start a thread of poems wondering where he is.
MG

 

[sweetnpetite]

Well, I adore Dr_M, but still...

I have to agree with the idea that this is a 'hangout' And to tell you the truth, I'm not a big fan of the splitting of the boards in BDSM, either. Writers have quite a few boards, and I consider WH to be something of a 'general board' for writers. For instance, I posted the John Ritter thread here, because different people frequent here than the GB, and I wanted to hear from you all. I already *know* that the AH people are not going to go to the GB to check for a thread that I started!

Now, to be specific, there is:

Story Feedback
Poetry feedback and discussion
Authors Hangout
Editors Forum (for editing issues)
Story Discussion Circle
Story Ideas
Awards and Contests
and
HOW TO (which could be for writerly questions, sex questions, computer questions or whatever.)

Personally, I do wish it wasnt' to "lunch table-ee" here. I pretty much cruis all the boards as the mood strikes me. Then recently I fell under attack on the GB for my sigline which unfortunatly soured me slightly to the GB's charms. For me as soon as someone starts saying "you don't belong here, take your thread and go" I start to feel very junior high and quite frankly very passive aggressive.

So can't we all just get along?

 

[ffreak]

from sweetnpetite:
So can't we all just get along?

Here, here!

Doc, I like your insightful critiquing of all things Lit. But I have to disagree with most of your rant.

With the exception of the couple of threads that have been taken over with the same enthusiasm for mud slinging pollution that I find common in the General Board, even hijacked threads, and trivial subject threads in the Hangout are written with far better language than I find anywhere else on the Board with the exception of the forums listed by sweetnpetite above.

As such, all of the unpolluted threads still constitute aids to the writer. Understanding the nature of conversation is critical to good writing. In order to make a story believable, it must follow the flow of thought that other people will understand. I find most posted conversations in the AH to be educational even in the good natured banter that goes on between friends and critics. Even the recent purgatorial vomit that ensued between folks here and an interloper that wanted to bring the GB trash talk disease to the AH was analytical and generally useful in understanding how to and how not to express points for the purpose of trying to sway the opinions of others.

Treatise-like postings from a few of us that delve far too deeply to keep an audience for long also provide enlightenment for those willing to dig through the word muck to decipher our points.

A good story has rhythm, it has pace, it has it's ups and downs, it's frantic race and it's share of breaks so the characters and the readers and get back to normal life before the onslaught of the next crisis that pits them against others.

So too, the AH sometimes intrudes on the domain of the Discussion forums, and sometimes the AH allows writers to sit around at the coffee table and shoot the breeze, letting their heads clear, thinking about what has gone before and what they want to do next. Until they make a decision and move to the next action, they rest and recuperate and listen for ideas and plan and encourage.

You're a good critic, Doc, and we will provide you with more work. Patience, my boy.

-FF (pillows are a good thing on which to sit)

 

[wildsweetone]

Nothing needs to be lost by having a sub forum in the Hangout.

It would simply be easier for the 'chill out' threads and the 'writerly' threads to be more easily distinguished by both new comers and existing members.

 

[LorriLove]

hiya

I love it here dm, authors hangout, hangout i take to mean somewhere to relax as well as have a serious chat.

i try not to post anything to threads i don't understand, (not being a very clever author and all), but love hi-jacking the crap threads about the price of onions and the like.

it's just a case of balance, and i rather agree that lately there do seem to have been rather a lot of, 'hay look at me aren't i clever', or 'hay everyone you've all got to listen to my life story and then post replies telling me how fucking brilliant i am', regardless of whether i have the common decency to even aknowledge you exist by thanking you for your reply.

a very good on-line friend has just moved away from the ah for a while due to the number of crap threads and due to the 'ignorant little shits' who who totally ignored him and everything he wrote to their crap threads, even though he was trying to be polite and friendly.

as i say balance though, lets carry on chatting with each other in light hearted threads, but also lets be serious when it's needed, and don't go away dm, don't let the twats drive another one away.

lorri xxxxx

 

[Seattle Zack]

I'm kind of a newbie here, so I'm not sure if my comments have any relevance (I wasn't around, after all, when the AH was apparently such a shining but rather stodgy beacon of literary fortitude) but I enjoy the coffeehouse atmosphere; I find it invigorating to interact with others who have similar literary aspirations.

I've attended structured writer's workshops and, while useful, I find them a little too sanctimonious. There are serious discussions about writing here, I've found. Even a forum post can be a delightful read, and that's what the people here seem to realize.

I also belong to a crossword constructor's forum, and the atmosphere there is much the same as the AH. We have serious discussions (like how to clue BOBS YOUR UNCLE) but people also talk about their vacations and such. Of course, there's more esnes, anoas, riatas, anoraks, and ogees thrown in than you'd find in general conversation, but that's their background.

It's nice being able to toss in a Kerouac reference and know that someone will get it, even if it's just part of a lighthearted post. The GB chatroom mentality is a nightmare compared to the relative thoughtfulness of the posts here -- well, most of them.

I do skip a lot of topics that I have no interest in -- I don't care who bought a new car or who had a fight with their mom -- but I think the literary bent is evident in most of the threads.

Just my take as a relative newcomer.
--Zack

 

[CWatson]

I like the idea of splitting the board into an Authors' Hangout and an Authors' Hangout, and that's for one simple--and slightly snobbish--reason.

I like having a board that authors and only authors post at.

The writers 'round the AH tend to be literate, consciencious and full of useful, interesting things to say. That's not necessarily true of the population at the General Board. (Though admittedly, I haven't spent much time there, so I don't know for certain.) I feel like my peers are here and my... Well, non-peers... Are there. And as snobbish at it may be, I like it that way.

(And as an post-script: Dr_Mab, I'd be quite dismayed if you left.)


~CWatson

 

[English Lady]

I was all for the split last time we talked about it too..I likeWSO's idea, it's not breaking up the authors hangout but just making it easier to sort though.

Dr M...you would be missed here and you know that but if your unhappy then you should stay away. going over and over this topic isn't going to change anything.

 

[oggbashan]

Words, mere words

I think Dr. M is missing the point of some of the frivolous threads or the light-hearted interruptions to some more serious threads.

Most of us who contribute to the AH are fond of words and language. Many of the "frivolous" posts can be read as playing with meaning, interpretation and mis-interpretation.

My own recent thread on Spam I started because I liked the different meanings that could be read into the title of the message.

There is much in the AH that is informative and helpful. If you post a genuine query there is usually one or more attempts at a serious reply even when some of the questions might be better asked elsewhere.

I don't object to threads that I do not appreciate. I do not understand baseball but I realise that many people do and are willing to use language to describe the skill and competition that takes place.

I think that personal information is also valid and of interest to many of us. I appreciate Svenskaflicka's dilemma in the training courses she is required to undertake. I have been through similar experiences and find her writing (for that is what it is) very direct and compelling. I can imagine myself in that lecture room. I picked Svenskaflicka as an example because her posts are informative. I wish some stories in Literotica had such a distinctive "voice".

I appreciate Dr. M's contributions here and elsewhere in Literotica. He is very helpful when asked for advice and puts considerable effort into assisting people. I just wish he could sometimes be as tolerant of other people's enjoyment as he is of new authors' efforts and that he would ignore the aspects of the AH that he doesn't like just as I ignore baseball.

On the rare occasions that I visit the General Board I have to ignore more threads than I follow. I am willing to explore most threads in the AH because of the normal tolerance between the members which seems lacking in much of the GB.

What I can't understand is that Dr.M exhibits genuine tolerance and friendliness elsewhere. Unless he is Dr.M and Mr. Hyde I can only assume that he is trying to generate an argument for the argument's sake as he tried with guacomole and toilet rolls.

Og

 

[MathGirl]

I wasn't around, after all, when the AH was apparently such a shining but rather stodgy beacon of literary fortitude

Dear Zack,
I guess I missed that AH era, too. I've been around here for about a year, and the place has always been about like it is now.

Oh, there are ups and downs, turns and twists, but it always remains the same: unpredictable.
MG
Ps. There is only one thing here that can always be relied upon: I'm cute as a button.

 

[ffreak]

Yes - oh, we aren't voting yet?

I second that motion - definately - buttons are cute, none cuter than Math's.

So, getting back to the stodginess, is there any kind of writing that is not beneficial for a writer to do? Consider that there are a great many of us who write in more than one genre (not all audiences are interested in the x-rated portion of what we write here). Is there any kind of writing, besides pedophilia, that we would not explore here at the Hangout?

-FF (I'm trying to be good, honest I am)

 

[Chicklet]

Splitting The AH Like The BDSM Forum

Do I have to remind everyone that we tried that, and a HUGE majority voted to keep the AH the way it was?

WSO, I try so hard to start author/writing themed threads, and very rarely do I start a "just for fun" thread. I don't know why I need to be attacked for starting it, when the majority voted a few months ago that what they wanted from this forum was a HANGOUT and not a stiff author/writing related board. I only start non-related threads because of what people voted for.

I wanted to split the forum. Many people did. The majority didn't.

that's my say.

Chicklet

 

[oggbashan]

Re: Splitting The AH Like The BDSM Forum

WSO, I try so hard to start author/writing themed threads, and very rarely do I start a "just for fun" thread. I don't know why I need to be attacked for starting it, ... Chicklet

You asked whether we wanted your thread about your holiday. The answer was yes.

I think WE are being attacked for wanting to know about your holiday.

Og