Post by MontiLee on Jan 11, 2010 18:55:12 GMT -5
Grievings and Salivations and welcome to the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers Message Board. Since you’ve taken the time to see what we’re about, take a few more minutes to read through these Forum FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions, for the novitiate). As we grow we’ll be adding to these, so be sure to check back to make sure you’re still in the loop!
Q. Back on the other message board I was on, we always…
A. *whistle* Hang on a minute, Soldier. This isn’t the other message board. While we’re writers and readers and lovers of the written words, we are by no means like other people. We’re actually pretty scary. Leave your expectations at the door and get to know us before telling us how things are run someplace else. Chances are, we’ll tell you exactly where to go. We’re writers of different calibers and skill and publishing credits. You may want to spend a few days (weeks even) checking out the different posting styles before you hop in with both feet – unless you’re feeling wicked and dangerous.
Q. I’ve been published at X and Y and BBAC! Why won't people treat me with respect? I have so much wisdom to share!
A. It’s funny you should bring that up, because when you get down to brass tacks, we’re all here to learn, and even published authors can learn for those just starting out. If you bring that chip on your shoulder with your emotional baggage, complete with your “you betta recognize” carry-on, you can expect the porter to carry your crap right back onto the curb. Share your experiences in publishing, with writing, with that reader’s group with bi-polar reviewer, but leave the ego at the door. Many of us know each other in Meat Life, and our respect is based on contributions there as well as here. We don’t hand out Gold Stars just for showing up. Start posting intelligent, knowledgeable messages -- without delivering lectures or cut'n'pasting from other boards -- and then people will likely have a lot more positive feedback for you. Maybe. Really, I can make no promises.
Q. People disagree with everything I say. That's so mean!
A. No, it's discussion. If you make a claim or statement on the Internet, be prepared to have it picked apart and analyzed. Most likely someone's going to disagree with it at some point, and that's okay. That's the whole point of a discussion board, to get differing opinions. Here's a hint: if you make a statement, be prepared to back it up with facts that justify your position – or better, state right up front that it’s a strongly believed personal opinion. While it may not make everyone agree with you, at least it helps you look like you know what you're talking about. Also, bear in mind that if someone tells you your information is wrong (not just that they don't agree, but that it's blatantly false), don't take this as an attack. Ask them to show you WHY it's wrong, and consider the possibility that this might indeed be the case.
Q. That's not what I meant!
A. It might not be what you meant, but if you look back at your post, it may well be what you said. The message board isn't a chat room, so there's no need for urgency in typing. Take time to think about what you've written before you hit Post. As the writer, it's up to you to communicate effectively. Otherwise, people will indeed misunderstand what you meant -- because we're reading what you SAID. If you can’t be understood be a group of your peers, how do you expect to be understood by the masses?
Q. How come no one will give me the names of their agents or publishers?
A. Probably because no one gave them to us. Agents as well as publishers aren’t the kind of thing you pass around like cheap whores at a kegger. We’re all accomplished on various levels and if we have information about a magazine that’s accepting submissions or agents that are looking for new talent, we’ll post them here. However, keep in mind many of us have earned our credits through hard work and intensive writing. Your mom may think you’re a great writer, but until you get a few credits beneath your belt, she may be the only one.
Q. I put my email address in my post, and someone deleted it! Who did that? Are you trying to censor me?
A. That would be a moderator me, and no, we’re not. If you stick your email address in your post, you're setting yourself up for an inbox full of ads for Viagra, Nigerian bank scams, and goat porn. Instead of posting your email address, let anyone who wants to contact you do so by clicking on your profile, where your email address is hidden. Another option, to help avoid the Spambots, is to use the phrase "at" in place of the @ sign in your email, or to write out the word "dot". You could type your email as NewMessageBoardGuy [at] domain [dot] org.
Unless, of course, you *like* getting goat porn in your email box.
Q. Back on the other message board I was on, we always…
A. *whistle* Hang on a minute, Soldier. This isn’t the other message board. While we’re writers and readers and lovers of the written words, we are by no means like other people. We’re actually pretty scary. Leave your expectations at the door and get to know us before telling us how things are run someplace else. Chances are, we’ll tell you exactly where to go. We’re writers of different calibers and skill and publishing credits. You may want to spend a few days (weeks even) checking out the different posting styles before you hop in with both feet – unless you’re feeling wicked and dangerous.
Q. I’ve been published at X and Y and BBAC! Why won't people treat me with respect? I have so much wisdom to share!
A. It’s funny you should bring that up, because when you get down to brass tacks, we’re all here to learn, and even published authors can learn for those just starting out. If you bring that chip on your shoulder with your emotional baggage, complete with your “you betta recognize” carry-on, you can expect the porter to carry your crap right back onto the curb. Share your experiences in publishing, with writing, with that reader’s group with bi-polar reviewer, but leave the ego at the door. Many of us know each other in Meat Life, and our respect is based on contributions there as well as here. We don’t hand out Gold Stars just for showing up. Start posting intelligent, knowledgeable messages -- without delivering lectures or cut'n'pasting from other boards -- and then people will likely have a lot more positive feedback for you. Maybe. Really, I can make no promises.
Q. People disagree with everything I say. That's so mean!
A. No, it's discussion. If you make a claim or statement on the Internet, be prepared to have it picked apart and analyzed. Most likely someone's going to disagree with it at some point, and that's okay. That's the whole point of a discussion board, to get differing opinions. Here's a hint: if you make a statement, be prepared to back it up with facts that justify your position – or better, state right up front that it’s a strongly believed personal opinion. While it may not make everyone agree with you, at least it helps you look like you know what you're talking about. Also, bear in mind that if someone tells you your information is wrong (not just that they don't agree, but that it's blatantly false), don't take this as an attack. Ask them to show you WHY it's wrong, and consider the possibility that this might indeed be the case.
Q. That's not what I meant!
A. It might not be what you meant, but if you look back at your post, it may well be what you said. The message board isn't a chat room, so there's no need for urgency in typing. Take time to think about what you've written before you hit Post. As the writer, it's up to you to communicate effectively. Otherwise, people will indeed misunderstand what you meant -- because we're reading what you SAID. If you can’t be understood be a group of your peers, how do you expect to be understood by the masses?
Q. How come no one will give me the names of their agents or publishers?
A. Probably because no one gave them to us. Agents as well as publishers aren’t the kind of thing you pass around like cheap whores at a kegger. We’re all accomplished on various levels and if we have information about a magazine that’s accepting submissions or agents that are looking for new talent, we’ll post them here. However, keep in mind many of us have earned our credits through hard work and intensive writing. Your mom may think you’re a great writer, but until you get a few credits beneath your belt, she may be the only one.
Q. I put my email address in my post, and someone deleted it! Who did that? Are you trying to censor me?
A. That would be a moderator me, and no, we’re not. If you stick your email address in your post, you're setting yourself up for an inbox full of ads for Viagra, Nigerian bank scams, and goat porn. Instead of posting your email address, let anyone who wants to contact you do so by clicking on your profile, where your email address is hidden. Another option, to help avoid the Spambots, is to use the phrase "at" in place of the @ sign in your email, or to write out the word "dot". You could type your email as NewMessageBoardGuy [at] domain [dot] org.
Unless, of course, you *like* getting goat porn in your email box.
Thanks again, Patti.