We should try to read when new members post stuff

[justwrite]

Hey guys..in the past few days a few people posted queries and first pages and I'm not sure any of us gave them enough attention. If we want this forum to grow we should stay focused on the needs of newbies.

[teen-writer]

That's very true. I'm more inclined to read a newbie's work, though, after they make an introduction. If they just say, "Hello, read my first 20 pages...." or something to that effect, I don't really want to read.

I'll gladly read new queries, though. After all, the query is an introduction to their first pages.

[Patrick]

Good point jw.  We don't all have to respond, but if anyone notices a newbie post going unanswered you should do your patriotic duty and make an effort to help.  karma for jw for realizing

[audal]

I've also noticed some new stuff in the first-5 section.  To be totally upfront about this, I'm inclined to take Daniel's idea a step further.  I've been happy to chime in with thoughts on work thus far, but I'm on the fence when it comes to those who join & immediately post.  I guess this is just a personal thing, but I want to know that I'm facing more than just a hit-and-run post.  I'm a firm believer in cultivating a symbiosis in a forum such as this & would like to believe that those who ask will also offer in accord.

It's true that we should stay focused on new members, but I also want to stay focused on my new project.  I feel I need to see that some stripes have been earned before I cut into my oh-so-precious-writing-time (pretentious smiley?).

Anyway... not to ruffle any feathers... and feel free to delete this post if it comes across as less than inviting.  I just wanted to throw it out there because clearly these boards are on their way to hectic.  Wouldn't have it any other way, of course... but I know also that we want to be a community of writers more than we do instructors here, no?

[Patrick]

You make a good point audal.  Personally I find it very difficult to keep up with this forum, and still get anything done.  And it certainly would not be right for any of us to miss out on valuable writing time while critiquing the work of hit-and-run users.  There have been a few already who have posted their work and never anything else.  Some sites have a point system where your work will not be available for critique until after you have critiqued so much yourself.  I would like to do something like that as well, but not for a while yet.  In the mean time, I see nothing wrong with replying to them with a note which says something like, "Although your post is appreciated, you will likely receive more critiques if you take a few minutes to critique someone elses work first."  How does that sound?  And anyone can say it, it doesn't have to be me.

[Chelc]

Ya know, I completely understand the whole forums cutting into our valuable writing time thing, because since I joined here, I've done hardly any writing (except for that one time when I went crazy and blew my brains out, but that's another story).
But, I have learned SO much here, even in our off-topic discussions. And I think getting off topic is okay occasionally (though yes, 'occasionally' doesn't seem to be a fitting word for us ;))
I guess that what I'm getting at is, I don't know, since I joined, I've been more enlightened I suppose? of the writing world. I don't know how to describe it.

[justwrite]

I see what you guys mean and I agree. Maybe just an acknowledgement from one of us regulars to say hi, make a comment and suggest they introduce themselves first. But I think the quick acknowledgement is what got most of the people who hang out here to stick around in the first place.

[justwrite]

I feel an OTM coming on (off topic moment). That's so true, Chelc. Writing is a lonely business and it's great to have a place to go when the words won't come or you just need a break. I have that in my crit groups, but this is more "live" which is really fun. I also enjoy learning about writers who are not just writing what I write. I mean, we all have friends and lives (don't we?) but do your friends want to talk writing 24/7? Mine have at least learned to ask (and probably roll their eyes—how's that book coming? You published yet?). I'm sure you all know what I mean. So this kind of forum is really not taking away from our writing. It's adding to it.

[Chelc]

But I think the quick acknowledgement is what got most of the people who hang out here to stick around in the first place.

That last sentence was spot on Jw.
Plus there's the fact that you all are so gracious.
I mean, I was kind of expecting everyone here to be the stuck up, egotistic, "ooh look at me, I am all knowing" type people in the subject of writing. But in reality, there is a very good balance of both casualness and structure here. I haven't ever gotten the feeling that anyone was "fake" or putting on a show; you all act like yourselves while still giving excellent critiques.
I applaud you all 

[justwrite]

And get karma for saying so!!

[Chelc]

I feel an OTM coming on (off topic moment). That's so true, Chelc. Writing is a lonely business and it's great to have a place to go when the words won't come or you just need a break. I have that in my crit groups, but this is more "live" which is really fun. I also enjoy learning about writers who are not just writing what I write. I mean, we all have friends and lives (don't we?) but do your friends want to talk writing 24/7? Mine have at least learned to ask (and probably roll their eyes—how's that book coming? You published yet?). I'm sure you all know what I mean. So this kind of forum is really not taking away from our writing. It's adding to it.

There you go again: that's exactly what I mean.
This is the only place where I can blabber about writing...and listening to other people blabber helps me realize that just because my friends don't really care about this stuff, there ARE people who do.
Aaawww. Now I'm just getting all warm and fuzzy.  

[justwrite]

BTW We did have a few of those stuck up know it all types but the "wildlife" as Patrick calls them, scared them away. I just want to say, a large reason why this forum is so friendly and open is because of our fearless leader, whose sense of fairplay and good humor keeps everything on track.
Here's to our hard working Patrick.

Now I better quit this and get some shut eye. i actually wrote a lot tonight, but STILL came on here after and my fingers hurt. hey, can i sue for damages if I get carpal tunnel from this forum?

Arrghhh...less then two weeks until i go back to work...but I have internet in my classroom and sneak on there when my students are busy slaving away! (they do it too...whenever I turn my back). But I hate getting up early.

[audal]

Hope I didn't seem to have too much snarl with that last post.  Truth is, Chelc's comment about being more enlightened is also spot on.  Yammering about whatever here seems to amplify the fact that we are writers & this is our playground.  Whatever it is we're discussing, where we're discussing it & who we're discussing with is helping to foster a greater effort.

And JW, you once thought I was evolved?

May I present to you our whiz-kid-with-the-wisdom-of-beyond!

Chelc, take a bow or something.

Patrick - I've been mulling over ideas as to how to ferret out the hit-and-runners.  I recall screenplay sites from a few years ago where you could get feedback on a script provided that you volunteer to look at three others first.  That may seem a bit militant, but I quike like the "initiation" aspect of it all.  It could be more simple - something like after 10 posts on any topic, access to the first-five-pages forum is enabled.

SIDEBAR:  If I'm starting to feel a bit busy with forum chat, I can only imagine how Patrick must feel. 

For that, I propose a group karma point.  On three.

Ready?

1... 2... 3  (click)

[Chelc]

But I hate getting up early.

I hate it too 
I'm not looking forward to the 5:45 morning wake ups again.

[justwrite]

I'm known for this far and wide. I'm a virtual Jewish mama. I inspire people for a living..and you know what? I'm damn good at it! I really enjoy encouraging a young writer...most of my young un's are budding artists.

So you can call me this on my t-shirt VJM (virtual Jewish mama), but without the guilt thrown in as a side dish.

Group karma point for Patrick? suddight.