Is this Section Dead?

[Pinkie Pie]

It's your ~vision of a lit section goneby~ that's part of the reason why it will remain dead though. You want it to live or what? You saying that people can't even write their interpretation of a single word? Because that's what I'm getting from what you've said. Was this thread made just to cry about how the good ol' days are gone, or do you actually want to do something? I'm not intending to sound mean or confrontational. I'm honestly curious.

 

Actually, thank you for that. I say this because this is exactly the attitude I was on about. I just said that I'm not sure about competitions because people fly off the handle and then you proceed to do exactly that.

 

Look. I don't give a f**k how the literature section stays afloat, as long as it stays afloat. I'd prefer it to be on the merit of people writing things they have vested interest in. But if it has to become full to the brim with gimmicks and the likes then by all means. What worries me is that we get a repeat of the competition thread Paddy made, or the complete lack of interest in independent works that other competitions have brought on. I haven't left the lit section since I've been here and I don't plan too in the future. 

 

And on a side note, I feel I've tried more times in this section than pretty much anyone else other than an obvious few. So do not question my dedication to what I'm trying to do. I don't flit about and come back only too nitpick, nor do I sit silently and do nothing at all about anything. This thread was made cause no one and I repeat no one seemed too, as always, give an utter f**k about this section.

 

If calling out bullshit behavior that's only hindering the section you ~obviously care so much about~ is flying off the handle, then the rest of the internet would be a true nightmare for you, pal. And honestly? The only one attempting, and failing to stir up dramatics here is you. If you're the king of this section, why don't you have any ideas to save it? Are past attempts to revive the section not good enough because it's not your way? Well I have news for you then. Unless you actually do something for this section, your words don't mean a damn thing. You can keep your gonna-be swag, because there is no room in this section for that kind of behavior, and it's the type of shit that makes people nervous about posting in here in the first place.

By the way, if I didn't give a fuck, I wouldn't be posting in this topic. I wouldn't have shared an actually quite reasonable and easily ignored idea that might actually save the section.

YET again, not even 'fronting. Just motherfucking saying.

[† Emotional Outlet]

Silence isn't really indicative of how much people care or are vested in the subforum. One of the fora I visit on occasion has a strong lurker community and encourages this kind of forum behaviour. Even if you think no one cares, there is usually someone watching.

 

Loki's suggestion isn't so much a competition as it is a prompt, a challenge. You have a minor token of participation, but in the end you aren't working against others. It's no different than pulling a random word from the dictionary and starting from there. What this kind of thing can do is form structure and get things rolling.

 

I can only speak for myself, but I'm awful at just pulling things from the air. After years of actively smothering my creativity and being embarrassed of the things I've written, it's just not there. Having what little structure I had with the Secret Santa, where it was prompts that would only say things like, "EriKar redrom NSFW OK" or "Meowrails NSFW NOT OK", was enough for me to get the juices flowing. When I got prompts that just said, "Anything is OK", those were the ones I had the most trouble with. I put those off until the end. The amount of structure suggested by Loki is far less than was provided for me with this Secret Santa.

 

We have already learnt people here don't like too much structure. Okay. But having no structure at all seems to have generated just as much activity. The amount of structure in this proposed challenge is almost negligible--it's a list of words and you can pick one for inspiration. No expectations other than you write and maybe give a nod to the word that inspired you in an author's note somewhere. If that is the level people like, then all the better. If not, then we just keep trying new things.

 

I know I am burnt out, but as I mentioned, I am willing to stand by these attempts and do what I can. It would be disheartening and counterproductive to shoot down an idea before it is given a chance. There is chance for failure, but one can't deny the chance for success.

[† Mute point]

Play nice or I will pull this forum over!

 

 

I do agree that previous competitions didn't work, or didn't work for long. But what if, instead of a competition, it was just an idea thread to help those who have a hard time coming up with ideas? Maybe even one to help narrow down the list for those (like me) who have too many.

[† Anras Rune]

Fair enough. If that is what you think I can't take that away from you. I'll admit fly off the handle was poor choice of words but in truth it kinda got my point across. Which was even more punctuated by your response.

 

As far as trying to personally insult me, by all means. If the lit section is going to continue functioning then I don't give a damn where the drive is coming from. But once again you fail to see my point. I never said the idea was bad, I said that contests/competitions were bad. Go ahead with it, I'm not stopping you or even planning too. Not like I can either way. But barbing me because you think I'm taking a swing at you is just pathetic.

 

If trying to make me feel like I'm trying to big myself up is the way you want to help then fine. If you are actually going to try the idea out then fine. Again I emphasize that it was my opinion that you proceeded to shoot down.

 

Also, on a side note. "Just saying" doesn't mean that it isn't confrontational. In fact so far everything you've written to me has been confrontational. Just food for thought and future reference.

[Pinkie Pie]

I never said it was a competition or a contest. Maybe even challenge is a bit much. It would be more like a list of prompts that changes every month. It's unfortunate that you feel the need to get personal at me over the /idea/ of an idea that might just save this section. If you don't want to help or be a part of my idea, that's totally okay. Other people have expressed interest in it, so I'm going forward with it anyway. If you open your mind a little and decide to take part, you'll be quite welcome to.

Anyway, brainstorming ye. What about a similar thing for the mature section? We could flex those porn writing muscles XD

[† Mute point]

On the subject of new content. Mal and I have decided to work together on something. It's a story she's had the idea for, but never took the time to write. So we're going to collaborate on it and see what happens.

 

 

I like the idea of people writing stuff for the mature section. You should make a thread there to discuss it.

 

 

On a side note. Both of you need to stop. If you can't reply to each other without taking shots back and forth, then ignore each other. If you can't do that, then take the fight elsewhere, because it's not helping anything.

Edited February 2, 2013 by Mute point

[† Emotional Outlet]

I'm actually okay with people writing porn in here as long as it's labelled correctly; there is a caveat in the rules for it. If people prefer it be in the Mature Realm, though, it can easily be rewritten. I have no strong feelings either way, I would just have to move some of my Homestuck stuff.

[Pinkie Pie]

Yep, I'll get on that thread Mutey u wu

I'm not against it being in the main lit section either, but we don't want to accidentally internet scar people unprepared for what they could see.

[Breathless]

 an idea thread to help those who have a hard time coming up with ideas? Maybe even one to help narrow down the list for those (like me) who have too many.

That was actually something along the lines of what I was thinking. On most literature/writing forums I go on there's usually like, a general help thread. And on a few there are even threads where you can post a passage (and only a passage) of one of your stories and people would post their thoughts. But I don't think there's a need for the latter.

And I think labeling things just as NSFW or Mature, or something like that is fine. The more traffic the better, right!? - -

[Pinkie Pie]

I love the idea of a general help thread, tbh.

[† Emotional Outlet]

Help thread sound fun, even just a place to drop down stuff you've learnt or found. I like collecting resources, haha.

[Pinkie Pie]

I also like your random idea story, Breathless. I've thought about doing stories that are full on choose your own adventure, but what you started looks like a lot of fun to do.

[Breathless]

It is a tonne of fun! The only real problem is, since it's ongoing I try to keep it updated at least semi-regularly. So it tends to get a little bit hard when I'm busy.

[Dark_Angel13]

I've actually done a few things like Breathless has before in the past, usually with some mates but I could post up something similar on here at some point. I seem to of missed all the big conversation because I was asleep Lazy me right? lol. Anywayz I think the ideas people have put forward are quite good, one of you mentioned a place to drop down ideas and get feedback on them. I've dropped an idea in here before and it got nothing but I won't blame anyone for that, I was fairly newish here at the time so that may of deterred people.

 

The point is I like the idea of getting some feedback on ideas from fellow writers before I go ahead and write something out, I'd like to write something I'm going to enjoy and potential readers will too, I think that could help with that for all of us.

 

On the challenges thing as people keep mentioning challenges in the PAST have fucked up this section blah blah blah... Last time I checked it wasn't like a year ago or w.e when you guys were doing that stuff, I think it deserves at least a chance before it's just writen off entirely and if it can help bring some people in then that'd be great, even if it just brings in readers or voters like with the SOTW comps and stuff, at least ppl have to read our stuff before voting.

 

Loki mentioned that the reward would be like a graphic or something small, I think that's a good idea because honestly as a writer I don't like being pressured to write or feel like I have to really push myself just for something shiny in the end I may not even get lol. So I think the rewards shouldnt be anything too big, maybe on certain occasions it could be something more like christmas or w.e

 

Loki has also mentioned writing some porn or romance novel type stuff in the mature section or here flagged as mature. I glanced at my folders when I read it and was surprised to see I actually have a few different pieces like it, never posted them here though cause as EO said I'd rather not scar some poor 14 yr old on here or worse have him begging for more lol. But yeah I'd be willing to write some stuff like that and with Valentines day in like a week and a bit why not write some sexy stories or sweet romantic stuffz.

 

I think I hit all the points I wanted to with this so yeah, those are my thoughts on dis stuffz

[† Emotional Outlet]

I didn't mention scarring! That was Loki, haha. But yeah, unless people are super against it, you can continue to write smut in this section provided you label it correctly. Otherwise there is a monthly challenge thing over at the Mature Realm for your gratuitous porn shots.

 

Mae started a thread a while back called Bouncing off ideas thread. It hasn't got a lot of hits, but it's there if anyone wants to use it. Otherwise it's cool to start your own or something, haha.

[Dark_Angel13]

Lol well I can't remember everything, so for now you said it! lol. Yes I saw the monthly thing, I think like Loki said over there once it's wrote you put it all in a spoiler and then put an authors comment, maybe listing what will be expected in the story or w.e

 

I'll check hers out but will likely start my own in the long run, we'll see

[Kinara Uzumaki]

Rune, it is good of you to start this thread because I am one of the people who are concerned about this section slowly declining from what it used to be, when there was so much to read, so many stories new and old . . . it was very interesting scrolling though the thread and it really got me motivated to try posting up my stories too. But then, I realized that it was not garnering much response from the viewers, just views and no comments like mentioned before. Either they don't want to comment because they don't have anything to say, or don't know what to say, or think that we are not important enough to comment on. I've noticed that known members' stories get a lot of comments (I've nothing against that since your stories are super) but then if the members are going to keep doing that then other writers might as well drop out of posting in here. It's not fair and it hurts writers like us who are trying to get an audience for the work we do, and we need a lot of feedback, good or bad, in order to improve or change or adapt.......when we don't receive any response, it's disheartening, demotivating, hurtful to our writer's pride and it's like our effort is not appreciated. We write because we love it and we want to know what people think of our writing.

 

I have kinda given up on posting because so many new stories are not getting responses (forcing me to log in here only rarely) and it's a sad situation because I used to log in here almost everyday. There are a lot of good suggestions in the replies to this thread but I wonder how successful it will be, but I am fully prepared to give it my support in whatever way I can because this particular thread is close to my heart. I hope I haven't been too critical but I needed to vent out some frustration and hope that with the help of the members, be able to revive this section and restore it to what it used to be. Thanks.

[Pinkie Pie]

i was actually wondering where you went, kinara.  

 

tbh, i'm just? kind of out of original ideas.

well no not really i'm just in a huge rut writing wise

and i don't want to post anything less than quality i guess.

[Kinara Uzumaki]

I think we are facing our same old problem again..............even I'm partially at fault since I haven't been in here the whole of last week due to internet issues.

 

Anyways, some of us have tried to revive it - Shazi, Razor, DuLake, EO, Pinkie and myself - by posting up some new stories and stuff but seems like we have been either very occupied with other commitments or neglecting the stuff we've posted in here.

 

I haven't been updating my stories regularly, I'll admit that, since I've been caught with work and with the many problems arising for me, I haven't been able to make time to write my stories. I know some of the others might be having problems too or perhaps exams and the like, but I do hope we don't let this section die again. I might be sounding over protective but somehow the Art and Literature section is close to my heart because I couldn't live without my writing. 

 

Yeah and with that I will end my tirade.... Cheers to everyone!

[Dark_Angel13]

I think we are facing our same old problem again..............even I'm partially at fault since I haven't been in here the whole of last week due to internet issues.

 

Anyways, some of us have tried to revive it - Shazi, Razor, DuLake, EO, Pinkie and myself - by posting up some new stories and stuff but seems like we have been either very occupied with other commitments or neglecting the stuff we've posted in here.

 

I haven't been updating my stories regularly, I'll admit that, since I've been caught with work and with the many problems arising for me, I haven't been able to make time to write my stories. I know some of the others might be having problems too or perhaps exams and the like, but I do hope we don't let this section die again. I might be sounding over protective but somehow the Art and Literature section is close to my heart because I couldn't live without my writing. 

 

Yeah and with that I will end my tirade.... Cheers to everyone!

 

I have plenty of things to post up in this section, I simply don't because it gets no notice. No replies but a bunch of views... It doesnt exactly make you feel good about your writing when not even one person is willing to comment.