Am I misunderstanding the purpose of this forum?

msd said:

Am I misunderstanding the purpose of this forum?

Click to expand...

Hi there!

I don't think you're misunderstanding the purpose of AW, no. Sounds like maybe you got some replies that weren't too helpful, though. It happens from time to time, but I'd encourage you not to let it get under your skin. Take what's helpful, toss what's not

The only rule here is Respect Your Fellow Writer. If you feel as though this rule was broken you can always report the post, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Just keep plowing through the info, and if you can't find the answer to your question in already created threads, I hope you feel free to ask and that those who take to the time to answer do so thoughtfully.

Hang in there and good luck with your work!

Your post reads more likely as though you are misunderstanding your audience, or the "neighborhood" here at AW, you are in.

Perhaps consider Brossard, over across the river from Montreal. A quick look says about 75,000 residents. They hang out in their favorite coffee shops, party (or not) with people who share their interests, and contact the specialists or learned people they need for information, when they need it. Yes? And even then they will find times where communication doesn't work, or "specialists" who are maybe not so special. And they are interacting in 3D.

AW has about 62,000 members these days. At any given time 600-1000 of them are active on the boards. People from a wide range of ages and experiences, from around the world.

They don't all care about the same things. They hang out in the areas of AW that they care most about, or that are useful to their writing needs at the moment.

When you need help with "X" (in this case, you mentioned Grammar,) head over to the "X" room and ask there. Over a bit of time you'll discover like minded people with opinions you respect and can trust.

Hope that helps.

ETA: And watch out for Cella, especially over in the Cabaret.

Don't stop asking questions. Do keep in mind, though, that sometimes there is no one "correct" answer. Style guides and publisher preferences vary, so on occasion the best response really is "Don't drive yourself crazy over this."

Also, if you ever feel a post is out of line, rude, disrespectful, click that little triangle to the left of the post, and report it.

Good luck!

Thick skin. Really, really, really thick skin is a requirement as a writer.

I'v learned this over and over. Keep on keeping on!

Free store motto from Be-in's of the 60's: "Take what you need and leave the rest." Applies to much all of the advice here.

I looked for the instances you noted, and strangely, I noticed there was a good deal of helpful advice in the threads, yet you have focused on the one or two posts in each that bothered you.

Some people are more blunt than others. A lot of questions don't have a 100% right answer, and are open to interpretation. You're going to get a variety of answers, in a variety of tones from soft and squishy to direct and prickly.

If you expect to post a question and get the 100% right, always agreed upon, accurate answer in response, then, yes, you are misunderstanding the purpose of a forum where thousands of writers of all levels of experience from all over the world gather to discuss things.

The purpose of a discussion among so many people of such varied experience is to get a variety of opinions on topics. You have to take the one that best meets your needs and move on from the ones who have been less than helpful.

By all means, if someone personally attacks you, report it, but getting a variety of answers, some of which are more helpful than others is par for the course.

I'm making Eggplant Parmesan tonight.

Would you like some?

Myrealana said:

I looked for the instances you noted, and strangely, I noticed there was a good deal of helpful advice in the threads, yet you have focused on the one or two posts in each that bothered you.

Some people are more blunt than others. A lot of questions don't have a 100% right answer, and are open to interpretation. You're going to get a variety of answers, in a variety of tones from soft and squishy to direct and prickly.

If you expect to post a question and get the 100% right, always agreed upon, accurate answer in response, then, yes, you are misunderstanding the purpose of a forum where thousands of writers of all levels of experience from all over the world gather to discuss things.

The purpose of a discussion among so many people of such varied experience is to get a variety of opinions on topics. You have to take the one that best meets your needs and move on from the ones who have been less than helpful.

By all means, if someone personally attacks you, report it, but getting a variety of answers, some of which are more helpful than others is par for the course.

Click to expand...

excellent post, myrealana.

I haven't looked at your post, but picky grammar questions are awesome and lots of folks will like that you asked

If people are flip about it or whatever, maybe they are just chiming in to tell whether they care about the question for themselves. Just sharing their opinion, really, even if it strikes you as rude. It's still the internet, lol. Not everyone tries to be helpful; there's a lot of general opinion-giving going on Try not to worry about it

It would be neat if you could PM someone instead of posting a question. Sometimes I consider doing that, but usually feel like that would be asking too much. Some are really knowledgeable here on certain subjects, e.g. grammar. So just asking them would probably be sufficient. But again, probably asking too much. Maybe not though. Anyway, you're not the only one hesitant to ask a question. I am too and I am sure many others are as well for one reason and another, including shyness.

Wouldn't it be funny if you could push a button on your computer and it would slam the laptop lid down on the nasty lil fingers of a faraway poster who was getting on your nerves?

Fruitbat said:

Wouldn't it be funny if you could push a button on your computer and it would slam the laptop lid down on the nasty lil fingers of a faraway poster who was getting on your nerves?

Click to expand...

Dang it, Fruitbat, that hurt!

Haggis said:

Dang it, Fruitbat, that hurt!

Click to expand...

That'll learn ya, dern ya!

I mostly post in Office Party. (See, that's why I'm here! )
If you're worried about the few who might come across as a bit more, well, arrogant, there are so many threads on AW that you might find your answer without starting a new thread or having to ask a question in an already established one.

Fruitbat said:

Wouldn't it be funny if you could push a button on your computer and it would slam the laptop lid down on the nasty lil fingers of a faraway poster who was getting on your nerves?

Click to expand...

I realized when I'm angry on the phone, I JAM the hang-up button hard, you know, like the way I used to slam down the handset?

I'm sure they feel that...

And the answer is: Who is Liam Neeson?

OP, do you feel any better about it?

If it's any consolation, I didn't know until looking back at your posts (bored last night, lol) that you might like someone who went to Oxford for your story. I did from 200(6)-7 to 2009, so feel free to hit me up if you like.

You simply need to learn to ignore the people who in an attempt to prove they are better than you, feel a need to attack or belittle you. The forum has an Ignore feature which lets you block future posts from those who attack rather than provide helpful replies.

Why some people reply at all when their only reason seems to be antagonistic in nature is a mystery to me.

Thewitt said:

You simply need to learn to ignore the people who in an attempt to prove they are better than you, feel a need to attack or belittle you. The forum has an Ignore feature which lets you block future posts from those who attack rather than provide helpful replies.

Why some people reply at all when their only reason seems to be antagonistic in nature is a mystery to me.

Click to expand...

That's something we all need to remember.

It happens to many that some person decides to take their boredom out on people who are asking for, or offering, help. I had my sanity questioned in public which is extremely humiliating, upsetting, and slanderous, when I tried to answer a member's question on medicine overdose from an experienced point of view hardly anyone else can offer. It does scare you out of asking or offering helpful contributions and can nurture resentment towards the entire community, yes. A very nice user then sent me a message that certain people truly are here just to frustrate and bully others. It helps to know that there are known trolls and space wasters and I suggest you put them on the Ignore list. It's probably where their parents put them, too. Would explain the behavior.

It's the same person upsetting both of you! See, that tells y'all something right there. Someone's playing too rough for you, and blocking would probably work great.

I always feel like I'll block someone and then never understand the conversations later (theoretically). If a poster gives short little answers, that's not a worry, imho.