What lures you to different writing sites? - Writers Forum

Selorian · 10-02-2008, 08:49 AM

I'm sure most of us have at least a couple of writing related sites or forums we visit on a regular basis. No matter how great a site is, there is always something missing that another is able to provide. So, what is it about each of the writing sites you visit that keeps you going back?

For me, here at Writingforums.com, it's basically the people. For the most part, they're a great group that's hard to beat. Plus, there are a lot of memories here that are hard to let go of.

I also enjoy the writing contests that Worth1000.com holds, although I wish they would hold them more frequently and that they didn't run for quite so long.

JosephB · 10-02-2008, 09:51 AM

I think I've looked at all the writing sites. And I've joined a few. What keeps me here is the Workshop; and you are right, it's the people there that make it worthwhile.

It's a snowball effect really, because new people see the quality of the work and the critiques and they want to contribute. Of course there are the few people who consistently remain at the core, and I hope they stick around.

I haven't been writing long, but I'd have to say most of the advances I've made, I can attribute to the Workshop.

I've benefited from Research. Not so much Tips and Advice. Many of the threads there seem to be about how to become a better writer; a lot of obvious questions that could be answered by writing and reading more.

Critique and Advice is hit or miss. I used it when I first needed to work out the very basics of writing. I got some real help there, but some of the inline crits etc. had more errors in them than my writing. So you just need to be cautious and investigate and learn on your own. It could be better if some of the more accomplished writers visited more often.

The General section is all pretty much nonsense. Occasionally, the debate rises to a level that makes it worthwhile, but not very often. It can all be a lot of fun though.

But yes, it's the people. But you have to assume the format of the forum itself, the decisions that led to the various sections etc. has something to do with it.

KangTheMad · 10-02-2008, 09:52 AM

Well Selorian, I was lured here while writing The Island by some guy on the BioWare forums. I use the same name there so...I don't remember who it was though.

WriterDude · 10-02-2008, 10:39 AM

I stick around because I have friends here, and the people are quite nice in general.

Sam Winchester · 10-02-2008, 10:51 AM

Of the plethora of writing sites out there, I have to admit that WF is the only one I visit on a regular basis. Maybe it's because it was the first one I found when I googled "Writing Forums" about six or seven months ago. Or maybe it's because this place is the one that has helped me most with my writing. I've made friends here that have all helped me in one way or another, and that's another reason why I keep coming back. Despite what some people want the internet world to believe, WF is actually one of the friendliest writing forums I've been on.

The layout is another plus for me. So many other writing forums have sections and sub-sections and sub-sub-sections that it takes a friggin' week to get to grips with everything. Not with WF. It's just simple and basic. If you guys are thinking of changing anything, Selorian, don't let it be the layout of the site. It's fine as is, in my opinion.

When I first joined, I used the Critique and Advice section a lot, but I've come to realise that the best critiques actually take place in the Workshop. It's friendly, helpful, and people don't criticise other people's critiques, which you see happen in the C&A section now and again. In that light, I hope it doesn't change.

No matter how many other writing forums there are out there, WF is still number one for me.

L.C.Mills · 10-02-2008, 01:06 PM

I stay here because it's a good forum. I don't go to other sites because I have no need to. This one fulfills all of my literary desires

-E.

simplicity · 10-02-2008, 01:16 PM

I like everything about this forum. The people are friendly, ( most of the time ) and I’ve learned a lot about my writing. I’ve had some people here ( whom I respect ) critique my writing through private messages, and enjoyed hearing the feedback. I recently joined a different writers forum, and Sam was right when he said, it is much more difficult with all the sub-sections.
This forum is encouraging and most definitely a learning experience.

I go to Worth1000 for photoshop ideas. I didn't know they had writing contests as well. Two of my favorite hobbies on one site?! I'm going to have to look into that. : )

Malone · 10-02-2008, 02:07 PM

The feedback I got here compared to other sites is what made me end up only using this site. With the stuff I write, most of it got deleted on other sites, or they wanted me to post external links to it so it wouldn't actually be on their site. No thanks.

seigfried007 · 10-02-2008, 02:09 PM

Well, I'm the admin on another writing site (Authors by Design). Original admin pretty much begged me to take over a rather (seemingly) dead forum, so that's what keeps me there. Any more, I dread visiting the place because I remember what it was like when I first joined several years ago and I have no idea how to get people coming back. You can post all you want, but it's like no one's listening. ... even if the critique forums are thriving... Doesn't do the rest of the forum much good because non-crit-group members can't see the activity of those subforums so the whole place looks dead.

This is my writers site. It's the one I most consider home any more. I like the people here and I appreciate the way the crit forums are run. I've received lots of great feedback and back-patting (very necessary when the pieces you and other writers love continually get rejected by editors).

It also got me involved with Oddville Press which was and is hella enlightening for me. And this forum introduced me to Duotrope, which is so fabulous I could cry.

seigfried007 · 10-02-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malone

The feedback I got here compared to other sites is what made me end up only using this site. With the stuff I write, most of it got deleted on other sites, or they wanted me to post external links to it so it wouldn't actually be on their site. No thanks.

Ditto. I've been kicked off of other crit groups and forums for my subject matter. This is the most adult writing site I've ever been on and now that I'm used to it, I couldn't leave.

Non Serviam · 10-02-2008, 03:26 PM

I've registered and posted on other writing sites, but they no longer hold my interest--except for Literary Mary, which I do still browse from time to time.

It's definitely the community here and on LM that make it worthwhile coming back. There are other writing communities that I found were so far up their own arses they could floss with their hair...

Trozzo · 10-02-2008, 03:42 PM

This place is amazing because the community is outstanding and always so helpful. I just can't cant get enough of forums and even though i've had to slow down on the time I spend on them this one always has a nice environment to explore new ideas with.

tucanbundy · 10-02-2008, 03:44 PM

I have posted a grand total of zero things I've written on this site.The reason I stick around is because I know that if I need help with a storyline I can ask and I'll get help.I don't post anything because the chapters in my book are always over ten pages long and I don't know how serious writers like you guys stand with parody and pop culture references in writing.Plus you guys don't treat me like some sexually confused drug addict piece of shit like other websites I'm a member of do.

The only other writing site I ever go to is Fanfiction.net.I like butchering the works of others.It's fun.

I'm not too serious about writing.I've done it since I was about twelve but I don't want to do it as a job.It's recreational.I really don't know what I want to do with my life.

Tiamat10 · 10-02-2008, 04:28 PM

I'm a member of a few other writing sites, but to me they don't compare to this one. Like everyone else, I think the people here and the sense of community we enjoy is what makes this site a wonderful place to hang out.

And while I've only been a member for about eight months, my writing has improved by leaps and bounds. I look back at some of the stuff I posted here in the beginning and it actually embarrasses me somewhat. That's mostly attributed to the Workshop, though I did post in the Critique & Advice section and the Short Story section in the beginning. But in my opinion, the Workshop is best.

I have to say though, my favorite part about WF.com is still the LM section. I love the contests and the way everything about that works. While you get excellent feedback in the Workshop, there's no sense of perspective about it because it's just your work that's under critique. If you enter in an LM, you get to have your work compared to other works on the same subject, which makes for a wonderful exercise in creativity.

The Lounge and Debate sections are fun, too. Some days more than others. (I have nothing to say about politics, so lately the debate section is a bit dull, but you'll have that.)

I just love WF.com. Really, really.

lilacstarflower · 10-02-2008, 05:29 PM

This is the one site I keep coming back to. The others are too different for my liking. I'm familiar with the names and layout. Sometimes I think it's a bit clique-ish but I mainly stick to tips and advice and the reading section.