Forum Expansion & Separation (Fiction) - Page 2 - Writers Forum

Achilles · 03-24-2006, 02:30 PM

It's a very valid topic. May I offer some more detailed suggestions to your masterful plan, Oasis?

I've seen other boards (phpbb or vb I'm not sure) that have a type of sub-forum one level below a main forum (i.e. Root -> Category -> Forum -> Sub-forum -> Thread). If this is possible, it would be logical to break the Fiction forum into the sub-forums "Speculative Fiction" (which covers Fantasy, Science Fiction and Supernatural Horror) and "Fiction" for everything else. Does this make sense to anyone else? Can anyone tell me if it's possible?

character1_Caitlin · 03-24-2006, 02:32 PM

Yes, I agree, I would like to see separation by genre. or a separate forum for everything that is not fantasy and sci-fi.

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 02:37 PM

Thank you Delta, I know you got my back, so thanks buddy.

Now Achilles, thank you for adding on. That was exactly what I was thinking as well. Just above Fiction and below Lyrics, coould be Speculative Fiction, or something. Or vice-versa. Have Modern-Fiction above and Fiction just be for Sci-fi, Fantasy and so on. It makes sense. I'm not sure what to do to do it, but I know it's possible, because they had to make these forums somehow. Adding one is possible. But again, I figured the best way to get anything done, is to have everyone like it and go with it. That's why I asked instead of just PMing a Mod or something. That way, everyone has a chance to say yay or nay and why. Makes this more of a democrecy and so on. So, thank you Achilles for your support.

Thank you as well Cainlin. I agree, but yeah, I think we just need another Forum. As said above, just Fiction for the Sci-Fi, Horror, Supernatural, Fantasy and Modern-Fiction for Thrillers, Romance, Drama, Modern-Realistic Today, and so on. Thank you all for your support.

Titania · 03-24-2006, 02:39 PM

Yes! I've noticed this before too, how much fantasy / sci-fi / other similar things pervade the fiction section, and splitting it up into a Speculative Fiction forum and a General Fiction / Realistic Fiction forum would make things so much simpler...

Kudos for thinking of this Oasis...

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 02:45 PM

Thank you very much Titania,

I almost figured I had your vote. Thank you a lot, and I agree. But, I've speculated on my suggestion a lot, so until questions arise, I'll back from long posts.

Selorian · 03-24-2006, 02:50 PM

The idea does have merit, but there are other things to consider.

We already have around 32 forums for members to post in. While those of us who have been around any length of time can navigate easily enough, it is sometimes overwhelming for a newcomer. Adding more forums will just intensify this problem.

Another thing is that posts already get posted in the wrong category. Again, this would only add to the problem, by both established and new members alike. This would add even more time the staff would have to spend moving posts to the appropriate place, sending PM's to inform the poster, and not being able to spend their time doing more productive things to help grow the forums.

Last, this would lead to the eventual desire for each genre to have their own specific forum. This would cause the above things I mentioned to worsen even more.

Just a few things to keep in mind when thinking about this.

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 03:00 PM

Very understandable, and very well put. That did cross my mind when I thought of this, which lead to me asking several weeks in advance. I understand that, but then I was also wondering, and with the best respect, what one more Forum would hurt? Having everything broken directly into genra's like a Sci-Fi Forum and Fantasy Forum is extremely emmense and I wouldn't vote yes to that, but what I was thinking, is merely because the descriptions under the Forum says like, Fantasy, Scifi, and all that. Just add one more for the different type of fiction. Keep them in groups still...what am I trying to say....if any of this makes sense, then hooray, but otherwise, what I'm trying to get at, is yes, it will be a hassil for a while, and I agree and would help any way I can, but most of our other types of genra's that aren't Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror, get overlooked in the Fiction Forum, which is very understandable. So, the request is for only one more Forum, for the rest of our modern day stuff that doesn't have anything to do with Sci-Fi, or Fantasy, or Horror. Our normal August days.

Thank you, I get very much where your coming from and I agree it would be a hassel for a while. Those sticky threads at the top only get viewed so often, so yeah. Thank you, I do appreciate understanding where your coming from on this. Thank you.

character1_Caitlin · 03-24-2006, 03:16 PM

My first post here was in fiction, my novel is on hold but to be honest , I almost felt apologetic for posting it, I was worried I would not fit in here because it was not fantasy or sci fi. I bet there are many that feel that way.

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 03:17 PM

I agree with that statement. Mainly because I have several friends who have done the same thing, and I have strayed from posting anything like that, merely because it wouldn't fit in. So, with it being hard to control where posts would be and all of that, I still strongly think it would be benefical to Writing Forums.

Blackhawk_t · 03-24-2006, 03:37 PM

Here's what needs to happen, and there was a comment made that this would be too difficult for new people to figure out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by selorian72

We already have around 32 forums for members to post in. While those of us who have been around any length of time can navigate easily enough, it is sometimes overwhelming for a newcomer. Adding more forums will just intensify this problem.

Most newcomers have this site figured out in a few days, and if they do post in the wrong site, they can contact a moderator to have it removed.

In regards to this suggestion, I think it is great. If you have the original 32 on the front page. Then you click on one of the forums, let's say fiction for example, and you have everyone's different threads to click on. Instead of the threads, have an additional folder, or sub thread as they are put here. For them to click on. Put it under Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Humor, Romance, etc... That way it can be story specific or general. You could actually have two sub threads: one for fantasy/sci-fi and one for everything else. Because the fantasy/sci-fi take up the general amount of stories on here.

I know a lot of people skip over certain stories because it's not their style

Selorian · 03-24-2006, 03:58 PM

I will restate, the idea does have merit, I don't deny that.

Blackhawk, it may be easy to contact a mod or mentor if you know the thread is in the wrong place, but if you don't, then what happens. People complain. Also, granted, a person can figure out the site fairly quickly, but the majority of new members sign up and post straight away. When this happens, no matter what, they are more apt to post in the wrong place. They will then be greeted with negativity from members aggravated they posted in the wrong place. That makes for a nice welcome.

Also, there is always the possibility that a work doesn't specifically fit into one category. In this case, what happens if it is believed it has been posted correctly but every one else thinks otherwise? Again,just things to consider.

I have always thought that the Short Story and Fiction sections were for people who wanted to show off there work, while Critique and Advice was where you put work to get feedback and help on. If this is the case, then should there be seperate sections in each of these as well? If so, then that adds three more forums to the boards. See how easy things can snow ball.

We'll have to let this play out and see what happens. No matter, it is a good suggestion worth discussion.

EDIT: Another thought--what if work then gets looked over specifically because it is grouped under a certain heading? Just a thought.

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 04:14 PM

Hey Blackhawk, thank you for your added two cents, I agree to the exstent. Thank you.

selorian72, I understand were your coming from, I do. On the Short Stories and Critique and Advice Forum breakup or whatever you were going for, I understood, but I scaresly see reason to break those up. Short Stories, is for any story, that singlets under 2000 words. And the Critique and Advice is easily understood for works seeking critique, advice or assistance. So I don't see much reason to break those apart. But I do get what your saying, and I'm glad you took the time to take a look at this and added your two cents. Thank you.

lol - And I don't think your edit would really fly, even if someone brought it up. lol - I say with respect, the best of, I swear, but, these is a difference between breaking apart a fiction for the Speculative and the General, then there is for breaking apart certain headings. I believe. If that makes sense, I'm not trying to be mean or anything, and I say with the best respect.

Thank you all for taking notice of this and all the comments and thoughts on the matter. I appreciate it.

Selorian · 03-24-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oasis Writer

lol - And I don't think your edit would really fly, even if someone brought it up. lol - I say with respect, the best of, I swear, but, these is a difference between breaking apart a fiction for the Speculative and the General, then there is for breaking apart certain headings. I believe. If that makes sense, I'm not trying to be mean or anything, and I say with the best respect.

Taken in the spirit it was given.

Although, one possibility you fail to consider. Maybe certain writing doesn't get looked over because of other writing so much as people may not be interested in reading it. I have seen many times where someone hasn't really liked a particular genre, but after reading a post they found they liked that specific piece of writing. If they had been sure of what it was, then they wouldn't have ever bothered reading it.

Oasis Writer · 03-24-2006, 04:35 PM

I established that much, and again, with the upmost respect. Again, merely a suggestion, and I'm glad you have been looking at this. It could very well be that, but again, sometimes it isnt' and they are merely looked over because they are missed. If you look at all the fantasy and so on in the Fiction, stories fly to the 2 page quick. So, again, I understand where you are coming from and thank you. I guess, after time passes, we'll see what happens. Again, thank you.

Selorian · 03-24-2006, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oasis Writer

If you look at all the fantasy and so on in the Fiction, stories fly to the 2 page quick.

Where the real problem is with this type of thing is in the Poetry forum. I think compared to it, all the other forums are doing good.

Agreed though, we'll see what happens. I do like the idea, but thought the other aspects of it should be put out there. Sometimes it's hard to see both sides when only the short term effects of it are being thought of.