Now I don’t have a lot of experience with internet communities or ‘forums’ and really have only became part of this world when I discovered writing sites. But what a strange and intriguing place to be.
I believe, in particular, writing sites may (once again lack of comparison gives me nothing to work with) be more heated or dramatic than some other forums. What it has introduced me to is a whole hierarchy and roll playing experience.
I have learned about terms such as flame wars, trolls, meat and sock puppets. I have seen people argue with their own sock puppets (well at least I think so, the ability to spot people’s puppets was not a skill I mastered). Some who conceal their identity behind a nickname or puppet so as to be downright nasty. They simply use this shield as a way to be horrid. Some on the other hand add fun and mystery. Some socks are simply people who left the community as their real self and returned as someone else, they could assume either the naughty or nice guise.
But the horrid people don’t always hide behind a mask, there are many who are just naturally rude or nasty.
Then, of course, there are the trolls. This in itself is a whole other topic for another day. Seeing how a troll can change a community and the way the members react to the ‘invasion’ is an eye opener. I have definitely discovered that true colours and the persona people portray are seldom the same. This applies to all members and socks, not just the trolls. That being said, not everyone is hiding or badly behaved, good like minded ‘friends’ can be made.
There are a percentage of people who become regular forum users and they play many roles. The stirrers who could be and have been considered trolls (who may or may not be, this can’t be determined until a ‘real’ troll arrives). There are the ‘popular kids’ and the flirtatious. The intimidators and bullies. The ‘serious’ writers who don’t like the games. The friendly and witty. There are cliques and mean girls, it’s like high school. Each person assumes a position within the community and plays it, either purposely or because of who they are, good or bad.
As a writer (who wanted to be taken seriously) I needed to maintain a certain dignity, a reputation, protect my ‘name’ so I tried to avoid issues or subjects that would upset me or were drama oriented. I did it successfully, well, mostly. I, on occasion, took threads far too seriously and became too upset. This again is whole other story. Caution is to be exercised, being wary of whom to ‘trust’, these are important things to remember.
So basically the forum can be fun, interesting and fiery. There are many great topics on writing and help with agents, queries and publishers. Great advice and lessons can be learned, once again good or bad. But you can waste copious amounts of time there, this alone isn’t always good. Writing, reviewing, editing, any other useful activities can fall by the wayside when the forum addiction takes over. I, luckily, have backed away, managed to disallow the intrigue and drama to continue to pull me in. I still visit but not quite as much. I have learned to log off and walk away.
My final words of advice, if you join an online community and participate in the forum, it would perhaps be better if you use a nickname or at least have a separate sock puppet.
Keep writing.
I believe, in particular, writing sites may (once again lack of comparison gives me nothing to work with) be more heated or dramatic than some other forums. What it has introduced me to is a whole hierarchy and roll playing experience.
I have learned about terms such as flame wars, trolls, meat and sock puppets. I have seen people argue with their own sock puppets (well at least I think so, the ability to spot people’s puppets was not a skill I mastered). Some who conceal their identity behind a nickname or puppet so as to be downright nasty. They simply use this shield as a way to be horrid. Some on the other hand add fun and mystery. Some socks are simply people who left the community as their real self and returned as someone else, they could assume either the naughty or nice guise.
But the horrid people don’t always hide behind a mask, there are many who are just naturally rude or nasty.
Then, of course, there are the trolls. This in itself is a whole other topic for another day. Seeing how a troll can change a community and the way the members react to the ‘invasion’ is an eye opener. I have definitely discovered that true colours and the persona people portray are seldom the same. This applies to all members and socks, not just the trolls. That being said, not everyone is hiding or badly behaved, good like minded ‘friends’ can be made.
There are a percentage of people who become regular forum users and they play many roles. The stirrers who could be and have been considered trolls (who may or may not be, this can’t be determined until a ‘real’ troll arrives). There are the ‘popular kids’ and the flirtatious. The intimidators and bullies. The ‘serious’ writers who don’t like the games. The friendly and witty. There are cliques and mean girls, it’s like high school. Each person assumes a position within the community and plays it, either purposely or because of who they are, good or bad.
As a writer (who wanted to be taken seriously) I needed to maintain a certain dignity, a reputation, protect my ‘name’ so I tried to avoid issues or subjects that would upset me or were drama oriented. I did it successfully, well, mostly. I, on occasion, took threads far too seriously and became too upset. This again is whole other story. Caution is to be exercised, being wary of whom to ‘trust’, these are important things to remember.
So basically the forum can be fun, interesting and fiery. There are many great topics on writing and help with agents, queries and publishers. Great advice and lessons can be learned, once again good or bad. But you can waste copious amounts of time there, this alone isn’t always good. Writing, reviewing, editing, any other useful activities can fall by the wayside when the forum addiction takes over. I, luckily, have backed away, managed to disallow the intrigue and drama to continue to pull me in. I still visit but not quite as much. I have learned to log off and walk away.
My final words of advice, if you join an online community and participate in the forum, it would perhaps be better if you use a nickname or at least have a separate sock puppet.
Keep writing.
RSS Feed
