Groups languish

I've noticed the groups are in the doldrums.  What do you suggest?  An auction where the highest bidder gets a date?  Or maybe that's the reason for the doldrums.  Everyone's out on a date.

Just my opinion, but FWIW ...

I believe many folks do not post, except on isolated instances, for a couple of reasons. First, so many posts get sidetracked from the OP's question/comment that the post becomes unrecognizable  to its original intent. There's always a certain amount of drifting on almost all posts, but recently (the past year or so)  they seem to drift further and further into very loosely-related or non-related tangents.

Second, and the primary reason I don't post a lot, is no matter what you say, there's always someone who can't wait to tell you how stupid you are for saying whatever you said or whatever you asked. Polite disagreement is an endangered species. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a person disagreeing with you or having a different opinion. It's the manner in which they express it. A person with a different opinion than mine is welcome to tell me all day why - just do it with a little bit of courtesy and offer some reasonable suggestions for improvement. An intelligent and courteous defense of their position opposite mine is a strong tool to possibly make me reconsider my position. Maybe I'll change my opinion, maybe I won't. But I will listen.

However when you have nothing to say but "You're an idiot for thinking that way", "Maybe that works at the fifth grade level, but ...", "Maybe writing isn't your best option in life", "You need to throw this crap away and trying something different" etc. Why not simply say, "Well, I've found a few issues here that are important. Here are the problems I noticed and  I have a few suggestions that might help" - then offer those suggestions without first demeaning the person. Also, I give little attention to those who are rude, can't wait to criticize others but refuse to post any of their own work for review..

I've spoken with three other members here in private, and they all feel very similar about it. It's not a matter of thin skin or not being open to criticism. It's matter of simple courtesy and respect for your fellow writers.

The Medieval/Fantasy Magic group is very active. A bunch of us set up shop there years ago, each with a single thread about our respective WIP. We use the threads for brainstorming, writing questions, additional feedback about a review, and sometimes just for fun. I sometimes encourage new users to create a thread there for their own stories. Some of the threads aren't even about fantasy. At least three are sci-fi. My new thread is for a supernatural thriller. I considered placing it in the Mysteries & Thrillers group, but no one posts there. I tried out the Sci-fi group years ago, but couldn't get much feedback, so I moved to the Medieval group. I'm surprised people don't set up little cliques like ours in other groups. I've found the threads invaluable to my writing.

@Debbie: You don't need those elements to join the group. All genre are welcome

Really? Okay. I'm joining.

I do have a lamplight fantasy (sometimes called gaslight fantasy) I've been working on for years. I pulled it down some time ago but might repost. I'm a little too pragmatic for most of the typical fantasy. But I find lamplight fantasy has enough "real world" in it. It's hard to find much lamplight fantasy on the bookshelves. Good luck with your writing.

Alan

I 100% agree with you, Alan.  I have all but quit posting in forums because we have some self-appointed forum monitors who take it upon themselves to comment on things that don't apply to them.  If I read a post that doesn't pertain to me in any way, I move on without commenting.  Not true for some who can't let an opportunity pass by without trying to show their superior intelligence in a condescending way.  But since I don't participate in confrontations and insults because I have better things to do with my life, often I will just delete my post with a promise to myself to never post again.  As you said, an ounce of courtesy goes a long way.  And I'm not talking about writing reviews here, but forum posts.  While I love a good healthy discussion and thrive on differences of opinion and/or suggestions, I don't like condescension.  I've seen too many longstanding and good members here cancel their memberships because of these forums that got out of hand.

So to answer JP's call for opinions, mine for what it's worth is the forums haven't worked for me because of the reasons above.  Therefore, I quit posting in all of them except this premium one, and it's headed for the chopping block, too. 

MJ

We may have to rename the group to "Where did everybody go?"

There were good old times where the forums not only worked, they created a lively internet community--as lively, in its own way, as FB (although not with the population).  That changed when the website moved to the new style--with better technology, ways to publicize your publications, etc.  But now, the people in the forums are more serious.  They applaud each other's successes, hold each other's hands during the moments of doubt and pain, and generally, have good advice and commentary.  So less participation, higher quality.  And a lot less flaming.

Rachel and JP, Sounds like the respect issue is the number one concern. Putting out one's writing means making oneself vulnerable. That's tough, especially for beginners. I feel for new writers on the site when some of the reviewers throw out critiques that perhaps are valuable for more experienced writers but not suiting or constructive for a newbie. A bit of handholding and encouragement go a long way to keep the writer's motivation going, both with critiques as well as in a forum. My two cents. Christine

also, another thing to add, I used to love forums and bulletin boards, so much chat, all about subjects I was interested in. But then came along Twitter, and Facebook, and then Insta and now the forums don't get a look in. I do my chatting in groups on FB (other than here, but you get my drift). The days of the forum may be numbered other than for cliques such as the medieval group who actively push it along.

And it just crossed my mind, I also found so many posts here to be political, it got right up my nose. So I went away for a while until I was encouraged to join the medievals.

Christine, I apologise for leaving you all for dead in the Crucible. I found myself unable to contribute anything useful

Dagny, I think you're incorrect for the following three reasons:
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