Storyboard Forum! Question!

[Bluestone]

We have a very select group of writers who belong to the "Storytellers" Group. Only they are allowed to start threads, i.e. post stories, on the Pulped Fiction storyboard forum. It's easy to join this group with a simple request to FF Admin, but should we simply open up this forum to everyone? Do you think that will increase activity there without reducing quality? Thoughts and votes, please.

Blue

[Nightposter]

Why not?
we can always close it, if it gets out of hand....

[Bluestone]

Yeah, why not?

Plus, comments help struggling writers!

Everyone's always been able to comment on an author's thread, but perhaps a lot of people didn't realize this. Your comment about 'struggling writers' does have merit. We all have to start somewhere. Perhaps by closing it to a select group, we have unintentionally sent a message that you have to be a fully experienced writer to post on FF's storyboard. Would more people post stories, if we opened the forum to all registered users?

NP, you're also right that we can always close it again, if it gets out of hand. Hmmm.

Any other comments?

Blue

[smudger]

As NP says, try it, and if it don't work, mend it.

[Steph]

I really love writing but have noticed how little response there is from the community. It has taken away some of my zest. If this would open things up I would be delighted. I can't see any downside to trying.

[rbdragon]

Try it and see, as has been said, if it don't work, you can always close it again.

~Robert

[Bluestone]

Okay, as a result of the overpowering 'Yes' vote, I have opened up the Pulped Fiction storyboard so that all registered users can post topics/stories on the forum, as well as comment on the stories of others. Spread the word to any and all story writers in our community. The FF storyboard is FULLY open for fun and frolic!

If you have a story posted elsewhere, cut and paste it over here, so that the FF members can enjoy and comment on it too!

Blue

[Bluestone]

NOTE: I have also widened the type of content that can be posted, removing the restriction on 'obscene' material, since the storyboard is hidden from the public now. So, anything in our genre goes... except for illegal content such as child abuse.

Blue

[Vanessa]

Hidden to the public simply means you have to have a membership to Femme Fatalities Message Board, correct?

Just because the board is opened up, does not mean that comments will increase for stories posted. Blue mentioned anyone could comment, but only authorized members could START a thread. However, I do think the board should be open so that authors who may have not realized you needed special authorization can post. Perhaps that will at least liven up the story board with more stories to read. As for getting comments..... I wouldn't hold your breath, people. Other than the regular responders, I don't fore see a sudden boost in appreciation and I think you will still have more reads than comments.

I know my vote is sort of moot (as Blue already opened up the board), but I agree with the majority that opening the board can only help and not hinder the activity of the story board.

Nessa

[Bluestone]

Hi Nessa,

In answer to your question, you have to be registered and logged in to see the storyboard as well as half of the forums here, but once logged in anyone can start a thread or otherwise post on the storyboard. The reason that it will remain hidden from the public is that most sites like ours that have been closed down have been closed down because of the storyboard content, not the general commentary forum and images. FF does not need or want unnecessary attention from the 'public'. We are not here for the general public, so they are just provided with a glimpse of us. We are here for our community only.

Blue

[Sandi]

Sorry I missed this before, but I concur 100000000% (at least, says Subtle Sandi...lol) that the 'open it up' option at least has a chance to increase the activity at the Story Forum. And Vanessa is absolutely correct, based on even the very popular Story Forum at DS, that 'some' will comment but there will be far, far more 'reads' than comments. But the more active it becomes, it will feed on itself and grow further.

Seriously, 'many' authors at DS expressed doubts and reservations that they could not 'live up' to the quality already posted and therefore had not contributed their own offerings; those Members were all encouraged to DO IT, to write, to put it up there and that any and all efforts will be enjoyed.

And that has proven true, at least there, that many formerly reluctant Writers took that first step and realized that in this community the 'quality of the English' or some 'structure' or 'grammar' judgments or whatever, do not apply here! We're talkin' thoughts, images, SEX....and if a person simply writes what they feel, it works for most readers.

Let's hope this encourages growth for that Forum here also! And if it does, that will lead to more activity at all forums, I believe. Anything to encourage 'activity', is my own philosophy, though of course there is nothing wrong with a smaller, more 'intimate' Site! But I think 'most' would be encouraged to post more everywhere here if and when activity has increased.

Writers (and contributors of any type of 'our' material!) enjoy, hope for, and, really, expect and deserve at least 'some' feedback and it does get discouraging when no one responds. So that 'response level' is on 'us', the Members, if we truly wish that Forum to grow. Read, enjoy, leave a brief comment (did 'she' say 'brief' ) and that will encourage more contributions.

Sandi

[Vanessa]

I am completely okay with the board being hidden from public. Bad enough we will have registered lurkers, we don't need free-loaders gawking at are precious stories as well! I just realized that could come off as sarcastic, but I DO mean it! lol

Nessa