I just hooked up with a writer's website, Everything2. I am a bit confused about the full intent of this site. From what I can discern to this point, it is a site for folks to post the written word in front of an apparently tough crowd. Previous experience with sites like this have left me battered, beaten, and torn asunder. No one is more brutal and honest than those who judge those who pretend to belong. I have yet to post. There are rules. Lots of rules. There are suggestions that fall just shy of rules. And then there are the fopahs. The unspoken rules you discover only after breaking them. Throughout the various FAQs I read, constant warnings of proper grammar, spelling and HTML skills were sprinkled. Playing fast and loose with the King's English is most definitely frowned upon.
After an hour or so of trying to get a handle on the ins and outs, I left and came here without posting or even lurking. Joining that community seems more intimidating than here. A blogger's world is a mob scene. A crowd of indivual expressions that take pride in not conforming, just connectting. And even connecting seems an afterthought with quite a few. This E2 site is sructured and rigid in comparison. You can apparently wax upon anything you want, but make it interesting, well written, and make a point. Instead of the typical blogger waitng a lifetime for a response, in E2, others are waiting to respond. Waiting to pounce. Any negatives quickly pointed out and often whole nodes(originating posts) summarily deleted before the next sunrise. Check your ego at the door. Thick skin required.
7 comments:
You only really get pounced on if you post crappy stuff, to be fair...lots of people have made some good writeups as newbies and have survived pounce-free...
I like your style! It’s fresh, frank and honest.
Your commentary is a topic on E2 and this is how I found you. I hear ya because I’ve been there. It’s confusing as all get out and while there is some negative feedback there is a whole lot of positives. Like up votes and cools and messages from fellow writers! If you like to write fiction I can give you several writers to read that can set a good example. If you like to write factuals I can help you with that too! If it’s blogging we have a place for that too called daylogs.
I'm an editor there and if you ever care to dip your toe into the nodegel please feel free to create an account and message me or sign up for a mentor. We'll help you through the miasma of FAQ's.
Paragraph 1: "Lots of rules." is a sentence fragment.
Paragraph 1: "And then there are the fopahs(sic)." is a fragment. Why have the previous sentence end with a period if you are going to start off with "And"?
Paragraph 1:"The unspoken rules you discover only after breaking them." is a fragment. This is modifying the noun "fopahs" and should probably be in the same sentence.
Paragraph 2: "connectting" is misspelled.
Paragraph 2: "Waiting to pounce." is again a fragment.
Paragraph 2: "Any negatives quickly pointed out and often whole nodes(originating posts) summarily deleted before the next sunrise" is a fragment and a run on.
Lame ass disclaimer: http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=402107
(r) BuffcorePhil says It's not all that bad, and I gather there are friendships to be made once you crack into the clique. It's addictive, once you're in there.
Just get your grammar and formatting right, [link to other relevant subjects], and don't worry about the downvotes and deletions. Trust me, in a year's time you'll look back on the ones that get deleted and be glad no one can see them.
I've been on Everything2 for six years now and I'm still confused about "the full intent of the site."
Not only is it not stated anywhere, you'll get different answers depending on who you ask.
I've always treated it as a "Hitchhiker's Guide to Everything" and they haven't kicked me out yet.
Yes, it'a a tough audience, but you do get an audience.
E2 is considerably different from most writing communities, but there are plenty of people to help you get acclimated. Give it another chance! I bet you'll find it rewarding.
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