I like the guide to making chapter comments etc - when I first joined, the prospect of putting digital pen to paper scared the hell out of me.    When I like a post on someone's WordPress blog, a little box flashes up, asking me if I want to comment. While Automattic is in a rather different league, I wonder how difficult it would be to construct something like that for the story part of the site?

I think the club consolidation with everything writing related going into the writer's club made a lot of sense. That was a good idea. It was weird to suddenly find gaming stuff in The Lounge, lol! But it makes sense to drop forums that don't get a lot of activity. 

My request is maybe a little self motivated, but anyhow, I would like, if it is technically possible, a feature that encourages writers to complete a story and promotes new writers and their work. So something like the Top Stories, only when a new writer completes their first story it gets featured, for a little bit, under a panel: New Author First Book - author xxx has completed title xxx about summary and link. Also the feature could apply to everyone, as in Latest Story - by author xxx has been completed.

In this way you would encourage writers to complete stories because they would get a little promotion of their stories on the site. That in turn would help them as a sort of snowball effect. People would click read and comment. More unknown authors would get a chance to become known. The well known authors have their readership, a little boost for newbies and unknowns would be great. It might encourage wider readership of authors and less unfinished books, with an incententive to complete and get your name and book mentioned, even if it rests on the front page just a few days like newly published books.

You also asked: Can you tell us what prompted you to join GA? 

I was prompted to join because I could publish my story which had been rejected (sometimes quite bluntly, other times ignored) everywhere else and I was hopeful I might get a few readers and comments that would aid an enthusiastic and budding new author. I'm happy to report I have not been disappointed and am enjoying getting more involved and interacting. I would encourage anyone thinking about it, to join.

I became a member to tell an author i enjoyed his work.   We became friends and he encouraged me to post my first poems.  What kept me here?  The generous and kind people who pulled me into their circle. They read my work and i read theirs and others.  Their acceptance pulled me out of my shell.

@Cia helped me while i messed up posting things, with humour and kindness. So did many other staff members. They are a wonderful giving bunch of people.  But Cia is also right when she says you get out what you put in.

I read a lot.. commented a lot. Supported people's efforts. I put in the time and effort and i met my wonderful editor and other wonderful writers and poets. GA is my home away from home. I love it here.

There is something here for everyone. You just need to look.  And Read.. and Comment and Like .. because only those things encourage authors to keep writing.

To be honest, I joined to watch over my husband. But I've met some wonderful people, read some wonderful work and even written my own blog. GA and its denizens grow on you. I'd like to see some 'regular' members come on here and say something. Be a more active part of the community .. and for those who just read and never join...well you don't know what you're missing. 

I was prompted to join GA by @Fae Briona.  I had been writing a story with Dom/sub dynamics, and I wanted to get things right, so he pointed me at @Mikiesboy's blog, and @MacGreg's lessons.  Both were awesome resources, and the members themselves continue to be.

What keeps me engaged are the other active members and the feedback on my work.  GA has a great recipe in terms of layout and feedback systems.  If an author is active on other works in addition to their own, then they begin to build relationships with other authors - which can only draw more eyes to the works posted by those active authors.

It has been a great community, and I've learned a lot.

Huh, I forgot about that question when I commented, lol! I had GA suggested to me by a reader on a different site. Can't even recall who it was now... But I'm really grateful I followed the suggestion. No one was reading my original stuff on that other site, just my fanfic. When I came here I was so well received by the community almost at once and welcomed with open arms. I love the way we're able to communicate with our readers, get feedback, and be part of a community. It hurt to be away while I wasn't able to write for two years. Coming back was like coming home.

well Cia, you asked:

honestly, i can't remember how i found my way here.  but now that i'm here, y'all are stuck with me. lol!

i've made some really good friends, have learned so much, and read so much good poetry and fiction. i know that my life is richer because of these relationships.
that’s part of what keeps me coming back. i wish i could tell new members, lurkers, “guests” that there is so much more to GA than the stories and poems. it doesn’t cost anything to get involved.  get a membership, make a few comments. heck if you really like it, leave a review. most of the authors respond in a day or so. most of them will even accept a negative comment, if it’s given in a kind tone. now where else can you get that kind of interaction with an author? i’ve seen the other sites, none of them have the immersive experience of GA.  where else can you join a chat group with people from all over the world who enjoy the stories, and talk about life, love, surviving and thriving?
it’s important i think that readers know how important likes and comments are. i didn’t know until i had been here for a couple of years.  the authors work very hard to give us these wonderful things to read. they do this in their spare time, juggling families, and jobs.
i’ve struggled with wondering if my comments were “worthy' or if they sounded like everyone else’s. i’ve been told time and again by several well respected authors that it doesn’t matter if you say something simple like, “I really enjoyed that” it matters.
my favorite spots are the Forums page, to see what’s new, and who’s online; the Blogs page, to see who’s writing what.  I’m a huge fan of Carlos’s Ask An Author (AAA), Live Poets is a wonderful area to read some great stuff, meet the poets, even learn to write poetry yourself.

obviously, i could go on and on but i'll stop here.

Hi, @Cia

I held off replying in hopes some of the newer members would. It seems the same small group of people are the ones who always participate.

As a couple others have mentioned, I came to GA following an author who ended up being banned from the site. I came back looking for something to read a few months later and haven't been able to kick the habit since. Cassie has mentioned a few times she found GA when she followed you here, and I know several members have chased me after first finding me on Nifty or CRVboy.

@Talo Segura

I spent six months or so reading, commenting on stories, and interacting in the forums. When I had the guts to write and post a story for an anthology, I had a built-in audience. My CJ series didn't become popular by chance. It took work to build up a fan base. Myr posted something about this a while back. Paraphrasing: You can build a following by writing outstanding stories or by being a social butterfly so all your 'friends' support you. By doing both, you ensure a larger reading group.

I followed the recommendation of a friend, stumbled about some great stories, wrote my first prompt story, got encouraging comments, and here I am.

This means, we all should talk about GA, praise the site and maybe offer to be a guide.

I don't know if it's doable, but posting linked snippets of stories else where  might entice readers, as they come directly to the story without having to become accustomed to the site. 

It seems to be a well trodden path. Lurk, read, join, comment, and maybe try a spot of writing yourself. It's what I did too. I can't remember what story it was that brought me here, but it was in the early days. I've watched the site develop and grow over the years and seen members come and go. Throughout that time there has been a core group of members who I once referred to as the 'inner circle.'

It wasn't a criticism just an observation from the fringes, but it took a while for me realize how it worked. @Cia is fond of reminding us that 'you get out what you put in' and that is very true. It's worth the effort and has helped me enormously in so many ways. The site has a lot to offer with good, free advice and interaction with some very talented and experienced authors. New authors are lucky to have all this for free and are always encouraged to improve and showcase their work.

I like the changes to the story reviews and comments. It's difficult to think of ways it can be improved. I think the key is, as always, in the quality of the writing and this should continue to attract new members and budding authors to the site. I hope so, because this is the only site I post anything on so I kind of have all my eggs in one basket here.

Whatever. I've made a lot of friends here, had a lot of fun, and received a lot of encouragement. Maybe I've even become one of the 'inner circle' without realizing it. If so, I'm still waiting for the initiation ceremony.

9 minutes ago, Dodger said:

If so, I'm still waiting for the initiation ceremony.

It's coming, it's coming...

2 hours ago, Thorn Wilde said:

GA has a Twitter account, but you post to it only a couple of times per week, and it never interacts with anybody.

I imagine the issue is time. The admins here have other lives as well as devoting a large amount of time and effort to the site. Might there be mileage in convening a group of members to maintain and enliven the Twitter account (within a framework, of course)?

You are all quite right, members do make the difference. 

I followed an author here from another site when he (she? lol I am not really sure) was having plagiarism issues. I joined in order to be able to leave comments on chapters etc. I find the interaction enjoyable.

Members need to understand, however, that words are a double edged sword.  What is said matters, and to more people than whom you said it to.  

The old adage is wrong,  Words CAN and DO hurt, sometimes more than the sticks and stones.

You are all quite right, members do make the difference

I, like others, followed a favorite author to GA. I then had some FAN Envy and was able to speak, with this same author, and found he was a friendly guy. I also found a lot of good friends in here that helped me make a life changing decision. So to me the members of GA really make the difference.

rick

5 minutes ago, Myr said:

If we had more people actively helping and volunteering on teams, volunteering for blogs,

Would a list of 'vacancies' focus minds? My minor job vanished so I might be available for something not too time-consuming. 

For what it's worth, I have a link to my GA page in my Instagram profile. I'm not overly active and don't have a lot of followers but you never know.

Now that I'm done with my endless series, I plan to post cover art for each new story I publish on GA along with a link to it.

Don't remember how I stumbled upon this site, but I've enjoyed it here -- though I've just really started to be active in commenting and interacting. We have a nice "community" here, full of support and encouragement. Unlike some other sites where the members are more hostile to one another, or there's no easy way to interact with the authors to give feedback.

I love the way the site makes it easy to find specific genre's / styles of stories, and gives a brief blurb of the story so you know what it's about.

Glad you joined @Wayne Gray

6 hours ago, rickproehl said:

You are all quite right, members do make the difference

I, like others, followed a favorite author to GA. I then had some FAN Envy and was able to speak, with this same author, and found he was a friendly guy. I also found a lot of good friends in here that helped me make a life changing decision. So to me the members of GA really make the difference.

rick

I want to name the members that have helped me out. I feel I need to give them some recognition for there help. A little background I’ve been GAY all my life but I was never “OUT”  So I was talking to a few members and we had a discussion on this. So thru them and a few sleepless nights I finally came out at work . It went VERY well no issues and everyone has my back if I run into any issues. I feel a whole lot better. I want to tell @MacGreg and @MichaelS36 and @Mikiesboy a BIG THANK YOU. Without their guidance I would still in he closet. They help me face a few things about trust issues which was holding me back. I figured it was “was go big or go home” so I went big. I’m not looking back so Thank You.

Now my favorite Author’s are @Carlos Hazday and @Wayne Gray both of them have been so friendly I have enjoyed their stories. The series CJ  was one of my favorites and when I saw Carlos in the old Chat room I was shocked at that time I never spoke to him. I then got up the courage and we spoke to each other. Now after that had happen Wayne walked in with his story Guarded and when I saw him I wasn’t to nervous to tell him hi.

So when I say members make a difference to me those 5 guys are why I’m always here.

Guys thanks again. I know I can never give back to you what you have given to me but I would love to. if any of you need anything let me know. 

Also if anyone here needs some one to talk to I’m here for you. I want to at least pay it forward to another person.

rick

4 minutes ago, rickproehl said:

I want to name the members that have helped me out. I feel I need to give them some recognition for there help. A little background I’ve been GAY all my life but I was never “OUT”  So I was talking to a few members and we had a discussion on this. So thru them and a few sleepless nights I finally came out at work . It went VERY well no issues and everyone has my back if I run into any issues. I feel a whole lot better. I want to tell @MacGreg and @MichaelS36 and @Mikiesboy a BIG THANK YOU. Without their guidance I would still in he closet. They help me face a few things about trust issues which was holding me back. I figured it was “was go big or go home” so I went big. I’m not looking back so Thank You.

Now my favorite Author’s are @Carlos Hazday and @Wayne Gray both of them have been so friendly I have enjoyed their stories. The series CJ  was one of my favorites and when I saw Carlos in the old Chat room I was shocked at that time I never spoke to him. I then got up the courage and we spoke to each other. Now after that had happen Wayne walked in with his story Guarded and when I saw him I wasn’t to nervous to tell him hi.

So when I say members make a difference to me those 5 guys are why I’m always here.

Guys thanks again. I know I can never give back to you what you have given to me but I would love to. if any of you need anything let me know. 

Also if anyone here needs some one to talk to I’m here for you. I want to at least pay it forward to another person.

rick

You did go big, rick.. and i'm really happy for you. i'm glad we could be there for you when you needed us. xoxo

6 minutes ago, rickproehl said:

Guys thanks again. I know I can never give back to you what you have given to me but I would love to. if any of you need anything let me know. 

There's no need to give it back … you will do that in spades when you help someone who reaches out to you. I'm glad we could offer you a helping hand when it was needed.