That is so true... When I first posted my story, I was really scared about how people would take it. I was afraid that with so many great authors already here, I'll just be another small fish... I stil feel that sometimes, but I've grown to overlook it.
Talk about that one!!!
When i first started out on this forum (active participation), I was always confused. There was a Kevin whom I couldn't place until I got to know his screen name, there were two Steve's whom I had to place with their usernames and then the infamous goat!!
There are so many inside jokes, so many taunts that I am still not familiar with. I was afraid of calling CJ 'goat' as I felt that it may offend him... but then when I got to know him, it became second nature to call him so... I never thought that I'll be bantering around with Talonrider (Jan). He was, after all, my editor and is so much more elder to me. But I got comfy with him as well.
What I'm trying to say is, with participation, one gets to know the inside jokes. He/She also gets comfortable posting their thoughts and lose some of their inhibitions. Like Graeme said, it is all about being relaxed and that comes when you talk to people, join in on their conversations.
Even in real life, if a person keeps to himself when in a group, he'll never penetrate into its core. Same is the case here. I can proudly say that I have achieved that, to an extent. Now it's up to the new membership to join us in that core group.... We'll always welcome y'all with open arms...
BeaStKid with his two cents...