A community discussion of our forum names, descriptions and categories

Chris OConnor · Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:00 am


	Suzanne wrote: I also like DWill's idea about "what are you currently reading". This again, encourages participation because the purpose is clear, an action is being asked.

Me too.

This would make a great new forum and I think I'll add it. Thanks for the suggestion, DWill, and thanks for the feedback, Suzanne. I agree that this forum will probably get a ton of activity as many online book groups don't even have a group discussion book. All they do is talk about books they are currently reading. We should have had this forum a long time ago!

Chris OConnor · Sun Mar 07, 2010 11:03 am


	DWill wrote: At this point, what I do is click on "view active topics" and that's about it. I'm not very aware of the forum index as its own page.

I didn't even know this button existed. :shock:

This goes to show you how we all use the site differently.

Interbane · Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:14 pm

The grouping you had for the four forums under "special forums" would grab my attention. It tells the visitor that, this is where you come to be creative. Like a playground section. But I do agree that if anything is added, fat must be trimmed. Lowest activity forums perhaps?

Chris OConnor · Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:44 pm

So we need to come up with the precise name of the new section.

Should it be...

Special Forums
Miscellaneous Forums
The Playground
Literature, Reading and Books
Books, Authors and Publishing
Extra Forums

Think up a name and explain your reason for the name. If we are too specific then we will run into the situation where a new potential forum won't fit in the section. We have to be general yet descriptive. This is why I suggested "Special Forums."

Then we need to come up with some new forums that invite people to really open up and talk about reading, writing and books in general.

- A Passion for Poetry - this can be for member-written poetry or published poetry
- Creative Writing - for sharing personal writing
- Short Stories - for discussing published short stories (member-written would go in the creative writing)
- What are you currently reading?

Anything else?

Help me with these forum names AND descriptions.

Saffron · Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:50 pm

Chris OConnor wrote:


	DWill wrote: At this point, what I do is click on "view active topics" and that's about it. I'm not very aware of the forum index as its own page.

I didn't even know this button existed. :shock:

This goes to show you how we all use the site differently.

I had the very same reaction, Chris.

It made me want to ask everyone how they use the site. I always look at the sidebar box of new posts and then I might click on View new posts button.

bleachededen · Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:46 pm


	Chris OConnor wrote: So we need to come up with the precise name of the new section. Should it be... Special Forums Miscellaneous Forums The Playground Literature, Reading and Books Books, Authors and Publishing Extra Forums Think up a name and explain your reason for the name. If we are too specific then we will run into the situation where a new potential forum won't fit in the section. We have to be general yet descriptive. This is why I suggested "Special Forums." Then we need to come up with some new forums that invite people to really open up and talk about reading, writing and books in general. - A Passion for Poetry - this can be for member-written poetry or published poetry - Creative Writing - for sharing personal writing - Short Stories - for discussing published short stories (member-written would go in the creative writing) - What are you currently reading? Anything else? Help me with these forum names AND descriptions.

I like "The Playground" idea, and I think it's eye catching, but I'm not sure people would understand what's going on in the forum and how the forum name relates to the threads inside the forum. I agree with the four subforums and think they go well together. I guess my vote for naming would have to be "Special Forums," as it's the least specific but most eye catching. "Extra" and "Miscellaneous" forums sounds too much like leftovers or stuff you don't know what to do with and will probably be avoided.

I especially like the "Creative Writing" forum, as I would like to have a place to workshop my own writing (which has been hard since I left school), and within this forum could be threads that include prompts to instigate writing and feedback and could help people who struggle with finding motivation for their writing (like me :-P

).

I like the way this is heading.

Suzanne · Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:36 pm

Sorry, I was not clear, did not mean to suggest that the short story forum should have the link in the description, just that the description may mention that the short story thread provides a link to the story so members do not need to buy any material. This is the reason the short story forum is so popular. I would never want to create more work for you.

Interbane · Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:06 pm

The thread about how to find an agent is a good example of what I was envisioning would be included in a forum for writers:

how-do-you-find-a-good-agent-t7927.html

How about doing like this:

Special Forums
- A Passion for Poetry - this can be for member-written poetry or published poetry
- Creative Writing - for sharing personal writing
- Short Stories - for discussing published short stories (member-written would go in the creative writing)
- What are you currently reading?
- Authors Resources(or some similar name)

I like the Special Forums name, but wonder if Google would like it? The subforum names would be more important, correct? Since they would be more specific. Creative writing is a forum I'd spend time in. I enjoy writing, but when I blog as such, I don't feel like anyone sees it.

I'm not sure about what to name any potential authors forums. The writingforums.org site goes into greater detail than we'd get participation in, as far as it's subforums and how specific they are. Perhaps in the future. Something like "Author's Lounge"? Writers Guild? :mrgreen:

Storycrafting?

Were you picturing the threads such as the one about Agents being in one of the other subforums?

Saffron · Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:55 pm


	Interbane wrote: The thread about how to find an agent is a good example of what I was envisioning would be included in a forum for writers: how-do-you-find-a-good-agent-t7927.html How about doing like this: Special Forums - A Passion for Poetry - this can be for member-written poetry or published poetry

I think I'd rather see the member written poetry be with other member written peices.

Interbane · Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:17 pm

What do you suggest Saffron? Should poetry be under Creative Writing? Where would published poetry go?

Any ideas on an authors forum?

Suzanne · Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:02 am


	Interbane wrote: Something like "Author's Lounge"?

Something like? I love this! Gives me pictures in my head of coffee shops, and comfy chairs. I'm not an author, but I would certainly click on to the "Author's Lounge", pull up a chair and listen to the discussions. Sounds informal and inviting, perfect

Suzanne · Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:27 am


	Saffron wrote: I think I'd rather see the member written poetry be with other member written peices.

Saffron, your knowledge and "passion" for poetry is clear. Again, I know very little about poetry, and the mechanics of this writing form. However, I am confident when visiting the poetry forum, I am confident that I will learn something because of your knowledge. I will say that I have read more poetry, here on BT over the last few months than I have in my entire life. The discussions between yourself and DWill, and also oblivion that I have read, have given me a new appreciation of poetry. It is my fear, that if member written pieces of poetry are placed into a general writing forum, these pieces will not get your attention. Who is better qualified to discuss member written poetry than yourself? I say this with a clean nose. If everything connected with poetry can be found in one place, I do believe it would benifit the visitors of the forum.

Chris OConnor · Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:14 pm

Wow, you read my mind Suzanne. I've been reading this discussion and thinking the past few days. I don't like the idea of breaking up poetry into multiple forums, no matter who wrote the poetry. I think member written poetry deserves the attention it will get in an active and thriving poetry forum.

Poetry lovers will probably gravitate towards the "A Passion for Poetry" forum and never even snoop around the creative writing forum we'll soon be adding. Of course this is not necessarily true for all poetry fanatics, but as a general rule people will search for poetry in a forum labeled with the word "poetry" and not "creative writing" or "member writing," etc...

I do LOVE "Authors Lounge" too!

Interbane · Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:29 pm


	Quote: Poetry lovers will probably gravitate towards the "A Passion for Poetry" forum and never even snoop around the creative writing forum we'll soon be adding. Of course this is not necessarily true for all poetry fanatics, but as a general rule people will search for poetry in a forum labeled with the word "poetry" and not "creative writing" or "member writing," etc...

I agree. I've been drawn into the poetry forum against my prejudices simply because I feel left out. There's always been something about the forum that's made it impossible to ignore. I apologize for the biased words, but I'm not really a poet. Whatever the formula is for the forum, changing it wouldn't be wise.

Chris, are you able to list the forum names as you see them being changes? After all the discussion I'm not sure I have a grasp on it at the moment.

I have another idea. Is it possible to customize the home page a little? Meaning, is there an option to put 3 of my top favorite forum links directly on the front page just for my username? Yeah yeah, I'm lazy.

Chris OConnor · Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:54 pm

Special Forums

A Passion for Poetry
Authors Lounge
Short Stories
Creative Writing

I will be on in a little bit and will create the new non-fiction poll.

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