Hello from a complete newcomer

[sianablackwood]

I've never been here before. I was just feeling really overwhelmed by social media and thinking I'll probably never get comfortable with Discord, so I started searching for an active forum and found this one. Or rather, found the other one that was probably about to disappear and followed the links to this one.

A bit about me: I'm autistic and have anxiety/agoraphobia, I love heavy metal, and I write fantasy. I used to do nanowrimo back when it was just November and the other months had separate little communities on other forums. I feel like I haven't really had a space where I could engage in writing-related conversation since all that disappeared, which is... I don't even know how long ago. It was some time in the previous decade, anyway. So, I guess I'm here because there's people who like thread-based discussion instead of a continuous chat where I always feel like I'm interrupting. Does that sound weird? I feel like I'm hitting completely the wrong tone with this. I'm pretty sure I always come across as distant/off-putting when I'm nervous.

Anyway, hello. I'm looking forward to hanging out here.

 

[Mr Mononoke]

Hello @sianablackwood

You've found a good little spot to hide for a bit and share some of your writing thoughts. Don't worry about your intro, it was informative, showed your writing background, but most importantly of all, showed you and that is something I think all good writers have.

It can be nervy entering into a new space, but don't. Like the first day of school, seeing new names, watching the talkative chat with their groups and friends can feel intimidating, but unlike school, there is a bunch of writers who love this thing we do and it isn't like school where we sit and listen to the teacher, we sit and listen to each other and this is a nice corner in the vast internet space to find some souls similar to you.

Don't be afraid to jump into conversations. Don't be afraid to start up conversations. Don't be afraid...

Welcome aboard.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

So, I guess I'm here because there's people who like thread-based discussion instead of a continuous chat where I always feel like I'm interrupting.

You've perfectly encapsulated my brief experience with Discord, even though the others in the group were a friendly and welcoming bunch. I'm not generally an anxious person but avoid other social media because they raise my anxiety levels. I hope you like it here.

 

[Naomasa298]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[That Guy Named Aaron]

No, you came across OK. Welcome to Dorgland.

 

[Louanne Learning]

Hello and welcome, Siana. Please make yourself at home, jump into the discussions, or start your own!

 

[Trish]

Welcome Siana. It doesn't sound weird at all. Discord is a hard place to get used to and feeling like you're interrupting is a feeling I'm very familiar with. Social media is a whole other scary animal lol.

Your tone was perfect, no worries.

Happy to have you here!

 

[That Guy Named Aaron]

Welcome, welcome.

 

[big soft moose]

Hey Siana welcome to the site... where did you find out about us if you don't mind my asking? Its useful for us to know where new members are coming from

 

[sianablackwood]

I honestly just typed 'writing forum' in duckduckgo, then clicked through to a few different results that looked interesting. Writingforums.org was one that looked like it might be safe to mention fanfiction, and also the visible threads seemed to have a generally friendly vibe.

I've also been in a similar forum closure situation in the past, which I guess made me feel a little bit emotionally invested in this one. I'm seriously impressed with the way everyone is handling the move - the communication from staff were particularly nice to see.

PS - thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. I'm reading lots and slowly finding my feet here (I hope!).