Okay, I know you’re out there, because it’s plain to see that someone is coming to read those messages for comments that I posted, and I’m sure it’s not the same person over and over again! (Or is it?)
I’m thinking it’s one of several reasons that keeps you from going ahead and writing down your thoughts, and if you’re still reading this post, then you know I’m now going to tell you exactly what those reasons might be!
Possibility One:
You're nervous about posting something on a message board.
Answer:
I know the feeling! There was a first time for me as well. But you can preview your post before posting it, and there is a spell checker available for those of you who might be slightly dyslexic like me! I never let the fear of poor grammar or misspellings stop me, however, witnessed by the fact that I often post some of both on a regular basis, so don’t worry that someone will correct you here! We all understand and couldn’t care less about that stuff – unless it’s in the actual story, of course, and then we’re kind of anxious about fixing it ASAP!
But we know mistakes happen to the best people, and we are sympathetic here. Which brings me to my next possibility…
Possibility Two:
You’ve visited other boards in the past and witnessed other people seemingly being treated as if they should be wearing a dunce cap, and you’re thinking, “Not going there, no sir-ee! Taking no chances like that!”
Answer: Oh boy! Have I seen that happen! At some sites they seem a little put out if someone asks or says something that has been asked or said before. It’s as if they expect one to read everything that has come before it for the last year or more before one dares to speak. Please! Who has that kind of time?
You really are safe here! Put your feet up, grab your chocolate bar or other decadent and forbidden treat, and type away! Accidental, or even purposeful, revisiting of topics are perfectly okay with us! And we don’t mind crumbs either.
Possibility Three:
You’re only stopping by to see what other people are saying.
Answer:
Sure! So am I, lol! Really now, if someone doesn’t start off with some comment or other, then there will never be anything to read from others. Be daring! Be the first one in the neighborhood! Be the one who gets Sylwia off my back about no one posting here! Save me!
And while I’m on the subject of Sylwia, with her blessings of course, I’m now led to the next possibility…
Possibility Four:
You’re a non-native speaker or writer of English.
Answer:
Well join the club! Sylwia can’t even write it without me around! And if we can understand her – especially a year and a half ago when we first started trading jibes and emails – then we can certainly follow anyone else who makes the attempt!
So is there no one around you to practice your English on? Please, use us! We don’t mind! Sylwia’s made great strides, and you can too!
Possibility Five:
You’re simply too lazy to bother putting anything down.
Answer:
Well honey, we’re lazy too, but at least we took the time to write the story. The least you can do if you’re reading it… Well, need I say more here?
Possibility Six:
You have only bad things to say, and you have good enough manners to not say anything at all when that is the case.
Answer:
Manners? Didn’t I just say something about the fact that we didn’t stand on ceremony here? Go ahead. Break a few rules. We want any comment we can get at this point, at least I do so Sylwia will stop nagging me. (Please refer back to the note under possibility number three.)
Seriously, we are working to make this as good a story as we can make it. All comments are welcome, not just the gushy ones – although we like those too so don't let that last comment scare you away, lol!
Possibility Seven:
You know us from Austenesque, and we scared the heck out of you there.
Answer:
Come now! That can’t be true if you are here now, can it? You know there is nothing really scary about us if truth were told. We might be a little overzealous at times – well Sylwia might be, never me – but please don’t be frightened. We sincerely wish to know how the story is being read by everyone. Good or bad, we’d truly like to hear from you.
Possibility Eight:
You’re afraid that if you say anything at all, Sylwia will choose one word out of your whole entire comment and respond with eight pages of research about that topic – even if it had nothing to do with your point to begin with.
Answer:
I promise to not to let Sylwia answer your post with a long educational diatribe – she’ll keep it to 100 words or less if she can’t stop the teacher inside from coming out, lol! Will that help get you over the hump if this is your issue?
In Conclusion:
I’m sure I missed something. If you can think of anything in between your rush to post comments, please let me know! And feel free to comment on this comment as well! Have at it! After all, I only get to edit these days, and I really need some other diversion, as you can probably tell by now, lol.
