I let myself succomb to a public pissy moment earlier tonight, and I’m pretty disgusted with myself for it. So, to help me remember that old “If you don’t have anything nice to say,…” chestnut, I’ve spent some time remembering what online romance communities—those same forums, lists, etc that make me crazy lately—have meant to me.
By the time the short kid was born, it was pretty much over for me. I still wrote, but my heart wasn’t in it because the dream was slipping away. I’d sent some things out, had a few rejections to show for it. But, even though it hurt like a bitch when I thought about it, I’d pretty much given up on seeing my name on a book cover.
Then we got a computer. I was heavy into the family history at the time, and was so thankful to not have my online-resource time limited to half-hour library blocks. I don’t remember what I was looking for—I think it was one of those totally accidental things—but I ended up at eHarlequin.com’s Writing Romance discussion board. That day changed my life. Yeah, that makes me sound like a drama queen, but honestly? It really did.
While the WR board has changed a lot since I joined, no doubt in some part because there are probably 5 times more members, it is still THE place to go for category writing how-to. Sure, there’s snarkiness sometimes, and some flat-out brawls, but the amount of time the members spend helping others is pretty mind-boggling, and there are a ton of fun, talented, and generous people there. (Oh, and the hosts totally rock. :wink:)
I soaked up everything my poor, overloading muse could handle. I learned that those rejections I’d received were “good” rejections, and that gave me hope. I found hope in the success stories of the many writers on the board who hang out and give back. So many women were struggling with the same things. And the knowledge to be found there was astounding.
I also found the very best friends I’ve ever had there. (*pause for 
moment—sorry*)
What relevance does that have to me not being pissy in public? I don’t know. Just having positivity, gratitude, and online romance writing groups in one thought seemed important to me.
Is positivity a word?
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Positivity is a perfectly cromulent word.:nod:
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Emma~ Thank you for providing a link for that word. :thumb:
Shannon~ I agree, while the online communites sometimes are a bit, rough or snarky, you know what? I see them as a family, there’ll be good and bad, but it’s home.
Does that make sense? :shrug:
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Excellent! I love it when a word I use is an actual word. (Though it’s not a necessity)
That’s exactly how I feel about eHQ, Sasha. But it just seems lately like somebody cloned crazy Aunt Sally, and she’s overrunning the barbeque, so I need to keep reminding myself to hang out over by the veggie platter and keep my mouth full of brocolli. :cheesy:
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:clap: It’s good to remember the good stuff.
You’re one of my good stuffs. And that’s almost certainly not a word.
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I’ve read about your article and I agree with what you say. More and more people nowadays are resorting into the web to look for their ideal partner in a relationship. The crowd looking for dates online is getting large so there is a need to create more online romance communities to facilitate and promote it. cyber dating is fun and exciting. In the web, there is an infinity of possibilities for you to choose in meeting friends and dates.