Quote by DazzlingLove
And burp and fart and shit and snort and guffaw and squeal and cry and all that other good stuff. I'm as comfortable as I can be because who else am I going to be vulnerable with?
Quote by bethalia
Is this STILL going on? Real life (as opposed to internet life) intervened for a few days, but I'm glad it at least seems to be winding down a bit.
I'm not sure I know what you mean by 'assist in getting it out to the readers.' I hope if you're editing you're providing a real benefit. I get the impression some decide to edit just because they've been writing for a while, and that's generous but not necessarily helpful. (And I'm just asking. My assumption is that what you provide is helpful and worthwhile.) I enjoy editing because of the teaching function involved. I can provide authoritative information on the mechanics/punctuation/grammar/usage side, and informed and experienced opinion on the character/plot/setting/mood/etc. side. Hopefully folks can offer the same if they're going to set themselves up as editors.
And you can't really mean to take me to task for being critical of anyone (although you specifically mentioned moderator, so I get it: site insider, sacred personage, above criticism). Have you paid attention to the crap that's been heaped on me for opening up to discussion and scrutiny that Lush, while a quality site, might have an issue or two and be less than perfect? (said B.E. to yet another Forum Guru - although I need to be careful, as if this thread goes on much longer I'll have reached a sufficient number of posts to achieve that exalted sobriquet!).
I noticed omkn dropped out of the discussion fairly early, and that was a wise decision. It's my OT so I've stayed with it even though it makes me a target for the insiders and the powers that can't abide the concept of the site they're heavily invested in as being not in every way perfect. Certainly the idea of a heavy gender bias and a bias toward verifiers/moderators/site directors in story recognition is obvious. It's not an issue for me. I don't have an interest, which is why I very deliberately stay away from contests and competitions. But the issue exists, is readily observable, but is one which site proprietors and insiders just don't have the capacity to acknowledge or address. That's a shame.
A surprising aspect of this has been experiencing the extremity of Liz's bad behavior. I've not wanted to engage with her directly, as who knows what sort of shit-storm that would incite. And I shouldn't be surprised, as in the few months I've been associated with the site I've seen her insult and flame others with whom she disagrees. I've been on my share of sites and forums, and I've always (I can't think of an exception except here) found that those who run sites very much want civil discussion on the boards. But Liz has no hesitation in insulting and flaming and engaging in behavior that is just not appropriate. She's great with people she likes, who agree with her, and site insiders. But suggest less than perfection in her site and she really unsheathes the daggers and starts slashing. The capacity to engage rationally and reasonably with those with whom she disagrees is a tool that just doesn't seem to be in her tool box. It would be nice if she could set a better example. I understand that not everyone has the capacity to lead and lead by example.
Anyway, appreciate the response and your ideas.
you've missed a few, btw. here, i'll help you. that sprite's a total cunt-faced bitch. that should start things rolling again. 
Quote by Magical_felix
With the evidence presented here in this thread, are you really certain of that? Are you really? Are you really certain he does not have a vagina? I know I'm not entirely convinced.
Quote by LadyX
It never was like that, but if there's one thing I've figured out over the years here, is that some people seem to thrive off a "this site and it's cronies only give recognition to each other" narrative, and they push it publicly for dramatic effect (even if it's ostensibly in an offhanded, 'just throwing it out there' manner, because what good does it do to suspect some sort of cliquish hegemony if you can't capitalize on it and start an argument with it?). There's simply not enough dramatic payoff involved to simply think about it, or talk privately.
And you're right, it's hard to keep people from forming an opinion that favoritism exists. Partially because people periodically assert it publicly (with the aforementioned expectation of a drawn-out debate over it), and because it gives people something to feel aggrieved and victimized about, with the added perk of feeling like some truth-teller, staring clearly through the bullshit. Like drama, some people need that as well, and yet others appear to really need both. As with others before, this statement too comes from a lot of observation.
Quote by Mazza
You saucy minx!!!
Oh the comp?? *giggles*
Seriously though, I think it would stretch some of the really popular writers who "don't do poetry" and it would open up the whole comp thing to some really fantastic ones who only write poems...
It could be a lot of fun and of course, depending on the subject matter, rather challenging...
I think we'd see a lot of new faces in there, so to speak...
Quote by Mazza
I couldn't really think where else to put this, but I thought that as an idea for a future competition, it might be nice to have a poetry one...
It wouldn't need to run for as long as regular story competitions but I think that it would give the opportunity to a different part of the lush community...
There are so many excellent writers who submit poems, but not stories, I know that poems can be submitted to comps and have been, but I just think this would open it up and make some of our regular contributors feel more included and also give this area more reads and recognition...
Anyway it was just a thought and I wanted to voice it before it slipped my mind...
