well, I love it here too, but I'm more chiming in on posts these days then starting new threads. I think it is true that people seem to be journaling and doing less posting pieces for feedback, but maybe we should do more to encourage that? maybe a feedback marathon, where we all post new pieces and commit to commenting on at least two of the pieces that get posted? I think that people have been discouraged from posting for feedback because there isn't much feedback given these days.

is that what the books files were supposed to be like?

(it's funny, i don't think i've ever even posted a piece here! unless you count poem-a-days, which i wouldn't.)

i agree about the lack of feedback - i do think that new members sometimes try to jump in and when they don't get much response (except for a few diehard mamas, and i'm *not* including myself in that group! i am terrible at giving feedback...), they give up and go away.

for me personally, i use this place for communication/connection with other creative mamas, and also to share resources and figure out logistics on group projects that exist IRL but get created mostly by mail or email (like mamaphiles).

it's interesting how we all envision different ideals or functions for this place. i think that whatever each mama wants to do, she should do it! it's just tough to manufacture conversation. not exactly something that can be forced, you know?

the journaling thing is really interesting to me. i usually don't have the time to read 300 words but when i do pop in, it is sort of mesmerizing. there are a few mamas here who i feel like i "know" just through their journaling. some mamas do come here just for that. i kinda enjoy the non-interactive nature of it - to me, gathering the individual words of other creative mamas can turn into this expansive kind of collective unconscious thing, and i find it reassuring i guess. (i am not explaining this well at all...) but anyway, i can understand your frustration with several monologues when you're looking for a dialogue (multi-logue??).

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tenderfoot zine * mamaphiles!

I totally agree and I like it here because of all the things you said too. But I guess my point was that it can be confusing sometimes as to whether we should or shouldn't leave feedback. I get kinda lulled into a passive state and then get lazy when it comes to giving feedback.

like you might be busy or thinking of something else,

its easier to read it. but to give feedback is a little bit of a responsibility.

I feel like the people i know more, and I know they write alot, I can be harsher (blunt) in my feedback. each time I want to add "take this with a grain of salt, this is just my feedback, off the top of my head"

sometimes - I just don't read everything. not everyone can read everything posted. you can get in the mood for different kinds of things.

sometimes when I post something and I get no response -to me - that means, well what I wrote didn't grab anyone. (because *usually* I give feedback when something touched me so much I felt compelled to) so its kind of a feedback. I will scrap it - or keep going if the peice means something to ME. (forget what anyone else thinks)

it is sporadic and not perfect. but this place is good, its a middle ground. between being totally private or totally public. In writing - you need to develop a thicker skin too!

I'm not sure, if we should all commit to giving more feedback - like leaving a small comment at least about ONe thing you liked, or ONe thing you didn't like, in the piece.

OR if we should just go on as normal....

truthfully. writing and getting no response, it sometimes part of the writing lifestyle. It can be a thankless thing and you need to generate it from within. but as a supportive website - would it be better if we all tried to give more feedback? or would it be anoying and forced?

I dunno. i drank too much coffee. don't think there is an answer to that one.

I don't believe in rules!

but like, a thought, when you post something for feedback. YOu could look at everything else that is up for feedback - under that subhead, like "fiction" or whatever - and leave One positive and one constructive criticism of that piece.

I think we kind of do that. right now I'm not really posting anything for feedback cuz thats not what I need right now, so I'm not doing feedback *too* much either. sporadicaly.

ok. I guess if we want to discuss the ethics or desires of what we want from "feedback" that would be to start another thread.

I don't have time to raed everything but there are several writers I always keep up with and I try to keep up with everyone else as much as possible. I generally offer feedback when I feel I have something helpful to offer or occasionally when I just feel like complimenting something...if I don't offer feedback, it's just because I can't think of anything to change. I always welcome feedback on anything i post and would love to get more; I totally understand the time bind, though, as I have it too.

start a topic - I'll join in - talking about the creative process is always good.

I'd join in on a new topic too-- what do people want to discuss?

Is there a way to make the different members different colors? Or some way to differentiate between mamas when chatting?

Because just now, fabmujer, china and I were all chatting and it was a little hard to keep everything straight.

Sometimes paper is the only thing that will listen to you.

Nope, I just finished poking around the back end chatbox options & there were pretty much nil... :(

"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library

I know I don't always post stuff alot. but I like *knowing* this is here. I would be devistated if there was no mamaphonic. not like I think there is a fear of that. just saying..

I feel like I have a resource at my disposal, a powerful one.

i do always check in. almost everyday. I look and see what's going on. not much is hopping these days, but it doesn't bother me. I'm kinda a long standing person, writing over the longer span.

don't know if any of this makes sense.

but yes - I believe this is what we put into it. I'm not too disturbed by slow traffic, there are things, 300 words, chatt (I've actually worked on writing projects with Phoenix in chat) and keeping abreast of happenings ... there is mama creativity going on here. and I apreciate it.

Fear not! We're not going anywhere, I was just curious to see if any one had any brilliant ideas about what they might like to see. :)

"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library

I, too, would be devasted without Mamaphonic. I'd like things to be more hopping but I don't really have any ideas right now. Know this: when I get MY big book deal, I will not abandon the community!!! (just teasing, but I won't!)

well, i haven't poked around yet, which i will do, but right off the top of my head...

What potential do you see? What's bogging this place down?

i have to admit, again, that i have no flippin' idea how the books/book pages are supposed to work. i mean, i understand that mostly it's helpful from an admin POV (at least, that's what i *think* i remember hearing at some previous point), but i also remember hearing that the ability for us to collectively make those "books" was supposed to be one of the things that was going to make the new system an improvement over the old one.

IMO, a lot of what holds us back isn't really anything tech-related at all - it's just the lack of participation. sometimes when i'm here there are huge amounts of people on the site (unless that's bots?), but there's still a pretty small bunch of us who are actually posting. the more of us there are here sharing resources and commiserating, the better. not really something we can *make* happen, of course. and i have no problem at all with lurkers - it's just, you know, i wish there were more active voices, that's all.

looking on the bright side, it is really excellent having the features coming out regularly again. thank you! :)

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tenderfoot zine * mamaphiles!

Yeah, the books thing didn't work out so much like we hoped it would in the sense that you'd all be able to tweak pages & work on collaborative projects in that space. I've been using the book function to organize features for browsability later on lately. We'll see how that turns out...

Any ideas about what might bring more voices out? Things to participate in, etc?

Glad you're liking the regular features coming out (which reminds me, I need to post another one!)... People should send me their submissions too!

"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library