An introduction to the message board:
The Social Board is a place to communicate with other Trixie Belden fans. Commonly, people mention book finds, how they enjoyed a story, and often post off-topic remarks.
The Debate Board is where people can ask "What if" questions and debate what they like or dislike about Trixie Belden.
See The Clubhouse for more forums.
To our wonderful Trixie friends - your help is needed!
(as posted on the Trixie Belden Message Board by April, Diann, Lynn and Cathy P.)
This board has been a huge part of our lives since that blessed day we
discovered it. It has been the vehicle for us being able to meet our fellow Trixie-philes
and become fast friends with so many. We can now proudly say we have "best
buddies" all over the country and all over the world! But we need to be careful with
each others feelings to preserve the wonderful "all for one and one for
all" bond we share. A simple reminder to "do unto others" will help. No one
likes to be ignored, please don't let someone's post hang there with no replies! Also when
replying to a post, be sure the tone is one that you would like to see as a reply to your
own post, especially when there's a differing opinion. Last, if you do have an issue or
concern, please talk it over privately with the poster, for so often, hurt feelings stem
from misunderstandings and can be worked out and feelings mended.
The third purpose is to let you how discouraged many of the fanfic authors have become
recently with the lack of response to stories. Many of us dont seem to realize how
the writers pour their hearts into their stories--working on them during their lunch
hours, early in the mornings and late at night, often taking away from their family time
to write. How writers agonize over every scene, every word, every nuance, hoping to make
things just right; spending hours on the internet, talking to friends, and discussing
points with experts just to make the stories both factual and interesting. Then finally
getting to the point of submitting it, praying as they click "Send" that the
readers will like it! Only if its happened to you can you really know how
disheartening it is that even though there are about a hundred people on the board, your
story only got a couple of responses! Each time an author realizes from the lack of
interest shown that her hard work was unappreciated, it
tears out a little piece of her heart. The sad thing is that most likely we enjoyed the
story, we just failed to let the author know.
We realize several things. One, with the influx of so many new people, a lot of new
writers came on board as well. Fanfic that used to be a once-in-a-while occurrence has
become an almost common event, so maybe it isn't quite as appreciated. Two, we all have
times when we become swamped with work at home or in the workplace and family activities
that we don't always have time to read fanfic. But when we do, please take a little extra
time to go to the board and respond. Even if it's just "Thanks for the story. I
appreciate your doing this for us. This means so much and does a lot to bond us
together. Writers, please realize that a smaller response may only be a reflection of
adult themes and the ratings factor, not the quality of your story. Everyone, please
realize stories come from an appreciation for Trixie and a wish to share that appreciation
with us, please don't ignore a story if at all possible.
We sincerely hope that this post has been taken in the way in which it was meant--that is
to bring about a sense of awareness and appreciation - to reaffirm the love of Trixie and
the Trixie spirit that bonds us together as Trixie friends. Trixie friends are wonderful!
We treasure your friendship!