I originally sent in essays and poems when Dotsie put out a call for writers. Then Dotsie emailed me to join the forums. Because I have no kids, no pets, and I'm not really mainstream -- I didn't post much at first because I wasn't sure what to say.

Sometimes I miss large chunks of time due to work or other issues. When I have migraines, I lurk but don't say much because everything is too loud or bright.

I don't know if I'd be considered a lurker or not. When I first joined up (checked out the site after seeing a mention of it in our local newspaper) I wasn't shy about posting right away. I used to belong to Hystersisters and was used to posting on message boards, knew from my experience with that the great friendships that can form and the support that can be found in places like this.
These days I check in here every day to see what's happening, but I go in spells with posting -- sometimes I post a lot but then I'll go for what seems like months just reading and not responding........mostly because I'm either short on time or just don't feel like I have anything to add at the time. Does that qualify me as a lurker?

Good to see you crossstitch. I thought of you when sticking my magnets to the fridge! They're so cute.

Thanks for sharing all the scoop about lurking, posting, how long it took you to join, and how you learned about us.

Due to some of the responses about the word lurking, I looked it up and it's a bit harsh. It actually means - to lie concealed, as in ambush. Wo, not exactly what I meant when I used the word. I simply meant reading and testing the waters, gathering information, but not posting.

Due to the number of hits we receive at BWS, we know a tremendous amount of reading and not posting goes on behind the scenes. I'm totally cool with that.

Maybe another question could be - what made you jump in?

I know there are many reasons women don't post. Some have to do with sharing information online, period. Others have to do with feeling like they aren't a good enough writer, speller, etc.

Please, to those reading and not posting, we do not check for grammar or spelling. There are no red pencils here at BWS.

I am not a lurker.

I found NABBW through an AARP bulletin, as others have. I was lonely - my Dad had died and I had no real friends here - and I was finishing my book and didn't know much about the Internet. I saw so many interesting posts and threads I couldn't resist joining. I was welcomed and didn't feel alone anymore, more like family.

I don't make it here every day, but I'd like to.

You are so right, the word LURK gives one a feeling of being insulted. And we certainly wouldn't want to be guilty of that now would we? Its funny how some words can have so many meaning and yet some just the one.

Does anyone here remember their very first post on BWS? I have been trying to but haven't a clue as to mine...

chatty, click on your name in a post and you'll see a drop down menu. There is one that says veiw posts. You can see ALL your old posts including your very first one. Have fun.

Oh wow, how cool is that? Going there now! Thanks Dotsie.

Aha! Found it. I introduced myself saying I had a Cookbook and book of Erotica out and since most times a writers needs another income to make ends meet, I also work as a telephone actress.
Candice and Meredith were the very first responders to my post asking what a telephone actress was, and so it began!!!

I dropped my resume off at the Council on Aging today and got to talking with the (older) woman at the front desk. Wouldn't you know it, somehow I mentioned NABBW and BWS and we talked and laughed and she wrote them down and we may have another guest soon.

chatty, wow, that was a long time ago. Candice hasn't been around in years. She's the mother of the little one you made the poncho for.


Saundra, thanks for spreading the word. I hope you find a job soon. I heard on the news that unemployment in Baltimore is worse than it's been in 15 years.