Threads- how do get them? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

bilbo_baggins · 04-27-2004, 02:10 PM

In this thread, tell us how you start a thread or come up with ideas for threads, rather. There are some amazingly popular ones, and there are the ones that fizzle. How do you (the reader of this) get a great thread idea?

The Perky Ent · 04-27-2004, 04:23 PM

Well, for me, I read a post in a forum or a passage in a book that makes me ponder. It's the kinda thing that makes you wanna say "Eureka!" It just comes! However, it won't come if you are constantly thinking, "i need to make a thread" it probably won't come. I'm not saying it won't, but for me, it's doubtful.

bilbo_baggins · 04-27-2004, 07:12 PM

So, Perky Ent, you're saying that to find a thread, you have to not be looking for one?

Interesting!

The Only Real Estel · 04-27-2004, 07:15 PM

Well, kind've like Perky said, if you're just making a thread because you want to be able to say you've made one, you probably shouldn't make it

. I really don't end up thinking of many threads that haven't been done already, or that are worth their space, so I've probably only done maybe...10 total. Early on I started a couple of vote threads, those were just inspired by changes in the movie. If I get annoyed with people complaining about certain things (ie: how the Uruk-Hai breeding scene in FotR was so gross/unnecessary), then sometimes I'll start a thread on how they'd rather have done it (like I did for the scene above).
The main thing to remember is not to start a thread for the sake of starting one, if you never get a good idea for a thread, just be content to post on someone else's. Wow, that sounded a lot more like a lecture on thread-starting then how I started mine

!

bilbo_baggins · 04-27-2004, 07:26 PM

Anything about thread-starting is welcome, Estel (The Only Real). I must admit that I started this thread partly because I wanted to start one, and did not know what to start it with... you get the picture. Thus, this thread.

I hope more people are interested. Not that I don't like the points already made, but this thread looks like it could create a crowd... (I hope)

Imladris · 04-27-2004, 07:56 PM

I wouldn't say that it was bad to actually look for a reason to start a thread. Of course, one would have to do careful searching to make sure it hasn't been done. Some of my threads have been searching for topics...I'll just ponder over LotR...mull over it...think of something...search for it...find out it's already been done...realize I'm not as clever as I think I am...

*shrugs* I try to start threads that are really important...of course, I do have some stupid threads...*cough* Which is why I try to make a habit of not to make threads.

bilbo_baggins · 04-27-2004, 08:04 PM

Indeed, Imladris. Stupid threads have come from my fingers, too, and I regret them. I hope no one considers this thread to be stupid or unworthy of consideration, as it took me a while to figure out what to title it (

)

Ithaeliel · 04-27-2004, 08:36 PM

In the past, when I've thought of threads, some were random and shallow RPGs (some were good, though), some were topics like a northwest U.S./Canadian BD meeting, some were N&N chit-chat topics that got closed sooner or later by a frustrated mod... the good ones, though, were inspired by, as Perky Ent said, a fellow BD-er or something out of one of Tolkien's books. I've come up with topics that question the true nature of the immortality and relative aging of the Eldar... but in the past most of my time has been spent roleplaying, and thus I don't start too many topics.

Lush · 04-27-2004, 08:52 PM

An extremely popular thread is not necessarily any better than one where only 10 people post.

Some threads are just geared toward a smaller group of people.

The threads I started that went on for months...I wasn't really fond of them by the end.

Amanaduial the archer · 05-06-2004, 03:24 PM

Usually the other people who frequented them were though.

I agree though: some work well with a small group of people, as it allows a personal discussion to carry on the the people involved to get used to the styles of the others - this can be a good thing or a bad thing! But incredibly long threads with hundreds of participators all posting only once or twice are not, in my opinion, the best - I like it in a discussion when people back up and carry on the discussion, allowing more depth.

Well, that's the idea anyway.

bilbo_baggins · 05-07-2004, 08:51 AM

Have you seen the "Canonicity" thread lately? It is just like you were describing, Aman. No wonder it's so successful.

Quicksilver_Sprite · 05-08-2004, 12:26 PM

There was one called, I think, Titles for the Future a ways back. The topic was something along the lines of, "if you ever got a personal title, what would it be?" Got to ten pages at one point, before it was shut down for being off topic.

bilbo_baggins · 05-11-2004, 07:58 AM

How could it be off-topic? The Canonicity thread has apparently gone beyond anything reasonably titled "Tolkien" and is now something we can't label. I suggest someone read that and see what is 'off-topic' persay.

Beren87 · 05-15-2004, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver_Sprite

There was one called, I think, Titles for the Future a ways back. The topic was something along the lines of, "if you ever got a personal title, what would it be?" Got to ten pages at one point, before it was shut down for being off topic.

I did actually figure out what title I wanted on that thread, though.

When (and if) I ever post new topics, they're invariably from news sources (which tends to limit to movies, as of late). They tend to be the most analytical, for me. If I ever have Tolkien questions, they've generally been answered already, and search takes care of that.

04-27-2004, 02:10 PM	#1
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	Threads - how do get them? In this thread, tell us how you start a thread or come up with ideas for threads, rather. There are some amazingly popular ones, and there are the ones that fizzle. How do you (the reader of this) get a great thread idea? __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

04-27-2004, 04:23 PM	#2
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,314	Well, for me, I read a post in a forum or a passage in a book that makes me ponder. It's the kinda thing that makes you wanna say "Eureka!" It just comes! However, it won't come if you are constantly thinking, "i need to make a thread" it probably won't come. I'm not saying it won't, but for me, it's doubtful. __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'

04-27-2004, 07:12 PM	#3
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	So, Perky Ent, you're saying that to find a thread, you have to not be looking for one? Interesting! __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

04-27-2004, 07:26 PM	#5
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	Anything about thread-starting is welcome, Estel (The Only Real). I must admit that I started this thread partly because I wanted to start one, and did not know what to start it with... you get the picture. Thus, this thread. I hope more people are interested. Not that I don't like the points already made, but this thread looks like it could create a crowd... (I hope) __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

04-27-2004, 07:56 PM	#6
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,478	I wouldn't say that it was bad to actually look for a reason to start a thread. Of course, one would have to do careful searching to make sure it hasn't been done. Some of my threads have been searching for topics...I'll just ponder over LotR...mull over it...think of something...search for it...find out it's already been done...realize I'm not as clever as I think I am... shrugs I try to start threads that are really important...of course, I do have some stupid threads...cough Which is why I try to make a habit of not to make threads. __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.

04-27-2004, 07:15 PM	#4
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,917	Well, kind've like Perky said, if you're just making a thread because you want to be able to say you've made one, you probably shouldn't make it . I really don't end up thinking of many threads that haven't been done already, or that are worth their space, so I've probably only done maybe...10 total. Early on I started a couple of vote threads, those were just inspired by changes in the movie. If I get annoyed with people complaining about certain things (ie: how the Uruk-Hai breeding scene in FotR was so gross/unnecessary), then sometimes I'll start a thread on how they'd rather have done it (like I did for the scene above). The main thing to remember is not to start a thread for the sake of starting one, if you never get a good idea for a thread, just be content to post on someone else's. Wow, that sounded a lot more like a lecture on thread-starting then how I started mine !

04-27-2004, 08:04 PM	#7
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	Indeed, Imladris. Stupid threads have come from my fingers, too, and I regret them. I hope no one considers this thread to be stupid or unworthy of consideration, as it took me a while to figure out what to title it ( ) __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

04-27-2004, 08:36 PM	#8
Ithaeliel Cornus Caliga Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Five-hundred-twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes from here Posts: 716	In the past, when I've thought of threads, some were random and shallow RPGs (some were good, though), some were topics like a northwest U.S./Canadian BD meeting, some were N&N chit-chat topics that got closed sooner or later by a frustrated mod... the good ones, though, were inspired by, as Perky Ent said, a fellow BD-er or something out of one of Tolkien's books. I've come up with topics that question the true nature of the immortality and relative aging of the Eldar... but in the past most of my time has been spent roleplaying, and thus I don't start too many topics. __________________ That best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love. .................William Wordsworth

04-27-2004, 08:52 PM	#9
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,783	An extremely popular thread is not necessarily any better than one where only 10 people post. Some threads are just geared toward a smaller group of people. The threads I started that went on for months...I wasn't really fond of them by the end. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

05-06-2004, 03:24 PM	#10
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,365	Usually the other people who frequented them were though. I agree though: some work well with a small group of people, as it allows a personal discussion to carry on the the people involved to get used to the styles of the others - this can be a good thing or a bad thing! But incredibly long threads with hundreds of participators all posting only once or twice are not, in my opinion, the best - I like it in a discussion when people back up and carry on the discussion, allowing more depth. Well, that's the idea anyway. __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil

05-07-2004, 08:51 AM	#11
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	Have you seen the "Canonicity" thread lately? It is just like you were describing, Aman. No wonder it's so successful. __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."

05-08-2004, 12:26 PM	#12
Quicksilver_Sprite Animated Skeleton Join Date: May 2004 Location: X marks the spot! Posts: 27	There was one called, I think, Titles for the Future a ways back. The topic was something along the lines of, "if you ever got a personal title, what would it be?" Got to ten pages at one point, before it was shut down for being off topic. __________________ Proud member of the Society for Nearsighted Elves! -6.50, -5.00 Dream a dream / And see through angel's eyes / A place where we can fly away Ride with me upon a shining star, / Above the moonlit sky / We will find Elysium

05-11-2004, 07:58 AM	#13
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	How could it be off-topic? The Canonicity thread has apparently gone beyond anything reasonably titled "Tolkien" and is now something we can't label. I suggest someone read that and see what is 'off-topic' persay. __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."