Expose-Lit: Tip Guide on Talking to People

Here at Expose-Lit, we hope to give deviants opportunities to find their way within the Literature community. We all know what it is like to be “new,” to be out of the “loop,” or to wonder where to turn to for help. We also know how daunting it can be at times to feel comfortable talking to other deviants within the community. Below, you will find just a few helpful tips on how to get started.



The first thing you want to do is to get to know your Literature Community Volunteer Directors. BeccaJS, ikazon and thorns are here to listen and support you, so do not be afraid to ask questions and get to know them!

Browsing the Literature galleries and Literature news section are valuable tools for those exploring the community. Deviants will have a better idea of what activities there are and also an opportunity to read and comment on deviations. One of the best ways to get to know people is to comment on their work! 

You will see Literature deviants posting articles throughout the community that spark your interests. A majority of these relate to contests and group activity. And these dynamic deviants who you see promoting, working and actively commenting may also very well be the ones who have vast experience within the community, so they can also help you. Adding a few of them to your watch list would be beneficial.

But, you may still wonder, how do I find them?


It can be tricky figuring out who the best sources are for information within the community, depending on what it is that you are looking for and this can vary. Below, we have put together a brief list of just a few suggestions towards helpful deviants in Literature for each category as a starting point. Be aware: this is by no means an exhaustive list!

Community Leaders and Former CVs:

Halatia
nycterent
Memnalar
StJoan
fllnthblnk

Critique and General Feedback:

LiliWrites
apocathary
angelStained
PinkyMcCoversong
Amberlouie

Prompt and Group Organizers:

CrumpetsHarvey
ATrue
raspil
zebrazebrazebra
3wyl

Community News and Resources:

HugQueen
SadisticIceCream
julietcaesar
HaveTales-WillTell
linaket



It is as simple as posting a single comment! Share a common interest? Why not get a conversation started? Below, we have put together a great list of quick tips to help you do just that!

Take time to reply to your comments. Even a simple emote will do, it shows other deviants that you care enough to make an effort!

Comment on various journals. Take an interest in other deviants as people, not just as writers or artists.

Why not strike up a conversation on someone’s wall or profile? It only takes a moment or two to say hello and get to know them.

Stop by the Literature Forums and reply to threads that interest you, while taking the time to be involved.

And perhaps most important: be courteous and show a level of tact. Listen, be respectful and mindful of other’s opinions. And, if giving feedback and/or critique: if you ask, do not flame the deviant offering it to you. Use this advice at your own discretion. We all have opinions, but remember: there is always a difference between commenting and “flaming.”

Recently, there was a wonderful discussion on the importance of Breaking in to Lit, and a few of the best ways to go about it. We thought it would be wonderful to include some of that helpful feedback:

“I honestly feel like these steps [outlined in the article] fail only when the person following them is not patient...Working your way into the community takes time and effort.” – LiliWrites

“Everyone should be personable when they expect to 'break in' to the literary scene, ANYWHERE. It's only professional. I think attitude is 9/10th's of a writer. If they're going to be rude, I am not going to waste my time.” – pullingcandy

“Networking is a life skill that can be even more influential than straight-up skill.” – neurotype-on-discord

“The weird thing about dA lit is that you're more likely to attract attention by socializing than by writing very well. And at times, it's easy to overlook writers posting into the void, but it's not easy to overlook people who show up in your inbox repeatedly, even if all they say is ” – CrumpetsHarvey

“My advice to anyone is first and most importantly, write and write with the goal of writing well and constantly improving. Second, be patient, be humble, be giving and learn to receive both praise and critique gracefully. Humility is crucial when you're putting yourself out on public display asking for feedback, and when you're trying to find your place in a community of strangers.” – SRSmith

Also always remember: various forms of community feedback are an essential part of DeviantART. The more you comment the more feedback you will receive. It is about giving and receiving. We are all here to assist each other! The community is whatever we all choose to make of it, so why not make an effort right now to be a part of it and let your voice be heard? Get out there and leave a comment or two. It will not only brighten someone’s day but also quite possibly make a difference. And who knows? You might just make a new friend!



Welcome to Expose-Lit
Groups
Competitions
Forums
Chat
Critique
Daily Deviations
Community Resources
Community Projects


  
The Expose-Lit project aims to hook up dA writers who feel lost, overwhelmed or overlooked, with the literature community at large. Why not join us?