If someone messaged me and they didn't have a picture, my decision to reply would depend solely upon the quality of the message. If they wrote me several paragraphs, and they were literate and had something interesting to say, of course I would reply!

If they sent me a one-liner that was almost impossible to decipher, it wouldn't matter if there was a pic or not. *delete*

I'm not going to reply to someone who can't write something coherent, even if they are attractive. We won't be compatible, so why bother?

As far as searching for people through the search engine (as opposed to the forums), yeah, you are more likely to get hits if you have a photo. However, I've now decided that the ONLY way to find compatible people on a dating site is through forums.

Agreed. It's impossible to post a profile that will tell everyone all they could ever learn about you, and I'd rather be able to look at a profile and think, "This is a person I would like to know," or, "This person is not someone I'm interested in".

Although, I suppose that it's pretty easy to do the second part...*click* No. *click* No. *click* No. *sigh*



You would have to wonder if the person was being ironic, or stupid. It is possible to be both.

I'm Erica. I've been on this site for a pretty long time, but I'm brand new to the forums. I don't know that I'd classify myself as a writer, seeing as I don't really have the guts to share much of anything, but you guys seem like a great group!



Neil Gaiman, Douglas Adams, Haruki Murakami, Jane Austen, Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston, Rumi, e.e.cummings, Shel Silverstein, Roald Daul, James Herriott, R.A. MacAvoy, Dianne Wynne Jones, Frank Herbert, Alan Moore, Basho, and many others.

I like each of them for different reasons. In general, they all make me feel something I don't feel in my day to day life.



It's escapism and theraputic. I write purely to please myself.



I have no writing goals. As I said before, I write for myself. I have something novel-ish that I've written.



To write something. Anything. Getting something on paper (or screen) is the most important step. Even if it is horrible and it humiliates you, at least it's something to edit and work with. I would also refer them to an experienced, published writer who has been through that process more than once. I've found that most authors are pretty generous with their time and experience so long as you aren't obnoxious about asking!



I might, if I tried to force the process. I write when I feel like it. When I don't feel like it, I don't write. I occasionally go long stretches without writing anything, but I usually make up for it when I start up again.



I wish I could offer you some! I don't frequent any. Most of the time I talk with friends who also write. Maybe they get their information from sites? Perhaps I'm a second-hand mooch!



I have a good-sized list of words that I DON'T like. What do I like? Hm. Disestablishmentarianism. How's that? I also like "awkward" and "onemonepia". That one is fun to say. Words I don't like: supple, aloof, poultice, chunk, moist...the list goes on.



I think I'd like to sit down with Haruki Murakami. I'd also love to talk to Neil Gaiman. He seems like a cool guy and is very involved in helping new writers to get started.



Any time. Often late at night, but there really isn't a set time.



I used to write long hand, but I hate transcribing. I pretty much type only now.

Thanks! I decided to take your advice (and the advice of a few others!) .

Thank you for taking the time to reply You are absolutely right about my profile needing pics of me and the dogs, rather than just the dogs. Unfortunately, I don't have any at the moment. I also like the photos, and a person that I would be interested in would ideally also like the photos. Think of them as a screening test!

I do disagree that my profile is too wordy however. I wouldn't be interested in someone that couldn't take the time to read the whole thing, or someone that wouldn't be interested in doing so. It is a small cross-section of who I am and, trust me, there is a lot more than that to learn about me!

Thanks again!

Sadly, I think you are right about my not getting hits because I'm specific! It kind of goes against what I feel dating sites should be about, but you are correct! I don't mind weeding out the weirdos though. Thanks for the review!

I'm not that kind of psych major! Plus, I don't think any psych undergrad should be going around analyzing anyone. That comes with the PhD! I don't intend to use my BA; I want to go on into health care.

Hello! Thanks for replying. I'm a little confused by the way you worded this, but I think I get the jist of it. Although, are you saying I should take out what makes me weird or unconventional? I was trying to give people a truly honest idea of what I am like in the hopes that I might actually meet someone compatible. That kind of includes the weirdness!

I think you are probably right about the B&W photo, and you are not the only person to suggest that I should change it. I was thinking of just changing my photo periodically anyway. Thanks again for your criticism!

Thank you! I added the color pics later, but that is probably good advice. I've been on this site a good while, but I just really started checking out the forums. Can you recommend a better Community?

Wow. Coming from you that really means a lot! I appreciate you taking the time to review. This was my first post, before I explored the forums at all, and it sat around stagnating for a little while. Your review seemed to liven it up a bit.

You get points for having complete sentences! My only advice would be to put a bit more. Maybe describe yourself some more, and maybe put a little more about what you want in a woman. Posting more photos helps too.

In general, what you have is good, just give us more of it! Nice job!

Smile! You are a nice enough looking guy, but you don't look friendly staring at the camera. It looks like you are posing for a mug shot. I disagree that you are too young. You're 18, and there's nothing wrong with you being on a dating site.

You need to write more, and not sound so hostile. Tell people what you want instead of saying that you "don't want to deal with people's bull$hit".

Also, proofread. Complete sentences and all that. <--

I give you a 3.

Great profile! You sound like an interesting, kind-hearted person. It is very well-written (naturally, for a teacher ) and you are clear about what you want in your ideal man. I wish you the best of luck in finding him!

It's entertaining and gives a person something to comment on. You're on a roll, so if you were going to add more than go for it! Good job! Great pics too

Not a big fan of facial hair...clean-shaven is better. I'd clear off the mustache too.

Thanks, guys! I'm not brand new here, but I haven't had many hits. I was trying to figure out why. It's nice to have the vote of confindence though!

So I had this other profile, and I felt like it didn't really reflect my personality. I'm afraid I came off a little harsh with this one, and I'm curious as to what the random stranger might think. After all, it's random strangers who will be viewing it! I haven't had many hits with it; do I put people off when I ask them to write something more than a one-liner? I never know how to reply to one-liners, and I never write them myself. At any rate, please be honest!