• Café Life is the Colony's main hangout, watering hole and meeting point.

    This is a place where you'll meet and make writing friends, and indulge in stratospherically-elevated wit or barometrically low humour.

    Some Colonists pop in religiously every day before or after work. Others we see here less regularly, but all are equally welcome. Two important grounds rules…

    • Don't give offence
    • Don't take offence

    We now allow political discussion, but strongly suggest it takes place in the Steam Room, which is a private sub-forum within Café Life. It’s only accessible to Full Members.

    You can dismiss this notice by clicking the "x" box

Help Please! I'm New, I'm Lost

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Marta

Marta

Colony Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2025
Location
Wisconsin, USA
LitBits
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Heya! đź‘‹

I joined and have no clue how to navigate this mouse maze. I'd eventually like to meet a few authors and swap critiques but I'd really like to figure out how this site works. The forums seem straightforward in terms of discussions. But where in stars above do newbies like me start? Thanks.
 
Hello Marta!

First, go to Cafe Life (you're here already, congrats!)

Café Life

Create a new thread, select the prefix “Welcome – I’m new here” and introduce yourself! You’ll find folk will reply very nicely.

Some useful links:

How to use the Colony:

Forum List

About the Lab:

Forum List

About Huddles:

Forum List

You may find it helpful to switch views to “Forum List”, then you’ll get more of an overview. Click the button that looks like this:
Screenshot 2025-08-12 at 09-26-44 The Colony.png
 
Marta said:
Heya! đź‘‹

I joined and have no clue how to navigate this mouse maze. I'd eventually like to meet a few authors and swap critiques but I'd really like to figure out how this site works. The forums seem straightforward in terms of discussions. But where in stars above do newbies like me start? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi Marta!
Looking forward to learning more about your writing. What's your genre?
 
Checking "what's new" first always helps narrow down the day's contributions.

The "lab" is where you look to see if anyone needs anything critiqued. You'll need to contribute a few of your own before you can ask. RK is currently asking about titles for her YA there.

If you dont understand any lingo you can post for a translation. And if you have a special interest don't forget the search option.
 
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Invest in You. Get Full Membership now.
Marta said:
Heya! đź‘‹

I joined and have no clue how to navigate this mouse maze. I'd eventually like to meet a few authors and swap critiques but I'd really like to figure out how this site works. The forums seem straightforward in terms of discussions. But where in stars above do newbies like me start? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Hi Marta, I am also somewhat new. I enjoy the 'Lab' forum, where you can post your material for critique and likewise critique others.

Mark
 
Hello again @Marta

You seem to have two threads going on. That's okay - it happens.
There's some cool replies on both so make sure you check the other one too.
Hope it's starting to make a bit more sense.

Rachel :)
 
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