As someone new to this board, I would say there is much more stimulating writing discussion of all types going on here than anywhere else I can find. So the relative quality is high in this temporal plane.
As far as being a published author goes, I don't know if that is actually intimidating to anyone who doesn't want it to be. With ebooks, small press and other changes in the last 20 years, I'm not sure how many people outside the publishing industry have any idea whether being "published" is impressive or not. None of the "names" on this forum are ones I had heard about when searching for something new to read. No disrespect - it's a big world full of authors, but I certainly don't feel like I'm seeking engaging William Gibson when I pose a question.
Having read both threads that I believe are being referred to in the OP, I think the difference isn't the type of question or critique sought, but the quality of the approach to those questions. A basic question can be asked in a polite and thought provoking way, and that question should get some traffic. And a somewhat deep question can be posed by someone who isn't interested or equipped to have the discussion, and it might not be the first time. Maybe some of these interactions are case by case, rather than denoting a general condition of the forum?
As far as being a published author goes, I don't know if that is actually intimidating to anyone who doesn't want it to be. With ebooks, small press and other changes in the last 20 years, I'm not sure how many people outside the publishing industry have any idea whether being "published" is impressive or not. None of the "names" on this forum are ones I had heard about when searching for something new to read. No disrespect - it's a big world full of authors, but I certainly don't feel like I'm seeking engaging William Gibson when I pose a question.
Having read both threads that I believe are being referred to in the OP, I think the difference isn't the type of question or critique sought, but the quality of the approach to those questions. A basic question can be asked in a polite and thought provoking way, and that question should get some traffic. And a somewhat deep question can be posed by someone who isn't interested or equipped to have the discussion, and it might not be the first time. Maybe some of these interactions are case by case, rather than denoting a general condition of the forum?