Helpful message boards are a godsend--it's amazing to find a community people who can help you out with problems that probably would have seemed impossible otherwise. There are plenty of helpful writing message boards that can help you find editors' email addresses, sources for stories, salary rates or advice on etiquette. However, the helpfulness of a board is never an indication of the civility of its users. For some reason, even though we all have actual lives to lead, one e-jerk can bother you in reality more than anything electronic ever should. Fantasy writer Jonathan Moeller has encountered his fair share of online crazies and has some tips at Absolute Write on how to deal with them.

If you do still find yourself being tormented by people who enjoy belittling your questions or criticizing what you do, turn off your computer and take a walk. You'll find that your imaginary friends in outer space don't matter quite as much when you're dealing with actual living human beings.

Unless of course you've having a hot e-fair with one of those people.