How to Use Discord

1. What Is Discord?

If you’ve never used Discord before, don’t worry — you’re not alone!
Think of it as a virtual community center where we can gather, share ideas, and connect with other creative people who love the outdoors.

Discord lets us:

• Chat in different topic rooms (called channels),

• Join voice or video calls,

• And build an ongoing space where we can stay connected between hikes and writing sessions.

You can use Discord on your computer, tablet, or phone — whatever’s easiest for you.

Find the Wild Creations Community Discord channel here.

2. Joining the Wild Lines Server

When you join Wild Lines on Discord, you’re joining our private community space — like walking into a cozy cabin full of other creatives.

Here’s how to join:

1. Click the invite link you received from Wild Lines.

2. If you don’t already have a Discord account, click “Register” or “Sign Up.”

   • Enter your email, create a username (this can be your first name), and set a password.

3. You’ll get a confirmation email — click the link inside to verify your account.

4. You can now open Discord in your web browser, or you can download the app for your computer or phone if you’d like something easier to return to.

   • App download: https://discord.com/download

Once you’re in, you’ll see the Wild Lines logo on the left side of your screen — that’s our server!

3. Getting Comfortable With the Layout

Discord might look busy at first, but once you know what’s what, it’s simple. Here’s how to think about it:

• Left sidebar: the list of servers (Wild Lines is one of them).

• Middle section: where all the chatting happens.

• Right sidebar: a list of who’s online.

• Top bar: where you can find settings, search, and notifications.

Inside Wild Lines, you’ll see a list of channels on the left, each with a name starting with a “#” symbol.

You can think of channels like rooms in a house — each one has its own purpose.

For example:

• 🏡 #welcome-start-here – Start here! Introduce yourself.

• 🌲 #nature-inspo – General conversation about hiking and the outdoors.

• ✍️ #weekly-prompts – Get inspired by prompts.

• ☕ #feedback – A place to seek feedback on work submitted.

Click any channel name to “enter” that room and start reading or chatting.

4. Sending Messages & Reacting

In any text channel:

1. Click into the message box at the bottom.

2. Type your message and press Enter (or “Return”) to send it.

3. To reply to someone, hover over their message and click the speech bubble icon.

4. To react with an emoji, hover over the message and click the smiley face icon.

You can’t “break” anything by typing or clicking — feel free to explore!

5. Voice & Video Chats

Sometimes we host voice or video sessions — like a group writing session or post-hike chat.
Here’s how to join:

1. Find a voice channel in the channel list (it looks like a little speaker icon).

2. Click the name to join.

3. You’ll automatically connect — you might see a pop-up asking for microphone access. Click Allow.

4. Use the buttons at the bottom of your screen to:

   • 🎤 Mute/unmute your microphone

   • 🎥 Turn your camera on/off

   • ❌ Leave the call when you’re done

Tip: If others can’t hear you, check your device’s audio settings or plug in a pair of headphones for clearer sound.

6. Personalizing Your Profile

Click your profile picture in the bottom-left corner of Discord to open settings.
Here, you can:

• Change your profile picture

• Edit your username or display name

• Add a short bio (optional, but a fun way to share what you create or where you hike)

7. Notifications & Peaceful Use

If Discord feels too noisy, no problem — you can quiet it down.

1. Click the Wild Lines logo on the left.

2. Click the down arrow next to the server name → choose Notification Settings.

3. Select “Only @mentions” or “Nothing” to limit alerts.

You’ll still see messages when you open Discord, but you won’t get pinged every time someone posts.

8. Connecting Patreon (If You’re a Paid Member)

If you’ve joined our Wild Lines Patreon tier for paid events or exclusive channels, here’s how to link your accounts:

1. Go to https://www.patreon.com/settings/apps

2. Find Discord and click “Connect.”

3. Sign into your Discord account.

4. Once connected, you’ll automatically gain access to members-only spaces inside the Wild Lines server.

It might take a few minutes to sync — once it does, you’ll see new channels appear!

9. Troubleshooting & Common Questions

Can I mess something up by clicking the wrong thing?
Nope! The worst that can happen is you get lost — and you can always click the Wild Lines logo to go back “home.”

What if I can’t find a channel?
Scroll through the left sidebar — or use the search bar at the top.

What if I’m completely stuck?
Head to our #tech-help channel, or message a moderator (someone with a 🛠️ icon next to their name). We’re happy to walk you through it.

Discord won’t load or keeps freezing.
Try closing and reopening the app, or refreshing the web page.

10. You’re In!

That’s it — you’ve joined Wild Lines on Discord!
Take a moment to explore, say hello in the #welcome channel, and peek at what others are sharing. You’ll get the hang of it quickly.

Remember: Discord is simply a space for us to connect, create, and hike — online and off.
Thanks for being part of Wild Lines. We’re so glad you’re here. 🌿