Subject: Re: [FFML] [rant]On C&C, and how ya do it.
From: elewyiss@earthlink.net (Combat Flower-arranging and Martial Arts Cooking obstacle race champ!)
Date: 7/19/1997, 11:21 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com

RPM and Gary Kleppe wrote:

ON WHAT THE WRITER WANTS:
NOBODY wants to hear #4.
The C&C that dreams are made of are made of #1-3
The very least one can ask is for #1
Getting #2 can almost be as depressing as #4, so please, even
 if it's short, do #1 AND #2.
I have to disagree here. As a writer I want to hear whichever of these
corresponds to the reader's true opinion. If I write something based on
an idea that's been done to death already, or is for whatever other
reason not worth doing, then I WANT people to say "This sucks. Write
something else." I won't necessarily agree, but I do need to know if
people think this.

I have to disagree with you at least in part, Gary.  A response along the
lines of "Your story is awful, and you're a terrible person for writing
it," counts as a flame in my book.  I don't want flames (and I've had my
share)!  I do, however, sincerely appreciate C&C that says, "I didn't like
your story, and here's why."  The difference is the *constructive* value of
the criticism.  If it's meant to point out areas that need improvement, it
will make the author a better writer in the long run.  Simply saying, "This
story sucks!" doesn't do anyone any good.  Even if the story did suck, the
C&C'er should be able to elaborate enough on where he/she thinks the story
went wrong to turn it from a flame into a constructive criticism.  That's
just my very humble opinion, of course.  Some of the best C&C I've seen has
been from people who didn't like a story, but took the time to point out
what they thought was wrong with it.


"I liked your story" C&Cs are meaningless IMO unless they only get sent
when the reader really DOES like the story. I always say in my fics that
ALL honest feedback is welcomed -- and I mean it.

And I want honest feedback, too, but I don't see why it can't be
constructive. The idea is to encourage the authors to improve, not crush
them so they never write again.  A lot of us can be very sensitive, you
know! ^_~


And most importantly, people, support your favorite fanfic writers.  Some
quit just because of the silence, and that's a shame.
True. But not just your favorites. First-time writers need support even
more.

We all need it!

^_^

Cindy