Subject: Re: [FFML] Is Public C&C a lost art?
From: Angus MacSpon
Date: 8/24/1998, 2:01 AM
To: Andy Skuse
CC: fanfic@fanfic.com

I think that maybe the idea of having pre-readers seems a lot like washing
your dishes before putting them in a dishwasher to me. But hey, *this*
dishwasher (the FFML) does actually work!

Oh, how I wish that were true.  But the reality is, unless your 'fic is a
Ranma one, you're unlikely to get much response, as far as I can tell.  Even
my most trivial Ranma spamfics have gotten me more comments than I generally
get for "Sailor Moon 4200."

I went without pre-readers for a long time because I was hoping that the FFML
would provide the kind of criticism I was after.  But the truth is, I seldom
got anything.  So when I started getting thoughtful, extremely helpful comments
-- from someone who read my stuff off the newsgroup; she isn't connected to the
FFML -- I asked her if she'd keep it up.  The result has been dramatically
helpful.

I have no intention of leaving the FFML.  There've been a number of times
when I've had valuable feedback from its members.  But still, for it to be
useful, people do have to make an effort.

... And I have to admit that I'm somewhat lax in that regard myself.  I do
send comments on occasion, so I don't think I'm entirely dead wood, but I
think the appropriate grading would be "must try harder" ...  :)

Angus

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angus MacSpon                                                Allen Gainsford
http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/          http://shell.ihug.co.nz/~macspon/