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