Vincent Seifert wrote:

I remember reading that the FFML is a "good ole boys club". Well, it's not
strictly true. The prominent members just happen to be very good at what
they do. Although God knows just how hard it is for an unknown to get a
piece of positive mail on his writing.

I'm sorry, but I could not let this pass.  The correct answer, from recent
personal experience, turns out to be "not hard at all."

I have to agree with Vincent on this one.  Not too many months ago, I was a first-time
writer who submitted his first story to the FFML.  I received a surprising amount of email
replies that only gave me encouragement to continue writing, and to try and improve my
abilities.  Even the criticisms were encouraging because it meant that someone cared
enough about my writing to read it and offer me advice on how to make it better.  We are
all enjoyers and/or practitioners of a common interest, the fanfic.  Every story seems to
find an audience, just like it will also pick up detractors.  Speaking as one of the
newbies to writing, I can only say this, write the best story you can, and let the chips
fall where they may.

BTW, to any who are interested, Chapter Five of Quantum Destinies is finishing up the
pre-reader tour, and I hope to post by the weekend.  Chapter Six is in the works.

Jurai Knight