Actually, now that I think about it ... other than making royal
pests of themselves -- thus causing any reasonable being to simply delete
any mail from them without reading --  what exactly *can* the various
Taskmasters do to speed up a slow writer?

	Am I missing something, here?

Not really.  Those who have not been inducted into the role of the
Taskmaster fail to realize the importance of our jobs.

Taskmistresses and Taskmasters hold what I consider to be the most important
job in the writing process.  That is, to say, we *remember* that you write.
I can't
mention how many times I've seen promising works of fanfiction that have been
abandoned or just lay desolate on the roadside.  We *remember* that your
work is there, and it is our job to remind you that you have a great fanfiction
idea that you're not doing justice to.  Like for example, "Anthropod Antics"
is a wonderful fanfiction story that was posted to this list last summer.  I
happened to revive the author's interest in that fic by just mentioning that I
missed it and wanted to see it continued.  

Secondary to us remembering that you exist is that we are here as sounding
boards, too.  I've had numerous talks with fanfic writers who were stuck for
ideas and I've helped them along.  I even got HTG to diagram out what he wanted
to do with "The Price of Victory" not that he's writing much these days anyway.

And thirdly, we do entertain, but only in a cartoonish way.  If we were to
meet you
in person, we probably wouldn't fry you with cattle prods (although it is
tempting
from time to time).  But we would react to you in the same way we do here,
with loving
support and a fondness to see you keep up with your writing.

I hope this clears up alot.


Foxtrot the Furryous, Chief Benevolent Tasmistress from Hell, retired.