At 04:19 PM 8/22/97 -0500, you wrote:

Mark Page wrote:

I find the problem with sending C&C, as opposed to receiving it, is not
really knowing what to say once you've read a fic.  Some fics that have
atrociously bad spelling often come with the byline that they are first
drafts...  So one can barely complain in that kind of situation....  And
defining quality of story and characterisation has never been my strong
point....

	Here is where we differ. I find I rarely if ever give spelling or
grammer corrections to stories. I don't feel qualified and, having the
atrocious English habits I seem to have picked up, would feel awfully
hyprocritical even mentioning most of them. I WILL try and suggest where
more UMPH can be given to a statement or where a sentance can be made
clearer. Most of my C&C is based on story elements. I like to find what
is "missing" in a story and try and let the author know. Whether it is
plot development, humerous or inventive scenes that could be capatilezed
on or general misscarriage or missuse of characters. (No, I don't
generally hoist the flag of OOC, but I do try and note when possible
sides to a character are either not being explored or if the character
has attained a two dimenstional status)

On top of that is the sheer number of fics that get posted.  I don't always
have the opportunity to read one day's worth of postings....  And sometimes
one week's worth....  Let it slip like that and you end up with so much
stuff to read you get turned off at the thought of it.  

	My current backlog of fics number 1432! I work a five 10-12 hour shift
week and most of my off days is spent sleeping, still, I try and read
what I can.

Even worse, a lot
of it is still Ranma and Sailormoon stuff (although its branching out now)
so you get a little tired of the same old stuff being trotted out again and
again.

	No comment, but I do find it easier to read a series I know, almost by
heart now. I don't need extensive background on the players and I KNOW
when somethings out of place.

I'll give C&C to a fic that I regard as having qualities that demand it, on
top of which is the motivation to do so.

	But, if you only give advice to the perfect, what do they do with it?
If you only heal the well, how are you helping the sick? I find it's
better to openly grab a fic, ANY fic and then go to work on it. If it's
bad, maybe you can help it get good. If it's good, maybe you can help it
get better. If it's GREAT, you had fun reading it, now go smooze and see
if they'll preread your stuff. ^_^

The "perfect" don't always demand a response.  Its the flawed that demands
the responses.  That's what I meant about a fic having the qualitites that
demand c&c....  I feel there is no point waxing lyrical for ages and ages
about something I like.  It is far easier to pick the eyes out of something
that is not going well....