Warning-- This post be taken as a semi-rant itself.

Dustin Goeller wrote:

What I am about to say is probably going to get a lot going to make a
lot of people angry at me. Fortunately, most people are probably away
visiting their friends and family, and only a small number will ever
see this.  But, just as a word of advice to those who have nothing
better to do than to read my mindless rambling, all of this is
strictly MY OPINION! And as with many of my opinions, it's probably
wrong.

Now, many of you often complain that no one EVER responds to any of
the fics you post on the FFML. Well, there is a simple reason for
this. Your writing is, to put it bluntly, boring. Not so much boring
as in dull, but boring as in being plain and standard. With so many
fics being posted to the list now, unless a fic really stands out, not
too many people are going to respond to it. In fact, a lot may not
ever read it...

Quite.

This is somewhat true, admittedly.

And especially for Ranma fanfiction - if you think of an idea, chances
are it's already been done.  Several times.  And when the writing is
dull and the scenario old and tepid and oh so predictable, people just
won't bother reading any further than the first couple of sentences,
unless they have everlasting patience.

Sure, but how often does writing sink that low? On the FFML, not too
often.

Look at the fics that have gotten a lot of attention. Take for
example, the infamous "Bitter End," written by Zen. This fic became
popular not only because it was VERY well written, but also because it
had gone where other fics wouldn't dare to go. And thanks to Zen's
rebelliousness, "The Bitter End" has arguably become the standard to
which all 'dark fics' are measured.

Yes, it was well written.  But the main reason it got a lot of attention
is because where it went it was very controversial.  As Caroline
Seawright said, 'It's only stories with icky bits that people really
respond to.'

I beg to differ. Ed Becerra's excellent Legion's Quest series gets
responses just as much as Zen's work. It's not the controversy, that
much is obvious. And you'll note half the responses are sent EXACTLY
as WWolf asked (I believe), and that's via PRIVATE EMAIL.

Of course, it helps to have superior writing ability. (It also helps
to have notoriously BAD writing ability. Look at all the commotion
'Mr. Thinker' has caused.) Many fics have become list favorites simply
because they were written so superbly. But, the majority of fics, at
least the majority of fic I'VE read, have been, in my opinion, above
average when it comes to writing.

And Dustin, we all have seen your attitude before. Were you not the
same man who in #fanfic caused problems? I would be more than
willing to call this a simple case of misplaced ranting, except for
my past experiences with you.

Am I saying that those who can't stand out should just give up and
quit fanfiction? Of course not. And even if I WERE saying that, it
should be up to you to write. There is a LOT of talent on this list.
Everyone (or most everyone) here has the ability to write a ground
breaking work of art.  But, unless they realize how they need to
improve, they will be stuck in the annals of standard fanfare forever.

Anyone can improve, but I don't see how you can get off telling EVERYONE
on the list that they're not that good. I could name a good number of
EXCELLENT
authors on the list: Biles, Palmer.. I could go on for quite some time.
However
I've made my point.

I have noticed that lately, quite a few of people have given up
fanfiction and moved on. I, for one, have pretty much stopped reading
fanfiction all together. It no longer interests me. It seems that
whenever I start reading a fic posted to this list, I feel although
I've read it many times before. I often wonder if I am the only person
who feels this way. Perhaps I've just "out-grown" fanfiction? Perhaps
I am just a twisted SOB with no life? Who knows?

If you've 'outgrown' fanfiction, then just WHAT the HELL *ARE* you doing
here?!
You're only pushing your opinion onto us, and that opinion DOESN'T MATTER
if you're not going to read Fanfiction anyway! And what pure bullshit is
this about
a lot of us moving on? Where do you get your numbers? Show me your proofs.

Well, maybe we're the only two people who feel that way.  ^_-

I feel you're misguided on this issue, but I won't tell you how to think or
feel.
I only hope you see my points.

The main problem, as I see it, is oversaturation.  Since I started
reading fanfic in mid 1995, the main type of fanfiction I've read is
Ranma fanfic.  These days however, it seems there are no (or very few)
new concepts in Ranma fanfiction.  Though are the few gems, such as
James Champagne's 'Mobile Delivery System.'

I've been on the list off and on since the test messages at the beginning.
Yes,
there is a lot of Ranma 1/2. Oversaturation? Not QUITE-- hasn't anyone
noticed
that Ranma fanfiction has begun to die down a bit lately? And WHY is it that
you
seem to not want to notice the excellent Sailor Moon, Bubblegum Crisis, EVA,
etc fics being posted?

I can't however comment on oversaturation in fanfiction of other series.

Oversaturation has only happened once before, to my knowledge. That's the
Dirty Pair, early 1990s.. if I'm correct. Anyone wish to comment?

John 'Firehawke' Peasley

PS.

I apologize if it seems I'm ranting myself. This topic just rather annoyed
me
to the point of having to say SOMETHING.