<snip!>

 You should see an orthopedist, Kevin.  You may have strained something by
patting yourself on the back too much.  

 I cannot speak for others, but I would like to state some of the possible
reasons for why I have posted story ideas without writing stories.  Perhaps
it is because I am a grad student who shouldn't even be spending the time I
do reading fics, much less attempting to write one, but I do not want to
see a good idea go to waste.  Perhaps it is because I may have an idea for
a fic, but I have not seen enough of the series to actually write the fic
myself and preserve internal consistency.  Perhaps it is because the story
idea is intriguing, but does not fit with the genres that I would attempt
to write.  And perhaps, just perhaps, I believe that a story idea is at the
heart of any story and is as worthy of discussion as any other aspect of a
story.  

I cannot speak for myself (except for "Thorny Beginnings" which was never
even near to being completed), but there have been many a good fanfic (and
some not
quite as grand) that originated from 'IDEAS'.  Many saw them as challenges
because
they had not been used before. 'IDEAS' spawn more fanfics that you can shake
a @bap! stick at, even when they're short story fics or ones that lead to
past greatness such as Bulwer/Lytton contests. I personally think it would
be quite
sad to see story ideas go as they not only inspire a lot of readers to
dare...they inspire them to write.  Which is the whole point of this group. 

Who can honestly say that all ideas begin in one person's head? Even Leonardo
DaVinci needed a ubject to paint "Mona Lisa"...he needed inspiration, and
that is
what story ideas lt us in on. It would not be in favor of the spirit of the
group,
or anyone that is a writer. It would kill inspiration, even if the idea was
as tacky
as a "Growing Pains/Maison Ikkoku" crossover.  One could argue that most
ideas are crap, but but you have to take the good with the bad, ne?

As for the question of spam...really, compared to the old days when spam
reached around 200+ messages a day (unless I'm missing some now) this is
nothing...you'd gain a little bit of space, but I can bet not much.  

So folks!  Stop whining about such a petty argument.  Yes, it can be spam, but
it can be so more...and you never know.  The next idea may become the next
Stephen Ratliff tragedy..but it could also be the next great (lawson) epic.

Enough from me, I'm outta here.

Later, 


     -_^ Joshua-kun ^_-
       *Joshua Seames*
        j_kun@lni.net
  ----------------------------
  Kneel before the Red-haired
       Hacker Goddess!!
         Go on, KNEEL!
  NeneNeneNeneNeneNeneNeneNene