Why would providing C+C to a non-spamfic lead to a ban?  That's what

you're *supposed* to do around here....

Yep, that's what people *used* to do some time ago, but it seems that
practice has fallen out of favour for privately emailed C&C which has lead
to the concept of "pre-readers", something that never existed before, and
something that just rubs me wrong every time I see the word mentioned. This
list was founded on the idea that everyone here is a pre-reader, to help
each other with their writing, and to enjoy each other's fanfics. There
were no other expectations. Reducing spam is always a good thing, but we've
turned away from the once very productive method of posting C&C to the

list.


This is a very noble sentiment, but the truth is that I posted 3 chapters of
"I Can See Clearly Now" and 6 chapters of "Monkey Head-Butting" without
recieving the detailed sort of criticism I've recieved since asking for
pre-readers.  It's very clear to me that a good 80-90% of the list is here
only to read stories, not comment on them or post their own.  (Gee, for that
matter, one of my best friends has joined the list for that very purpose,
and has never e-mailed me word one about my stories, although when I see him
he tells me he liked 'em.  Hi, Jeff!).

The people who became my prereaders were all people who had been reading my
story, who had even sent me short comments saying that they liked it, but...
no detailed criticism, except for a specific comment here or there.  Maybe
if I'd posted my chapters as "rough draft!  C&C required!" I would have
recieved more comments, but I prefer to send my story out as polished as I
can get it.  I want people to like my work, and I don't want to post
multiple versions of my stories in various stages of completion.

Most critics/commentators want to know that the author is going to listen to
what they say, which is how you wind up with prereaders.  You have to set
time aside to read a story and take it apart, and knowing that the author
will incorporate what you've said into his or her final version makes it
worth your time.  Posting C&C to the list, you don't really know that for
certain.

On the flip side, I haven't preread for anyone yet, but I've C&C'd a few
stories, posting the results publicly when I thought the author would not
mind.  Not everyone wants their story diagnosed before the public, of
course, but I can understand the value of other writers, especially begining
writers, seeing this sort of commentary.  However, I plan to continue to use
prereaders if I can, because it helps me make my stories better, in ways
that posting to the list did not.

One final note... perhaps part of the problem is the size of the ffml.  It's
not an intimate gathering of writers, although it may have been like that at
one time.  The way it is now kind of dictates that prereading is more common
than on-list commentary and critique.  It might be inevitable with a list of
nearly 1,000...  ?

Miko!

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather a scornful tone, "it
means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many
different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master -- that's
all."

(Lewis Carroll, Through The Looking-Glass)

Nausicaa@sprynet.com   Belldandy@angelic.com
Anime rpg at http://come.to/akane/
Fan Fiction at http://listen.to/bell/