"Freemage ." <freemage@hotmail.com> wrote:

I know, I mean, I _really_ know, that I should stop reading these posts.  
No matter what I do, I eventually run across some statement that forces 
me to respond....

You and me both, brudda...

  Now, it's true I give most of this kind of feedback in private, 
because a proofreading session is not very interesting for the other 
800+ on the list.

Sometimes I'll send stuff like that to the list, just to avoid
repetition -- so that other people know it's been done.

 But when I give "content" C&C (usually expressed in 
the general form of, "Overall, I liked it, but about this scene..."), 
I've still gotten intelligent, open-minded replies.  The only real 
flamewars I have witnessed on the list have been of the "dead horse" 
variety, such as character debates.  (BTW, Gary Kleppe, may I suggest 
that "Genre merit" discussions be added to the "Dead Horse" section of 
the FFML RG?  I suspect you'll declare that Ukyou really _is_ Ranma's 
best friend before the pro-/anti-SI types make their peace....)

The "Dead Horse" section is basically a list of the kinds of threads
that Tybalt tends to ban. There's already something like the one you're
describing in the FAQ (which is where that section is, not the RG):

     - Complaints about certain types or genres of fanfiction, e.g. 
       'Why do so many fics feature Ranma' (or Sailor Moon, etc.) 
       Everyone has different tastes, and if you don't like a 
       particular type of story, the best thing to do is simply to 
       look for something else to read.

You may have a FAQ that's not the latest version.

In addition to the possibility that the C&C help the work in question, 
there is also the issue of its usefulness to other authors.  That's the 
rationale behind my "grammar private, style/content public" approach.

Y'know, when I released "Cat's Prey" on the FFML, Mike Loader had an
objection to the premise of the fic which he voiced quite strongly.
While I ultimately ended up disagreeing with him, and while his comment
probably wouldn't have been particularly helpful to the fic if I *had*
agreed, I still appreciate his decision to share his thoughts. If
nothing else, he gave me something to think about for future stories.

Personally, I don't think there should be any restrictions on C&C, other
than (1) don't let it get personal -- attack the fic, not the writer;
and (2) stop after you've made your point. I agree with Andy Skuse; we
need *more* people doing C&C, not less.


Gary Kleppe
http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics