On Fri, 18 Dec 1998 20:39:07 -0600, you wrote:

I think it's obvious that the reason people aren't getting C&C is that
the majority of authors don't bother to DO C&C -- or only do it within
their little cliques. A story doesn't have to "inspire" someone to
comment on it -- if it doesn't inspire you, figure out why that is and
you have something to comment on.

Look, with 300-400 pieces of mail coming into my mailbox every day,
and Real Life besides, I rather have to pick and choose what I comment
on and what I don't.  The ones I pick are going to be, of course, the
ones that I'm interested in.  The others simply get a quick trip to 
/dev/null.  Why should I go through my burgeoning mailbox making some
comment on every fic that arrives there?  Do _you_ comment on every
fic that _you_ get?  If not, why not?  How do you choose which ones to
comment on and which ones not to? 

I'm not saying that everyone should C&C every fic. But every author
who wants C&C on his or her fics can do SOME -- even if that means
reading something they otherwise wouldn't have. AFAIK, you aren't
writing any fics, so I wouldn't put you in this category, but IMO
authors who want C&C should obligate themselves to do unto others.

Anything that will potentially result in an improvement in the fic is
'constructive', even if it is harsh.

I think you've basically just said that Gubby-esque critiques are
sometimes necessary.

What I'm saying is that sometimes they might be the only thing a
particular reader has to say, and I personally would prefer an honest
gubbing to silence.

The rest of this I'll answer on the SPAM list, as I'm sure the FFML
doesn't want these old arguments dredged up.


Gary