Subject: Re: [FFML]{Ranma 1/2]Best Served Cold - revised
From: Gary Kleppe
Date: 9/13/1999, 12:44 PM
To: ffml@fanfic.com

Some quick comments based on a fast read-through of this:

The ending explanations make sense, but IMO the ending has too much
explanation. The important thing in a story is to show conflict. You did
this VERY well in the beginning, but the ending is bogged down. Perhaps
you can show Cologne finding Shampoo about to carry out the plan, maybe
under the influence of the rage vapors as well, and Cologne has to
persuade her to stop. Give enough explanation to convince the reader of
the believability of the story, but don't let it take over the drama and
conflicts.

Ranma's reaction seems a bit extreme to me, but it didn't actually
happen so it really doesn't matter. Perhaps the ancestors were showing
Cologne a worst case scenario.

Awards are nice, but mentioning it once would've been more than
sufficient. ^_^

It's not necessary to explain to the reader how *thoughts* and <Chinese>
are represented. These things should be obvious from context; if they
aren't, put in more context. (Like a 'she said in Chinese' the first
time such things are used.) Thank the kami you don't see <<BEGIN
FLASHBACK>> signs in fics these days; now if only this other silly trend
could be stomped out along with that one. :)