If you stop writing CMD, I'll personally come over there and flog you upside
the head with Ryoga's umbrella! <grin>
I think what happens is that usually a person will write a reply on the
first few chapters to offer encouragement and critique etc. After the
person's got several chapter's going, it's pretty much assumed that the guy
knows what he's doing and that he's set on churning forth more, and thusly
assumed that he doesn't need encouragement etc etc. Ladies and Gentlemen of
the jury, this is a serious misconception. The more encouragement, the
merrier!
Of course, shyness plays another factor. I do recall that when I posted some
C&C to you that I felt like I was trying to tell William Shakespeare how to
write plays. There is some shyness that one feels when offering comments or
suggestions to someone who seemingly has LOADS more skill than they do (or
feel that they do). What some might not realize is that perhaps that writer
may not even realize that people regard his/her work as highly as people do.
Heck, when I'm looking for writing style pointers I usually look to -your-
work for examples.
I try to make it a general rule that if I read a story and enjoyed it that I
write a letter to the author letting them know that their work was read and
appreciated, and also I offer some critique if I feel it's nessesary. It's
the only way to let the guy know that people actually DO read their work...
and golly gee, I find that usually they end up churning new chapters quicker
that way too! Hmm... go figure! <grin> This certainly was the case with one
of my crossover stories. I had written it simply on a whim, yet had I not
gotten the flurry of responses that I had, I would have ended it right then
and there.
As for C&C, I was halfway through doing some C&C for your latest chapter of
CMD when Win98 (bless you, Bill Gates) decided to take a cute little crash
on me. After I rebooted, everything I had written was lost. Out of
frustration (or perhaps laziness) I pretty much put it off, however I found
that, aside from a few rare typos and an issue I wanted to bring up in
regards to the Sanma/Ukyo scenes, the chapter was pretty solid.
-Troy
I'll back this up. I've been getting less and less C&C on Childhood of
Modern Dynasty lately. If it wasn't for readers commenting on the RAAC
postings (occasionally) I'd have to assume no one was reading anymore.
There are times I wonder if I should even write the additional books. So
far I'm planning to... but encouragement always helps. :)
C&C on Garden of Eva goes in spurts, but even it is getting lets C&C
lately. I expect major C&C on 1:8 because I'm really screwing things up
in it. :)
As for responding to C&C: I try to reply personally, but can't always do
it. I do put their name in the final product (unless I forget) and I hope
the people I can't reply to personally understand.
If not... screw them! :) Just kidding.