Morgan Hudson <Dataraven_659@excite.com> wrote:
Okay...after getting only one reader to this story series (and
the rest of the series for that matter...), I am wondering if
anyone is reading this at all. If no one responds to this letter,
then Secret Games is off the list permanently so that I'm no
longer spamming your inboxes. *sigh*
Seems like someone's starting to get a little depressed about lack of C&C,
hmmm? Hey, I've been there. Somewhere during Inner Battles, if I recall
correctly...
>From the "What Is C&C" FAQ Supplement, here's a list of recommended ways
by which you can increase the C&C you receive from FFML.
Please note that this is a stock response to anyone who complains about
not getting as much C&C as he/she would like. It is not meant to be
judgemental or accusatory. A lot of factors determine who gets C&Ced,
and it's possible that someone could follow all of the suggestions below
and still not receive the desired amount of feedback; as in life, there
are no guarantees.
AS A WRITER, HOW CAN I GET PEOPLE TO GIVE ME MORE C&C?
I recommend the following:
* Do more C&C yourself. Writers remember who gave them high-quality C&C,
and will be more inclined to return the favor when they have the chance.
* Don't spam the list a lot. The people who are most annoyed by spam are
the same ones who are most likely to give you good C&C.
* Format your fics properly when you post them. That means plain
ascii-only text, with a fixed 70-80 characters per line. Trying to read
sloppily-formatted posts is a headache that many readers won't put up
with -- and if you do get responses, the bulk of them will probably just
be complaints about your formatting. Also, if you have major problems
with grammar, spelling, etc., try to find a pre-reader who will correct
your stories before you post them. Make it a pleasure, rather than a
chore, for people to read your stories, and more people will read them.
*This is something that cannot be emphasized strongly enough.* Many a
good story has gone largely unread because its author didn't take the
time and effort to make it presentable.
* When you get C&C, reply to the C&Cer. Explain which of the C&Cer's
suggestions you'll be implementing, and why the others aren't right for
your fic. Even if you're not going to use any of the advice you were
given, your reply at least shows that you gave it serious consideration,
and that will make the person much more likely to spend time C&Cing your
future work.
* Earn a reputation for finishing what you start. People are less likely
to read, let alone reply to, your current fic if your last five were
abandoned halfway through.
* If you're a new author, consider starting off with something of short
to moderate total length. Readers will be more likely to take a chance
on an unknown writer this way, and once you've shown that you can finish
what you start you can write that huge epic.
If you're still having trouble getting C&C, veteran author David Bateson
has suggested the following strategy: Find a story that seems reasonable
to you -- preferably not by a "big time" author, but by someone whose
interests seem to match up with your own story -- and send its author a
bit of C&C. Repeat once or twice, then *ASK* that author to C&C the fic
you want C&C for.
Gary Kleppe
http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics.html