----- Original Message -----
From: Larry F <lwf58@earthlink.net>
To: TimeRunner <keiichi@i-manila.com.ph>
Cc: FFML <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2000 4:36 AM
Subject: Re: [FFML] [fic]What Wish? 4/10
Here's an answer to this. Hopefully, this will be of help to someone!
<snip>
That's a given, actually. Usually, the best chances of C&C for a
long-running fic series is if:
a. It has controversial elements.
b. It's extraordinarily funny.
c. It's extraordinarily depressing.
d. The author hasn't written a chapter for a long time, and the series
is popular.
Uh... so where do I come in?
The way the system works best:
1. Introduce the series to the FFML at large; if it generates
commentary, fine; if not, there are methods set in place to get C&C from a
regular group. Check the FAQ for that.
Odd... I used to know this stuff. :)
The Golden Rule: ALWAYS reply to anyone who sends C&C to you! Even if
it's just a one line "this is great, keep it up" kind of message, you
should
seriously consider at least sending a quick "thank you" note. If they
take
the time to send a reasoned, detailed commentary, then reply in kind.
Two things that are guaranteed to dry up C&C is to either not reply to
comments at all, or to reply and say "thanks but no thanks; my work is
perfect and I'm not changing a thing". I definately have a list of people
who I won't C&C because they did one of those two things, and every
serious
C&C'er I've spoken to so far has a similar list. No one wants to waste
time
on an ingrate.
Absolutely.
2. Find some pre-readers. Try to get as many as possible, because
some
of them won't stay on or prove timely or reliable. You'll need a pool of
pre-readers, so that you will have a few good ones when the dust settles.
Pre-readers will be your most important source of meaningful commentary as
the fic develops, and a good one will stick with you for the long haul.
Er... I never got any regular pool of prereaders because, frankly, I don't
write that regularly, and I think it's a bit of a drag to have to wait for a
writer who can't get his act together on schedule.
3. Once you and your pre-readers reach a consensus, post the next
chapter to the FFML. If it gets more comments, fine; if it doesn't,
that's
okay too. Once you've gone over the fic one last time, taking into
account
any additional comments you may have gotten, it's ready for general
distribution, so:
4. Post the fic on the rec.arts.anime.creative usenet group. More
people read the group than subscribe to the FFML, and it's the place for
semi-finished or finished works. That'll be the final chance for
comments;
it'll also be stored for an indefinite term in the RAAC archives. After
that, it's purely up to you to make changes on your own to tweak the
story.
If you make a major change, then it's back to step 1!
I don't like posting on RAAC until I've either finished a series or have
made the final revision on a one-shot (and, as those who sifted through the
many revisions of Closing the Chapter will note, that may take a very long
time).
A strong suggestion: if you have a web page of your own, keep all of
your back chapters there so people can read them. If you don't, then
there
are a number of people with fan fiction sites who offer to host stories
for
you (me, for example!). When and if you have a web site to show your
stories on, always add the address to the site either in your story
heading,
or in the signature block.
Thanks for the comments, but my fic is perfect and I'm not changing a thing
:)
Joking aside, this is a good, well thought-out piece on how to generate C&C
for a fic. I'm sure this'll be helpful to all the writers out there who seem
to be having trouble finding a niche. This really is how the system usually
works, and it's good that someone finally posted how to do it.
Thanks again for writing in!
=====
w.o.d.
TimeRunner's Web Page:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/7482
=====
"Most people who want to be writers don't really want to be writers. They
want to HAVE BEEN writers."
--- James A. Michener