Hey ho,

I wrote out a much longer answer to this and, 3/4 through, deleted it.  I 
realized that I didn't have much to add to what's already been said.  In a 
way, I suppose no response is probably the most appropriate response I could 
give.  Just one things I wanted to comment on directly:

A little while back, Michael Noakes (I believe, Please forgive me if >I've 
slipped up or if I've misspelled your name) wrote a fairly long

Nope.  That's me!

I could have written back and posted a long repetition of 'Well, I'm >sorry 
you think that, but I think it's more important to write the >story the way 
I want it rather than following your advice.' Rather >than slapping him in 
the face like that, I chose *not* to be an >asshole and let his comment 
stand on its own for everyone else to >agree or disagree with.

The thing is, I wish you _had_ been an asshole--though I don't think that 
your response would've qualified you as one--and given me that kind of 
answer.  Any kind of answer, just so I could know you were actually 
_receiving_ what I wrote, would've been nice.  I mean, sure, the C&C I 
provided wasn't entirely for your benefit--I think it was largely for my 
own, giving me a chance to practice those rusty literary criticism skills I 
haven't used since university.  But at the same time, the lack of response 
left the C&C feeling sort of pointless.  There was some small FFML debate 
that took place, but ultimately my C&C was directed at you and your story; 
and the lack of response sort of felt like it undercut the whole thing.

It didn't help me much when writing the story, but I thought perhaps >it 
would help other writers. Michael has written some incredible stuff >and 
has provided some great stories and information to the list as a >whole. 
His opinions were valid and well thought out. I felt like it >would be a 
disservice to him to either publicly or privately >say 'That's nice, but it 
doesn't help me,' about what he wrote.

Thanks for the kind words, and I'm sorry the feedback I provided wasn't of 
any use.  I wish you had let me know, though.  I understand the need to find 
the path that best allows you to write the stories you want to write--though 
I'm not convinced the way you've gone is the best; especially since a story 
that you say is first and foremost meant as 'fanservice' is grounded in what 
those fans want--and I'm glad (and a little envious!) that you found the way 
to the ending of your story, and in such a short time as well.  I'll 
continue to read and hopefully enjoy whatever you put out next--but I doubt 
I'll C&C your writing anymore.

-Mike Noakes

http://www.geocities.com/noakes_m

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