[FFML] A thought on the future of the FFML

[Neko-]

Delurking :) Just tossing some thoughts into the pool here. 

Signed up for the FFML a looooooooooong time ago (can't even remember when),
to keep up to date with certain fics that were posted to the FFML. While
I've been told I'm quite creative, I never have had the drive or will to
actually write a story. Mostly since most anything was a repeat of an
earlier original idea, or I never got further then the basic introduction to
the story, but ran into a wall when I needed stuff to progress the story. 

Also, since a while ago I've dropped away from anime fanfics, and anime is
also pretty low on the list nowadays, which took away my interest in reading
stories that were posted to the FFML. Heck, about the only one I have been
collecting (not reading mind you) is the Quantum Destinies one, which I have
read in the past. I'd need to re-read that beast of a story to make heads of
tails of the newly posted chapters probably. So that explains I haven't been
keeping up with the posted stories too, and hence explains my not really
posting to the FFML. 

The worst part about e-mail in my book is that I usually delete e-mail after
I'm done with it. On a website I get a notification in the mail, but that
notification can be deleted while still retaining my access to the story.
FFML posts that were made last week aren't in my mailbox anymore.

That said, the FFML at present is a bit of an underground list. A lot of
people that read fanfic are probably not even aware of it's existance. I'd
have to look up exactly where on the web those instructions are :) Then
again, a lot of people don't get beyond FF.net for that matter. And while I
concur that FF.net gives you feedback, or atleast readers (and thus
exposure), I've found that most feedback given isn't really substantial.
FF.net hosts a lot of comments to the effect of 'cool story', or 'write
more', with little to no indepth commentaries. And I did see that in the
responses on the FFML. 

While I do see the merit for some website like FimFiction for the FFML
itself, I have to agree with the previously posted comments that certain
features that the FFML was known for would have to be implemented. And that
brings out the post that Brian Neef made: a lot of points that really need
considering, and which may or may not provide a means to actually go ahead
and implement the whole deal. 

Using social media for this doesn't sound like a good idea. While a lot of
people do use social media or at least regularly scan it (I'm one of the
latter) the layout and format doesn't lend itself all that well to reading
bigger chunks of tekst. You might want to use social media as a means of
exposure, but I doubt it would work well as a primary platform for enhancing
the FFML as it is today.

But I'm not sure if there is a need or requirement for a site next to FF.net
to host fanfiction. I'm not even sure there is a need for enhancing
commentaries on stories. How many people have complained about not having
enough room or a means of discussion to further a story on FF.net? About the
only real complaint I've heard about FF.net is the formatting being screwed
up. 

And even then you could still opt for some kind of symbiotic relationship
with FF.net. Leave the stories (and exposure) there, but create a site that
refers to the stories, and allows for comments to be made, and discussions
about those stories to be spawned. Tho this is also dependant on FF.net for
allowing that. 

Like I said, just some thoughts about the discussion. 

Neko-