Gary Kleppe wrote:

It all comes down to this: If you can't say anything nice, don't say
anything at all, or else send it to the person privately.

I don't see that you've got anything to be sorry about, but I would
like to hear other peoples' opinion on the general question here.
What kind of criticisms should be posted to the list?

I actually find myself disagreeing with Marisa on this.  Posting stories
to the FFML implies that you want C&C.  If you didn't want C&C, after
all, you would just post to raac.

C&C means *all kinds* of C&C.  Good and bad.  Some will like it.  Some
will hate it.  You have to be prepared for everything.

I posted a story a couple months back called "Interview".  It had some
horrible problems. People were not shy to tell me that, for which I'm
grateful.  I revised it extensively, and was much happier with the
second version (as was the FFML, generally).

So, for me at least, I take negative C&C constructively, and use it to
better my work.  I don't take it as a personal insult.

The FFML should not be regarded merely as another place to post stories,
I think.  It's used by authors, for authors, to help each other better
their works.  Posting a story gives others license to say whatever they
want about it on the ML.

That is, of course, my opinion.  I do want to say that I'm grateful for
this ML; it's been a wonderful place where I've learned a lot about how
to write effectively.  I would never have learned those lessons without
all of the feedback I've gotten - good and bad.

-Richard
sterman@sprynet.com

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All my fanfics can be found at:   
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/sterman/fanfic.htm
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