RPM - acct 3/5 wrote (in part):

Mike Loader, along with Susan Doenime, has been writing one of
the most original and well thought-out stories I've ever read,
'Ill Met By Starlight'.  It's dark, sharp, and at times it's
very chilling.

It's also gotten zero response from this list.

This is a great shame.

I agree with you that Ill Met By Starlight is one of the great
Ranma stories.  Whenever a new part comes out, I save it
and read it when I can.

I blush to admit that I haven't actually taken the trouble to
respond.  This is very remiss of me.  How can I expect people
to respond to my writings -- and they do -- if I don't myself?
The FFML is a society of give and take, and for me, for a
while now, the relationship has been a little one-sided.

I could plead burn-out and pressure of work, but how much
effort would it have taken to drop a quick line, saying, "I
read the story and enjoyed it."  Not as useful as true C&C,
but fan mail has its place in encouraging an author.

So.  Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Normally I would send this missive in private, but I felt that to
admit fault in public would be good for both me and the FFML.

So let me begin a new leaf by saying, to Mike, Susan, and anyone
else who's made it this far:  I very much enjoyed IMBS 7.  I read it
when it came out, and apologise for not responding before this.

While I regret that I have no specific C&C to offer, I can say that
this is one of the few darkish stories that I enjoy.  The writing is
always at least good, and the plot carries me along.  There are
never any technical problems in IMBS, and part 7 is no exception.
The vision of Ranma expounded in this series is interesting and
compelling, though I would not want to see it become general
in fan-fiction.

I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, for an explanation for
the state of the IMBS Ranma to be made.  Every now and again we
get dribs and drabs, and the romantic in me keeps hoping that Akane
will help reform him and thus prevent his death.  Ranma may be a
superman, but he is as vulnerable to sneak attacks as anyone else.

So, Mike and Susan, thank you for what you have done so far and
please, pray continue.  I await the next part with interest.

--
David Eddy -- Senior Consultant, Progress Software Melbourne
dje@progress.com

Screening Coordinator, Melbourne Anime Society
My fanfics are achived at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/8341