StudioPC wrote:

Admittedly, I'd probably get more C&C if I handed it out, but I
really don't know much about spelling and grammer and the mechanics
to hand it out.
     

Try anyway.  One of the nice things about trying to explain to someone
else why a sentence doesn't work is that it helps you understand it as
well.
   

Hm. You make a very good point.
 

Actually, that is the *point*.

The crux of the problem is most people don't understand the point of 
this mailling list:
It's about making mistakes.

I post a story with something wrong with it (usually many things). You 
critique it, but your critique has something wrong with it. Someone 
responds to your critique with something else wrong with it. In the end, 
we discuss and make it right. The story advances and everyone benifits.

If we never did anything wrong, we wouldn't be here. We would all be 
world class authors raking in the big bucks.

I've found that there seems to be a basic mis-understanding about what a 
critique is.
Although checking my work for grammar and spelling is certainly 
necessary, the best critique I've ever gotten has been about what 
elements of my story do and don't work.

Here is a rather exagerated example:
Ranma throws off his entire male identity and marries a guy.

Right away, lots of people will jump on and say, that's not right. Ranma 
has a strong sense of his male identify. That's not canon.

Well guess what, the accomplished author will take something as 
contridictory as that and somehow make it work. If someone can make me 
believe the impossible, they've done their job.

In many cases, though, the story simply doesn't work. I do try to 
suggest ways of making the concept feasible... but there has been the 
odd time where I've had to tell someone that I simply can't critique 
their story.

That being said, I've seen people state that the FFML is a hostile 
place. I have to beg to differ.
When you post your first story, even though you try to prepare yourself 
for the critique, this is your first baby. You don't like it when people 
say bad things about it. It always stings, no matter how hard you try 
not to let it.

New authors, don't get discouraged when someone tells you your story 
doesn't work. I admit that some people's C&C can be, ahem, harsh. But 
take what you can from it and keep going.

The first C&C I ever got told me to abandon the idea. And looking back, 
he was right. It was terrible. Note that he said, abandon the *idea*... 
not the writing. Even though he said my story was unworkable, he did try 
to give me pointers on how to make future efforts bear fruit.

I've gained a hell of a lot from being here. I'd like to consider myself 
a fair writer now. Nothing earth shattering, but it sure is fun.

There's been talk about marketting the FFML and doing things that get 
people posting here.
I haven't seen a fanfic challenges in a while.
Reviving the FFML synposis seems like a good idea. Perhaps a few people 
should contribute to it so that one person doesn't get stuck in what 
will turn into a thankless job.


-- 
  ___________
 / Here lies:\  Ryougasai... the eternal lost hentai.
|   Andrew    | 
|             |
|   I think   |          Andrew Petalik
| he's hungry | Opportunity knocks but rarely. Don't let it
|             | slip between your fingers when it does.




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