Ruth Sadelle Alderson

I say go for it. I've seen what happens in fandoms where the only feedback allowed is unconditional praise, and it ain't pretty.

I've come to the conclusion that honest feedback is healthier for everybody in the long run, in an emotional sense as well as an artistic one. I base this theory on the havoc that ensued when Prospect-L started up in Sentinel fandom, and on the brouhaha that occured on the Harry Potter slash list a while ago, and on my own bitchings in the Slash Hall of Shame guestbook (it was a Due South author that set me off). I think if people were allowed to feel comfortable talking frankly about things that don't work for them in fic, then they wouldn't let their annoyance build up to the point where they snap and say things that really are irrational and hurtful. And on the same note, writers could get used to the idea that crit isn't necessarily a bad thing, and maybe so many of them wouldn't take it as a personal attack, and overall they'd have a more pleasant fannish experience.

Just my $0.11.