Like folks are sayin', the excitment level of the fandom has been decreasing rather steadily for some time now, sadly. Readership is down all over, and comments even more.

I will admit to being one of those people who generally only read fic that meets their 'shipping' requirement - simply because there (used to be) is so much fic out there that I haven't the time to spare to read it all, I just can't. So I have to pick and choose. Of course, it's getting scarcer and scarcer and I've begun to branch out in my reading to more gen fic and pre series stuff that I'm really enjoying, stories that really go back and capture what the show was like before all the 'fanon' has warped the generally percieved image of things.

Anyway, I'm straying...

Personally, I know I've been bad for feedback recently. Part of that is due to RL and that I'm just so friggen tired lately, and part of it is that I hate leaving only one line feedback, I like to point out what I liked, what I didn't, and offer encouragement and suggestions, that sort of thing. The downside of it is, I often don't have the energy at the time, and then end up forgetting to go back. Shame on me. So, in thinking about this I will adopt a new policy of at *least* leaving the one line feedback, so that an author knows I enjoyed their work. That way if I don't make it back for more indepth comments, at least I made my appreciation known. So, positive results from your post, for me at least if nothing else.

Now, I haven't had a chance to read GoY yet, but I have to tell you, the title has been in my head for days on end. I'll be working away at something, and out of nowhere, Guns of Yamenmiao will pop into my head, so rest assured that I'm thinking about it, and once I have some time I will get to reading it.

But right now, I've got to go leave some more feedback!

I would probably attribute the lack of feedback to the waning interest in this fandom. As much as we all don't want to admit it, its happening. Lots of the good writers have moved on to other things/fandoms. I'm working on several screenplays myself and briefly come up to play in another writer's sandbox when I'm feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of crafting an original story.
I'm baffled, just like many others, by some of the utter drek that is posted here and gets a lot of feedback. Mary Sue's are rampant and I just can't be bothered to wade through it all to find something good.
My only advice is that you write for yourself, not for the feedback.
I keep telling Mal4Prez (my rockin' beta reader!) that when an agent gets a hold of my screenplays, I'm going to be longing for the days where I got little feedback! :)

Please don't feel as if there's a problem with your fic because of lack of response. I, for example,though I love Firefly and fanfic awfully, have not read any for quite some time due to real life woes. I'm hoping to get some time soon to take up all the stories I've missed in the last little bit, as well as write some new ones of my own, but as for now, it's not happening for me. Your fic is on my list of "must-reads" as soon as I'm able. And perhaps others are in the same boat with me. If you like writing the story, write away! In time, people will find your gem of a tale and let you know. Happy writing, my Firefly friend!

This site has been eating stuff lately, too, btw.

And I have a few die-hard folks who comment, but mostly I chuck my stuff into the void. It is an unfortunate truth that a lot of readers are only looking for their particular 'ship (and I'm with you on the heave factor of Rayne). Plot-driven adventure that actually has an attempt at characterization is regarded with suspicion - I guess there are many who just want 'Friends'-in-space, or FF:TNG (space-spawn is another hurl-factor) But keep crafting your work - one or two dedicated and informed readers make up for the rest.

You're not doing anything wrong. It seems fan interest is waning - just look at the lack of discussion on "Better Days."

I've been plugging away at my own fic and haven't had at chance to read yours. But, since I'm at work with little to do, I'm off to read your series.

I am reading and loving. All writers want feedback, regardless if they ask or not and I for one understand that.

Steamer -

I have to admit to some guilt here. I read your most recent posting and thought it was quite good, but never got around to leaving feedback. Let me tell you now: I think you write very well. You have setting details - like the Nevada picture in your intro to the chapter. That was such a refreshing thing to me because it made the pub unique, instead of the same old generic saloon that crops up in every fic. (Including mine LOL!) Your writing has that kind of texture throughout - unexpected details - and your action is quite action-filled and well thought out.

Yeah, you seem to use great care in choosing each word, and you build complicated but easy to digest sentences, something more than: He did this. She did that. They did the other. You know how to punctuate and spell and use good grammar. All of which says to me that you're trying to *craft* something with your writing, instead of throwing plot plot plot on the page and posting it raw and half-formed.

(By the way, there are things I could criticize too, but I find that just about every time I cut loose with the critique, even if it's asked for, I end up crushing an ego or earning an enemy.... )

Anyhow. Why didn't I tell you all the above when I read your chapter? I meant to. Left your chapter open half the day meaning to get to it, as I'm guessing lots of folks do when they read fic they like. But I never got the words together.

I'm burnt out. Seriously. I was pleased to read some good writing, but I still have a hard time getting really *involved* in fic these days. I'm barely summoning the energy to get my own fic done, and that's out of stubborness more than anything. I hate leaving things unfinished!

I think a lot of the FF fic audience is worn out too, since almost every take on canon has been played out 20 times by now. It's hard to expect folks to dig through yet another long, wordy fic (I'm speaking of mine here!) covering ground that's been covered. Mal and Inara get together - yeah yeah. Mal almost dies - *yawn* Jayne gets into sex and guns - ho-hum. You know what I mean?

Oh - and why am I telling you all this now? I guess I need my own ranting time. I just posted a chapter and got very little feedback as well. Yes, it sucks. It makes me wonder, when the fics getting pages of feedback are sometimes barely recognizable as written English and far from canon. So what if the only thing the fic characters have in common with Mal and Jayne is that they say "ain't"? If they're having really hot kinky sex the fic is much beloved LOL! (BTW, I'm referring to other sites. I don't see this stuff on FFF much. Funny, nor have I seen ANY fics here get tons of feedback for a long long time. Even StA, the FF fic superstar, got barely a handful on his most recent... )

Whatever. The thing is, fanfic as a rule is not about the craft of writing, it's about extra doses of a TV show. So don't take the lack feedback as a judgement on your skill. I don't. ;) Your posting gets hits - folks are reading. Keep doing what you do, as long as it's fun. I'll do the same.

And I'll try to leave more feedback. :)

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I'm really enjoying your story. I only commented once because I could not think of anything original to say later on. Usually when I read a fic even one I like I only comment once in a while. I am just not clever enough to always think of something interesting to say.

I keep forgetting to tell you, but if you want lots o' comments, make sure to ask for feedback at the end of the chapter. Otherwise people will forget you've asked. Just because few people comment, it doesn't mean your fic is terrible.