From: "mo-tink-ing" <mbarker@MIT.EDU>
Subject: FILLER: Expectations...
Date: Thu, 09 Mar 1995 12:32:03 EST

You saw a notice somewhere.

A WRITERS list?

WOW!

and you signed up.

(some people doing this, some people doing that, I think I'll send a
one-line response here, how about a one word quicky,
zip-zam-chatter-chatter...EXCITEMENT!!!!)

or maybe

(???I really wanted to discuss characterization in fiction.  But
everyone seems to just be chattering about stuff, so I give up...???)

!SSSSSSSSSS-uuuuuuuuuu-STSTSTSTSTST! (*a whistle blows on the play*:-)

slow down.  there really isn't any hurry about responding, and I'll
respect you more in the morning if your postings show a little bit of
thought and effort put into the writing.

(but, but, you do it too!)

yes, I'll admit, I've done my share of quicky quirky posts.  and I'll
probably do some in the future, too.

(so we all goof off...what's the matter with that?)

well, I think it's worth some effort to keep a balance on postings.
the occasional piece about writing, the odd little poetic bellyflop,
even some stories...maybe a crit here and there?

we've talked about a 50-50 rule.  the self-imposed discipline of being
sure that for every "chatter" posting, you also post a "WRITING"
posting.

Nikki did the OWC (Obligatory Writing Comment) trick with her
postings--she tried to always provide some Writing content.

Think about the neighbors before you flang your elbows out all over
the bar...

(that's still going to be a lot of mail on the list...)

Before posting, I try to consider whether the response should be on
the list or off the list.

spend a little time learning how to send mail directly to the author
and to the whole list...then practice careful posting.  the pride you
save may be your own...

(sometimes I get so hot to answer, right now, here, quick...)

delay your posting.  the firstest is not the mostest here--make sure
what you send is really ready for 350 plus strangers to read...

(alright, some of us are stranger than others.  you gonna hold that
against me?)

no, not really.  I do think it's a good exercise for writers to
realize that every posting IS WRITING.  

think about your audience.  think about how to get them interested,
keep them interested, and make them go away feeling as if they had
enjoyed communications--not simply been blasted with wastebits...

(oh.  so...)

Write!
tink