As well, there was also some discusssion on the mbs about the characterization of Clark Kent in that story so it's not just the ending that can influence readers.
I'm sorry, Carol, but I don't recall that particular discussion.
I do recall, however, the discussion Roger has mentioned.
But I think Carol has made an excellent point about judging a story without having read it. I know for a fact that she did not read BL, however she has clearly formed an opinion about it based on what she interpreted from the MB comments. That could be one of the worst situations for a story, IMO. Non-readers who do frequent the feedback sections and formulate opinions based on information given out of context of the big picture, the story as a whole. Too, it seems like a good bit of hearsay to comment on a story - or rather, comment on the comments of a story - when you haven't read it yourself. It would be like me telling everyone that a story is really horrible based on the negative feedback of a few people without having read the story myself to know if I even agree with that negative feedback.
And this works the same in reverse - which might lead to a reader believing a story they hadn't read to be wonderful simply because the feedback was wonderful. I would never recommend a story I had not read except to say that I had enjoyed the writer's past efforts.
If you've read a story and have legitimate complaints or glowing applause, you have every right to air those - to stop reading or to nominate the story for as many awards as it can qualify for. If you've not read the story, it seems prudent to remain silent in either direction.
It is completely impossible to formulate an honest opinion about something if you have not read it yourself. Therefore the prospect of nomming a story you've never read, even if it is by a writer who you generally enjoy and respect, is unfair to everyone.
Lynn
