Granted I am the most computerly inept person you are ever likely to meet (just ask Jinn), but I have one answer to the question "Why do people send e-mails to authors, but they won't review?" I have been on this site as a reader for about ten months now, but readers are not allowed to review. They ARE, however, allowed to write e-mails, which I have done to some twenty of the authors on this site. Only a 'user' may write a review, but nowhere could I find an explanation of how to become a 'user'! I hate being a bother, but eventually I broke down and asked Jinn how to become a 'user' and, of course, nothing could be simpler ONCE YOU KNOW HOW. The trick is finding out how. I would like to suggest that the information on how to become a 'user' be placed in the description of 'user' priviledges, just as the information on how to become a 'member' is included in the description of 'member' priviledges.

As an aside, I had to laugh at the comment someone made about writing under a female pseudonym to get a larger response. I have written to twelve 'female' writers at this site and gotten responses back from nine of them. Only three of the nine 'male' authors I have written to have responded. The 'females' may have a different take on why they get a better response, but my view is, they're getting back because they're willing to 'put out' for their fans and the 'males' are not.

Last point this post: I recognize the validity of what some of you have said about reviewers who give balanced reviews being a more valuable resource than reviewers (like myself) who only give 'good' reviews. My hat is off to the 'users' who take their reviewing responsibilities more seriously than I do, and I hope they die in bed with smiles on their faces. My position is that my life is too short to waste it writing a review of a story I didn't like. Objectivity is not my strong suit and I am incapable of writing a constructive review of a story that bored (or nauseated) me. Since I don't get my jollies from offending people, I abide by the "If you can't say something nice..." adage and pass quietly along to the next story. Those lucky(?) authors who have been recipients of my e-mails know that I usually include some criticism in my fan letters, but if the story isn't at least a '6', it isn't worth my effort.

I shall now step back from the pulpit...