Moptop, you heartless, no good so-and-so!

First, your nit-picks were very much right on. In fact, while editing this chapter I have made a few changes that are right along the lines of your picked nits. I have not completed my editing, nor will I until I have a few more chapters under my belt. I like to let my stories gestate a bit so I can give them a fresh look. I think your review of this draft will aid in this chapter's eventual outcome.

But I did enjoy doing it, and you're right, doing this helps one to think more consciously about one's own writing.
It's amazing how much it can help one's work when you begin to look at other works with a critical eye. Of course, it also helps to look at the works of writers who are better than most. No, you silly person, I wasn't talking about me. I was talking about writers like Mad Lews, Lex Ludite, Aussiegirl, Benfan and a bunch of other people who's names I can't remember.

Anyhow, I am off....must get to earning my paycheck, after all.

Oh, thank you for your critical analysis of my chapter. It was quite well done.

Dean, the Great