Okay, so I had this whole rant up earlier and then my computer froze (dang ME!) before I could publish it - and in retrospect, it was probably a good thing as I was in a horrificly bad mood and I admit, some of my rants were directed in one particular direction.

However, I took those particular thoughts off to a private email and life is better now. I'm still in a bad mood - beware - but thanks to sympathy from a good friend who has "been there, done there," I'm a little more calm. But not much. But I'd like to make some things absolutely crystal clear so that there is absolutely no doubt in anyone's head about where I stand on certain things:

• I write fanfic because I enjoy it. When will I stop? When I stop enjoying it. I don't need any more justification than that and I certainly don't need to answer to anyone about my love of fanfic; let's put it this way, my mother is okay with it (well, I'm not on drugs...) and she and my father are the only people I ever have to explain myself to.
  
• Don't send me your work for editing before using spellcheck. Actually, don't send me your work for editing before asking me first. I already have a group of people who I edit for and they take priority. I hate to disappoint you, so please ask first before sending me a story with nothing more than your name on it. Thanks.
  
• I don't take submissions, I don't pay for submissions, and no, I can't help you get published. Sorry and good luck.
  
• Thanks for letting me know about your school project on Henry VIII. Yes, I know it's a fascinating subject and Anne Boleyn was certainly an interesting woman for her time, but I think you'd enjoy it more if you do the research yourself. Good luck.
  
• Thanks for letting me know you have a new story up. I hope to get to it soon, but as some people know, my "to read" list is extremely long. I will take a look at it, but unfortunately, not today.
  
• Yes, I'm interested in DSL, but please understand when I tell you that I cannot afford it right now. Don't try to sell me a long-distance plan or an international calling plan. I only have one friend internationally so I can't justify the expense. But thanks for asking.
  
• There's no such thing as a free lunch. Ever. I send you to Jemima's article on fic taxes for further clarification. You get what you pay for and the internet is a prime example of that adage.
  
• Unless I say you can call me something else, call me Seema. You'd better have known me for a really, really long time - say a minimum of 15 years - before you can even start thinking about giving me a nickname. And right now, there are only 3 people who are not family who qualify to call me something other than Seema.
  
• Thanks for the note about how you think my exclusion of erotica/pornography on my site is degrading to the art. I understand your concerns, but we obviously have very different ideas of what art is. And the answer is still: no.
  
• Unless you've walked a mile in someone's shoes, don't criticize. And actually, while I'm on the subject, got a problem? Don't talk to me unless you've got a solution. If you're a friend, ignore this rule - it doesn't apply to you.
  

I think that's all I have for today, but I reserve the right to add to this list at another time. Hmph.