On fanfic, because I need something else to think about for a while

Sturgeon's Law: "90% of science fiction is crud. But 90% of everything is crud." Though there's anecdotal evidence that he used a somewhat stronger word than "crud"...

It's a well-known saying in sf circles. And it applies equally well to fanfic. 90% of fanfic *is* crud. The difference with fanfic is that the 90% is out there in public. The crud that in profic is only seen by unfortunate slushpile readers is in fanfic available to anyone who cares to go and wade through the relevant web archives. When you read the slush, the 90% of crud, it's easy to forget that the 10% does exist; that there are people writing fanfic who are competent, even brilliant, writers; who choose to write fanfic not because they are incapable of "doing better" but because fanfic offers them the opportunity to write stories that they couldn't write in the profic world.

( Some answers to the question 'You're such a good writer, why don't you write for money?' )

Katrina info

A couple of links which may prove useful...

Massive link lists plus long, in-depth discussion with yet more links over at the blog Making Light
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/

This post specifically for a long list of links all collected in one place:
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006666.html#006666


and gacked from annafdd, an LJ post detailing which charities are safe to give money to, and which are likely to use the money to promote their specific religious beliefs:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/sunfell/561704.html

ETA: Post on Making Light about the SCA relief convoy. Medieval re-enactment groups have certain skills that will be useful (not least experience in building a field kitchen and shelter for several hundred to several thousand people from practically nothing in emergency conditions). Donation link given in the thread.
http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006704.html#92959