But Xanthe and any other writers post fiction and thus let it out in the big scary world on its own. Doesn't it mean that it's free game to discuss it anywhere it finds its way to? I can rec a story in my own LJ, I can bitch and rant about a story in my LJ, so why can't I do it in a reply to a discussion someplace else? Do I have to make sure the writer will see my opinion on her writing? It's not like she needs to be able to show up to defend herself - she said everything with her writing already. I don't mean bashing an author "behind her back", but making my own opinion of her work known.