we're halfway there
\o/
My spn_summergen is off to beta! I rule!
After some rough patches, and a couple of false starts, I really like it. Now I just hope that 1. luzdeestrellas likes it, and 2. the recipient likes it. I also have to figure out a decent summary. I generally choose a summary that is more thematic than plot-related, and I often choose something that amuses me or is fitting on a meta level. I know this does not work to lure in readers, and since this is an anonyfest, that is problematic.
I mean, I really like the story I wrote for last year's spn_summergen, even if the recipient never commented, and the summary amuses me ("As metaphors go, it's pretty on the nose, don't you think?"), but I think it probably didn't really spark for people looking for something to read. And without my name on it to give some reassurance...
I mean, I like a good "In which..." summary as much as the next person (possibly more, if it's a funny one), but I am not really looking for a plot summary when I am looking for a story to read. It's not even about spoilers, though if you tell me too much of the plot in the summary, a lot of the time, I will be able to tell what happens. But since it's fanfic, it's not the what - a large part of the time, I want the same story (A pines for B. B finally clues in. A and B have smoochies. The end.) - it's the how.
Even with most of my reading these days being gen, it's still not the what, though I do like a clever case file (and also, ORGAN STEALING), it's the relationship between Sam and Dean and how the case - whatever it is (ORGAN STEALING) - affects that.
So generally speaking, the summaries I use on my stories are the types of summaries that will pique my interest in other people's stories. Much like I write recs that tell the kind of thing I find useful in other people's recs (mostly how the story made me feel, and possibly a little about how it's written or what it's about).
What kinds of summaries snag your attention as a reader? Beyond noticing whether things are spelled correctly or make sense, I mean. Obviously, in some cases, they are big warnings to STAY AWAY. But aside from that kind of thing, what makes you click or not click? I know there are a variety of factors - how important is a good summary? How much effect does a bad one have?
Inquiring minds want to know!
(and I bet you thought this was going to be another rant against anonymity. ha!)
***
My spn_summergen is off to beta! I rule!
After some rough patches, and a couple of false starts, I really like it. Now I just hope that 1. luzdeestrellas likes it, and 2. the recipient likes it. I also have to figure out a decent summary. I generally choose a summary that is more thematic than plot-related, and I often choose something that amuses me or is fitting on a meta level. I know this does not work to lure in readers, and since this is an anonyfest, that is problematic.
I mean, I really like the story I wrote for last year's spn_summergen, even if the recipient never commented, and the summary amuses me ("As metaphors go, it's pretty on the nose, don't you think?"), but I think it probably didn't really spark for people looking for something to read. And without my name on it to give some reassurance...
I mean, I like a good "In which..." summary as much as the next person (possibly more, if it's a funny one), but I am not really looking for a plot summary when I am looking for a story to read. It's not even about spoilers, though if you tell me too much of the plot in the summary, a lot of the time, I will be able to tell what happens. But since it's fanfic, it's not the what - a large part of the time, I want the same story (A pines for B. B finally clues in. A and B have smoochies. The end.) - it's the how.
Even with most of my reading these days being gen, it's still not the what, though I do like a clever case file (and also, ORGAN STEALING), it's the relationship between Sam and Dean and how the case - whatever it is (ORGAN STEALING) - affects that.
So generally speaking, the summaries I use on my stories are the types of summaries that will pique my interest in other people's stories. Much like I write recs that tell the kind of thing I find useful in other people's recs (mostly how the story made me feel, and possibly a little about how it's written or what it's about).
What kinds of summaries snag your attention as a reader? Beyond noticing whether things are spelled correctly or make sense, I mean. Obviously, in some cases, they are big warnings to STAY AWAY. But aside from that kind of thing, what makes you click or not click? I know there are a variety of factors - how important is a good summary? How much effect does a bad one have?
Inquiring minds want to know!
(and I bet you thought this was going to be another rant against anonymity. ha!)
***