Although I admit to being horrible at writing summaries for my own stories, I do rely on them when deciding whether to bother reading someone else's. Sometimes, I can tell just from the summary (typos, grammar errors) that the writing in the story is going to make me crazy so I'll pass. There are things in canon (Alonzo) that I'm denying and would rather not read about. Sometimes, if it's been ages since a writer posted part of a multi-part fic, the summary reminds me that I know and liked (or didn't) the story.
As a writer, I like knowing that a lot of people are reading my fic, even if they aren't commenting. The summary is just one tool a writer has to lure the reader inside. The title, pairings, warning, and the author are all elements a reader considers. But since you're asking today about the summary, I'd say it's an opportunity a writer shouldn't disregard. We'll see what your poll reveals.
Yeah, true, you can often tell the tone and technical skill from a summary. I think sometimes more than anything I use a summary to tell if I *don't* want to read it, most of the time the rest of the header will get me to give it a go.
First question assume I added 'or' between each one. I think that it depends on the story.
Also with the last question, I find that the other information is often equally as important to my decision to read or not read.
With regard to the middle question, I'm extremely unlikely to read a story without some sort of summary or indication if it's something I'm actually going to enjoy - recs I trust or an author I trust are perhaps two of the only reasons.
Yeah, it should have an "or" - that Q started life as radio buttons, which had the "or" inferred!
I think a lot of the time I don't pay a lot of attention to the summary because i'm so desperate to read new fic that as long as it matches the general requirements (maybe pairing/length/rating), then i'll give it a go.
Any of the summary types work for me. I do read summaries but authors and recs carry far more influence. As do trusted betas or the lack thereof. OTOH a snappy summary can convince me to give a story a shot.
I have some difficulty distinguishing between those summary types -- ones I write or look for often combine those elements. So I guess any of them works for me.
I'm always interested in how a writer reflects on/presents a complete story. The ones I can't stand are the disingenuous or I-suck-at-summaries ones; I won't usually read those fics. By the time you've written it, you have to have some idea what it's about.
ugh, the passive-aggressive "i suck at summaries" makes me hit the back button instantly.
The trouble I have with writing summaries is... well, that same trouble with storyfinder communities! No matter how clever the story, you can reduce it to sounding ridiculous or boring by summarising its elements, a lot of the time. I often feel an abject reluctance to do just that when I'm trying to come up with something pithy and encouraging to advertise a story.
I might do any of these summary types, depending on the story. Sometimes it's a line from the story, sometimes a descriptive summary, sometimes a tagline.
If a story is by someone whose writing I know/like anyway, I'll probably read it regardless, but if it's an unfamiliar writer, the summary can entice.
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As a writer, I like knowing that a lot of people are reading my fic, even if they aren't commenting. The summary is just one tool a writer has to lure the reader inside. The title, pairings, warning, and the author are all elements a reader considers. But since you're asking today about the summary, I'd say it's an opportunity a writer shouldn't disregard. We'll see what your poll reveals.
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Also with the last question, I find that the other information is often equally as important to my decision to read or not read.
With regard to the middle question, I'm extremely unlikely to read a story without some sort of summary or indication if it's something I'm actually going to enjoy - recs I trust or an author I trust are perhaps two of the only reasons.
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I think a lot of the time I don't pay a lot of attention to the summary because i'm so desperate to read new fic that as long as it matches the general requirements (maybe pairing/length/rating), then i'll give it a go.
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I'm always interested in how a writer reflects on/presents a complete story. The ones I can't stand are the disingenuous or I-suck-at-summaries ones; I won't usually read those fics. By the time you've written it, you have to have some idea what it's about.
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The trouble I have with writing summaries is... well, that same trouble with storyfinder communities! No matter how clever the story, you can reduce it to sounding ridiculous or boring by summarising its elements, a lot of the time. I often feel an abject reluctance to do just that when I'm trying to come up with something pithy and encouraging to advertise a story.
Reply
If a story is by someone whose writing I know/like anyway, I'll probably read it regardless, but if it's an unfamiliar writer, the summary can entice.
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