"Can we make it through this act without a tragedy?"

[cinderlily]

(Procrastinating because I have writer's block like woah and have been stuck at word #6427 of a fic I have promised myself before the end of this month. Frustrating? I think so. I still apologize for the spam

Comments

[littlestclouds]

How do you name the stories/pieces you write?

I'm so uncreative with titles. I usually default to lyrics/a line of poetry/a quote/etc. that I think sums up the basic theme or point of the fic. I want the title to say something about the fic, like what it's about or what have you. Usually when I have to think of my own titles, they end up being a line pulled from the fic, or something, and usually pretty lame. I blame Dawson's Creek fandom. :P I started my fandom life in Dawson's Creek, and all the fics I had read in that fandom usually used song lyrics as an epigraph, or title. It's a practice I've never been able to shake.

Follow up question: does the title of a fic have any real affect on whether or not you will read a fic?Usually. If a fic has an unappealing or uninteresting title, or if it doesn't grab me, I will usually pass it by. There are some authors I'd read, even if their fics were titled, like, "Long Boring Baseball Slash Epic," of course. But those are usually the exception

[cinderlily]

I started MY fandom life in Dawson's Creek as well! Small world!

I didn't really start doing it until this year, actually, which is weird. Before I would come up with like the most generic "This is what happened" type titles, so for me fic titles being quotes/lyrics is a HUGE step up. (Sad, huh? ;)) It's easier! Plus in the long run I am sure no matter what I titled it it wouldn't come out right, you know?

Diet coke on your FOOT? Ouch! hopefully your toes will be fine? There is nothing worse than broken/bruised toes. There is nothing you can do, you have to walk and you never get how much your toes are a vital part of walking! I mean, I aways assumed they were just for balance but then walking with bruises it's just like, "Ouch. Ouch. Ouch."

[penrith1]

I'm not a writer but if you don't mind a comment by a avid reader? Or just ignore.
I try to read everything but first and foremost my eyes light up for a favourite writer. When a writer's talent is established (and believe me it only takes 1 fic) then I will read everything of their's and know I won't be disappointed. Second the summary is very important. For instance if it is signposted character death or heavy angst I have to be in a good place to read. If I'm having a sad day this can tip me over the edge. Finally I love the song fics which can get me in the mood and enjoy the interpretations. In conclusion for me I think the title means more to the writer and her muse to set them on their path. I as a reader join the journey no matter what the title. This is just me.

[cinderlily]

Of course I want to hear about it! In fact, I will edit it for it to say as such! The more the merrier, and I am always interesting in how and why people read fics.

See, you make me a little nervous here (I'm neurotic here, this isn't me preening for attention, just a truth) I know I am pretty bad with summaries AND titles... I just never feel like I can rehash without giving away too much or not enough, you know? That being said : "In conclusion for me I think the title means more to the writer and her muse to set them on their path. I as a reader join the journey no matter what the title. This is just me." honestly made my heart swell a bit. There needs to be more people like you in fandom, has anyone ever told you that? You are supportive, trusting and honest.

Also, I can't read things with character death 9 times out of 10. It is too... I don't know. Fresh? And painful. And real. Even in the best of moods it breaks my heart. I love angst but I need my happily ever after, you know?

[jehane_writes]

Title inspiration: Most of mine are from songs, as it happens. Occasionally I'll bust out in the odd fancy phrase - e.g. "Declaration, and Other Songs of Love and Romance".

Does a title matter: Not usually. Although if there is an interesting title, I'd be particularly intrigued.

[cinderlily]

Oooo! Jealous! I never get bursts of fancy. :) But songs are really pretty awesome in that they can bring another level to the fic in my mind. Adds to the flavor?

[rajkumari905]

I fail so hard at titles, but sometimes things just come to me. Sometimes I force titles out, especially when it's a flashfic, and sometimes I do song titles etc, but that's not very often.

I read everything that's posted, so titles don't have a huge effect for me, BUT if a titles is witty or well thought out or jumps out at me, I kind of have a more positive attitude toward reading it? But that also goes for like, the header and author's notes. Like, if someone clearly doesn't know how to write a header/their author's notes make me think the fic won't be good for whatever reason (warning for 'out of character'ness is a big one =\) then I'll be kinda eh about reading it. But yeah, I still read everything.

[cinderlily]

I want to read everything, to be honest, even the ones with iffy titles, I just never have the time nor patience. Which... is probably why you are the Queen of Awesome Mod and I am but a lowly member of the fandom. :) You dedication rocks, just so you know!

My problem is that if I forced one out literally ALL my fics would be named "The One Where ...." like how Friends episodes were named. The fact that you can 'force' out any at all is amazing. :D

[superslothic]

Heh, I'm never inspired to make up titles. I suck at thinking them up, so they just end up being whatever the main dwelling point is. *shrug* Not even creative enough to snatch lyrics!

As for the second question, I gotta say, half the time I don't even know what the fics I'm reading are called. I just go directly to the summary and skip the title altogether. In the old days, I'd just read whatever was in the right ship, then when I got bored of that, I just went with whatever sounded interesting (or like it was written with grammar and stuff).

Titles aren't exactly distinguishing a lot of the time, anyway. There's always like 35,000 of the same one.

[cinderlily]

I think I am your polar opposite because I am like... all about the title and kind of gloss the summary at very best. I think it's because I have no summary skills so I assume everyone does? I don't know. I'm weird, apparently, as everyone has agreed with you. :D