Open Thread: Oracle Hotline
Apr. 29th, 2022 01:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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--Which is harder: titles or summaries (or tags)?
Titles! *pounds table* TITLES TITLES TITLES. I can usually do a summary that does a fic justice (though now and then I do fall back on the dreaded Rhetorical Question--maybe because I don't mind them in general, they're a romantic genre staple!) but titles just destroy me. Maybe it's because I don't think about summaries much when I've posted a piece, but I have to think about a story by its title forever, and when it's one I don't like it bugs me forever...
Titles! *pounds table* TITLES TITLES TITLES. I can usually do a summary that does a fic justice (though now and then I do fall back on the dreaded Rhetorical Question--maybe because I don't mind them in general, they're a romantic genre staple!) but titles just destroy me. Maybe it's because I don't think about summaries much when I've posted a piece, but I have to think about a story by its title forever, and when it's one I don't like it bugs me forever...
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Date: 2022-04-30 07:03 am (UTC)Though since you brought up tags, I always wonder how to tag my fics on AO3. I don't want to go overboard but also make sure that I pick some eye catching ones too.
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Date: 2022-05-13 01:25 am (UTC)Yes! It's so frustrating!
Though since you brought up tags, I always wonder how to tag my fics on AO3. I don't want to go overboard but also make sure that I pick some eye catching ones too.
I tend to seriously under-tag, based on what else I've seen. I'll tag for major characters, for major tropes, and then I try to remember to tag for anything sexual (or otherwise!) that might either be a selling point or a warning. Like if there's a specific act or story point that some people will seek out and other people will want to avoid, that makes it tag-worthy to me. But it's a delicate balance!
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Date: 2022-05-01 01:27 pm (UTC)Whoops, forgot tags! I tend to stick to conventional tags to help readers find what they want. Professional training! π The AO3 tags can be annoying because they're virtually useless as search tools (the made-up ones). I only occasionally make mine up when I'm feeling bristly. π
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Date: 2022-05-13 01:27 am (UTC)I only occasionally make mine up when I'm feeling bristly. π
I've been known to do this now and then too, in much the same way! Usually I stick to the basics, but sometimes you want to say a little something extra.
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Date: 2022-05-13 12:45 pm (UTC)