Open Thread: Oracle Hotline

[mithen]

--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...

Comments

[svgurl]

I totally agree. Sometimes, summaries can be tough, and I know I have struggled with them, but titles are consistently frustrating. You just keep having to figure out new ones! If I pick something that I just settled on just to post, it does color my perception of the fic and I'm always like "ugh, that stupid title."

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.

[mithen]

If I pick something that I just settled on just to post, it does color my perception of the fic and I'm always like "ugh, that stupid title."

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!

[bradygirl_12]

That's interesting, because titles come easier to me than summaries. Summaries are like the blurbs on a book jacket: how do you sell the story without giving too much away? So sometimes the summaries can trip me up. ☺️

Whoops, forgot tags! I tend to stick to conventional tags to help readers find what they want. Professional training! 😝 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. 😝

[mithen]

Oh wow, seeing Rai's art in your icon has made me miss her so much! I hope she's doing well...

I only occasionally make mine up when I'm feeling bristly. 😝

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.

[bradygirl_12]

I hope she is, too. She gave so much joy with her art. 🧚