Fictionpress and you!

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 03:39:44 GMT

A guide for those new to fictionpress, or those who feel they aren't getting enough reviews 'round here. I have some tips that may or may not attract readers, breaking it down to what you should and should not do, according to how you represent your story, and then down to how you construct your story overall.

I feel myself competent to write a guide for those in need of one. Why?

Uno: I review a LOT. And I always give critique of many kinds with those reviews.

Dos: I float to stories that have errors. For one, I'm a narcissist, and I need to feel good about myself. For two, I'm cruel and make fun of them, for reasons I can only explain as cynicism and, again, narcissism. I'm a bitch, basically. :]

Tres: Because I float to these stories, I know what makes them bad, and because I compile so much criticism a day, I've had to figure out ways for writer's to help their problems.

This doesn't take care of all your problems, but hopefully it should give you an idea of how you can make your story the best it can be. That means not just a lot of reviews, but GOOD reviews, and loyal readers who enjoy your work. Can I promise this? Of course not--but odds are this should definitely help you in the long run.

Anyway, let us commence.

First: The title.

Oh, the dreaded title. I know I don't like coming up with one. Yet we all must as fictionpress users, by ourselves. Don't think it isn't important--a title is a stamp. It's what your story will be called by those who read it, and a name that when they think of it, they'll think of your story. So definitely make sure it's something you like, and something that suits your story.

Don't think your fictionpress title will last if you actually manage to publish your story, of course. Yet if you wish to at least be successful on fictionpress, do come up with a title that holds your story somewhat well.

Do:
-Think of something catchy and memorable.

No one expects something amazing, mind you. It's usually an editors job to think of a title, since they know how to do it, but there's no harm in actually thinking of what makes a good title.

How to go about making it catchy is not that hard, really--that all comes next.

Do:
-Consider the atmosphere of your story.

Is your story an epic adventure? An angst filled romance/drama? A mind f**? Really think of how you want to portray your story as. A simple title for a simple story, a longer title with a deep meaning for a long story with a message behind it, a title that speaks of emotion for a drama. Think of words that would help it give your story such an affect--even foreign words. French or Italian or Spanish for a romantic adventure story, Latin or Greek or Russian for a dark story... consider all how it comes into context of your story, of course.

Don't:
-Make it painfully literal.

"My story is about an angel of death... so I'll call it Angel of Death!"

Seems logical enough. Yet, really... think about it. Does that stick to your mind? Again, not expecting perfection, but why not push the envelope a little here? Think more about what your story is about, behind the outer-shelling. Sure, you can include some part about an angel, or death, but you should really go farther than that and dig in deep for what your story is really about.

Don't:
-Show self-doubt in a title.

This will be a repeating trend in this guide--the trend being self-doubt. I see so many writer's second guess themselves. While it's good to have modesty, and even to say you're unsure of some aspect in your story or chapter, it's never good to constantly say so, or say so on such a minor thing as a title.

If you're unsure of your title, but want to post it anyway, it's all your decision. I'd just HIGHLY advise you do not put in WITH the title "(title subject to change)". For one, I can honestly say I don't give a crap if I haven't even read it yet, and two, it makes you look more than a smidgen unprofessional. Go with your gut instincts. If you're so unsure of a title, just change it before posting it. You're not under any deadline, so take the time you need to gain confidence in what you're doing before leaving yourself open to critique.

Don't EVER:
-Leave your story untitled, and then post it

We all hit writer's block once in a while, but personally speaking, it shows a certain callousness to just post a story without thinking up any sort of title for it. Those authors who have their stories as "Untitled"--you should pretty much all be ashamed of yourselves. Not one thing could come to mind? Is your story that uninteresting? Because if you can't think of one or more short words to describe it, it gives the impression that it has no real point to it, as you weren't even interested in it enough yourself to think of anything as a title.

Don't:
-Post blatantly temporary titles

The worst title filler I've seen went along the lines of "AHHHHHHHHH I need to come up with a better title". It got over 300 reviews. But you know what? It was a piece of bloody s**t smeared on a douche sandwich. It was awful. And the reviews were all from mindless people with no taste, with all the time in the world to leave such thought provoking reviews as "omg plz update!1".

Ask yourself: Do you want a story like this? If you really don't care either way, X out of this window right now.

I've done the temporary title before. It just about killed my fanfic. Hm. I wonder if it did ever end up getting any reviews.... I was too embarrassed to find out.

Anyway, if you really can't think of anything that you like, really organize your thoughts and weigh out your options. You'll get a better response in the end if you aren't lazy with your title. Give it meaning.

Sum-up:
-Use your brain
-Think of atmosphere
-Make it relevent without it being literal
-Don't have self-doubt
-Don't be a lazy poopoo

Tips:
•Check dictionary.com and use the thesaurus. Think of some words that might describe your story and put it all together.

•Think about whatever symbolism you have in your story; then again, if you're fantastic enough to even think about symbolism in your story, then you're probably set already and aren't even looking at this right now.

•Got symbolism? Got words? Search Fictionpress. Search for those words under "titles". If you see over 2000+ results, guess what? OVERUSED. I tend to throw my head back and laugh when I see such overused words as "blood, moon, angel, wing, feather, dragon, red, blue" etc. in any title, but more so if any are used together. Go for something daring and new, please? I'm not saying these words are off boundary, but seriously consider if these words actually have value in the title. (Oh, and foreign words are different. I'd say 200-300+ is overused, wouldn't you?)

Second: The summary.

"Oh no! I must limit myself to 255 letters?! I cannot ramble on endlessly about my story? Whatever is a writer to do!"

I'll tell you. You do what all must do at some point--compensate and condensate. Which means deal, and make your crap short and sweet.

Bite down on the pillow and take it like a man, baby; we're thinking up a summary.

Don't:
-Take the easy route

Here's a taste of what I hate:
"OMG I SUCK AT SUMMARIES! Please read though! Read the summary inside!! Read and review!!"

Seriously, what the hell? That gives me nothing. I'm the type to just click anyway, to discern whether or not this person's story is really worth it in the long run, but not everyone is me. I'm actually quite sure most would say "Pfft" and move on. Or at least all the intelligent people who have something to do with their time. Some people who pity you may click.

255 letters is pretty binding, yes. I've had my own troubles with it, believe me. You know what though? I've been able to come up with just dandy summaries that I'm fully satisfied with.

How? Jeez, people, it is not that hard...

Do:
-Think of key phrases

Basically, think of a motto. Overall, what's your story about? I don't want a drawn out explanation of a prophecy, or a blah schmeal about how a girl's life was changed ever since that alien came into her life. Give me what your core point is to the story.

Everyone likes examples, right?

Example: Your story is a romance between a fairy princess and a knight. They have many adventures together with a ragtag group of adventurers, all plotting for revenge on one foe. The fairy princess is shy and doesn't know how to express her feelings for the knight; the knight overall ignores her for the most part, intent on killing his enemy.

Now, think. What is the conflict, here? Externally it's revenge, perhaps even tensions within the group; internally it's the fairy princess and her coveting for the knight.

Conflict is a good place to start when thinking of a summary. It's the driving force in your story. It's what keeps readers reading.

I'm not saying you must think of an extended summary, however. You should know what you're story's about already. Think of the conflicts and issues that revolve around your story, and build from there.

Do:
-Realize that there is more to read within your story...

Please, PLEASE, leave some mystery to your summary, if you can. A summary on fictionpress is different, since you have a lot of limited space. So a summary on fictionpress is essentially a summary of a freakin' summary, therefore, I'd advise all to not spell out their story in such short words.

Example of this:
"Suki Yamato was just a normal girl, until her 16th birthday, a prophecy is fulfilled and she's transported to the world of Yahm! Will she ever find her way home? R&R!"

Okay, so it's not aaaaawful..... it could definitely use more though. For one, Suki being transported to some randomass world named Yahm means nothing to me while I read this. I don't know crap about Yahm, because you can't explain it in your summary that Yahm is a world full of pixies and ogres who all enjoy a feast of yams and 16 year old Japanese girls every year. If you could, then it would mean something. But you can't.

Overall, you're giving me the outline, with some hint of mystery, but I'm not given the meaning. What the hell's the point of Suki going to Yahm? Again, you can't explain this prophecy, which would again give it some meaning.

You're giving me the mere shell when I want the core, dangit.

An example of the core:
"It's hard being a Japanese girl in a foreign land; especially when everyone finds you delicious, and not in a sexual way. At all. If there's anyway to get to home, Suki's gotta find it..."

Better? Eh, if it's a comedy, which is what it's beginning to sound like to me. Dark comedy, of course.

But personally it gets me a bit more interested. It sounds pretty unique, even if it involves a Japanese girl going to a new world, which is overused in general. But if you have indeed brought a new twist to this theme, show that twist! Don't make it sound like the rest of them.

Don't EVER:
-Tell me it's a good story

"A story about pirates. Really funny! Me and my friends made it! R&R!"

*insert a scream of bloody murder here...*

Don't tell me it's funny. Don't tell me it's deep. Don't ever tell me your story is long, epic, and exciting. Show me it's all of this.

Because as a reviewer, it's my job to tell you what it is, and it's your to show me properly.

I'm not trying to be mean, but this summary doesn't give me crap, again. How am I supposed to know it's funny? Pirates? Is that all I get? It has a feasible chance of being funny, but just because you tell me something doesn't make it true.

Now if you actually take the extra step and give me a real summary that shows that it could possibly be funny--I may just consider reading it, which is the point of a summary.

Sum-up:
-Don't be a lazy poopoo, again
-Think of conflict
-Give us the core, not the shell
-Show me, don't tell me

Tips:
•Think of a reigning theme for your story. The core is the most you can provide for those reading the summary. Details should be left for the story.

•I'd prefer it if no one does an extended summary within the story itself. That leaves way too much to be revealed, since you have unlimited space. You still have to leave your story fill in the blanks for people.

•If you must have an extended summary, put it in your profile. It's a convenient place. I for one do this just for fun, and to advertise future stories. It's good for limitation; the summary should not be an outline. It should tease and hint--not spell it all out for us. Remember at least that.

This concludes my guide for now. I may have an extension on this--for more in-depth things. This is a guide merely for the outer coating of your fictionpress story; there is more beyond that which is still not comprehended by the average fictionpress user.

TTFN, lovies~

-Foxy

TheFoxiestGrampa's Xanga

Fictionpress and you!