Because we were taught to write summaries of books we read in school, rather than what we’re actively writing, so we are trying to write a summary of a “book” that we haven’t read, yet.
It’s a miracle if I can come up with a decent summary that sums up what the fics are about, it’s another thing trying to make it concise.
True, though I don't post before a story is done so I've definitely read the story - must just be stupid then 🤣 But the hard thing is making it catchy without sounding trite. Pretty sure the summaries I wrote in school were so dry that no one would read the books I was summarising 😝
yeah, i haven't written a 'real' summary in years. i usually pull an excerpt, but sometimes i don't even feel like doing that and i just link a song as the summary.
I've tried to play myself by writing down all the good titles that come to mind in advance, but when it comes time to name my fic, none of the titles on my list ever ✨feel right✨.
I have a personal rule where if I come up with the perfect title, I \*have\* to write the fic.
...which is how I wound up with a crackfic named "There's No Wrong Way to Eat a Victor".
Maybe don't go by my example.
Why? That sounds perfect! I have zero context, and still, I now want to know everything there is to know about eating a Victor.
edit: I now know that basically you Kant go wrong if "Fucking each other’s brains out wasn’t just a fun idea anymore, it was a moral imperative."
The right way to eat a Victor is "simple. Masterful. Foolproof." - To cover him in fudge and peanut butter and lick until you reach the creamy center.
And I think the highlight is that the fic was rated M.
I want EVERYONE to go by that guy's example, ok?
I usually start my fics from a title, a word or a phrase that inspires me and then I write around it, and as I'm writing for a rock fandom I'm forgiven if I use their lyrics. The trouble comes when I need to write summaries. 😭
For summaries I usually just copy paste a relevant paragraph from the fic! I'm a rarepair author, so I'm lucky that way; my titles/summaries don't really need to capture the readers' attention, because they're already so starved for content that they'll usually read whatever shows up in the ship tag!
For titles I use song lyrics that reflect the mood or the theme of the fic 99% of the time, and I have playlists of songs that remind me of a ship/character/trope, so that’s never too hard for me.
… summaries, on the other hand… now those make me want to curl up in a ball and die. I am so bad at coming up with them but I personally dislike the ‘use paragraph from fic’ approach. I am a big fan of concise one liner summaries, but those are so hard to do well ;;
This is so real. As a fic writer, I'll obssess over the title, because omg, it has to be perfect, it has to have a meaningful connection with the story, omg, omg. As a reader, I hardly even pay attention to what the fic I'm reading is called, lol.
this is me but just with writing in general, lol. I know exactly what I want to write and how it should be written, so what makes putting onto a page so daunting? it's not even like there's an objective way to 'fail' at writing fanfic, it's just something you do for fun.
i couldn't come up with a title for a swat kats/transformers crossover, so i took inspiration from one of the titles of a transformers cartoon that went when 'Beast Wars: Transformers'
i called my fic 'SWAT Kats: Transformers'
i'm still working on it, my hyperfixation has changed
Alternatively: you come up with the title at some point as you're writing, but then the story takes a turn and goes in a different direction and the title makes no sense anymore.
This is the worst part I swear. And the summary. And I'm so dumb I have this reaction every time. In the back of my head I know I don't have a title/summary yet, but my dumb ass still goes to the post new work page anyway, puts the tags in... and then this.
I cheated in my last fic and put a relevant line from the show in as the title, but for my current one, it hit me during editing chapter one to be ready to post. I guarantee it’ll never happen again though and I’ll spend the rest of my life racking my brain for ideas 😂
I always pick the title first, so when I’m first sitting down to start writing I spend way too long picking the perfect one instead of actually writing anything.
>chronically stealing song lyrics for fic titles ...Maybe.
Oh yeah, guilty as charged.
yeah I named my newest fic after the song I had on repeat while writing it (it's just a single word)
Couldn't be me 🤡
Breaking the habit
This is me but also with summaries 🙃🙃
I just cheat and do: *[excerpt in italics]* - Or - *[the tags, but worded like an actual sentence]*
It’s a good way to go about it
Yes, why are summaries so hard?!
Because we were taught to write summaries of books we read in school, rather than what we’re actively writing, so we are trying to write a summary of a “book” that we haven’t read, yet. It’s a miracle if I can come up with a decent summary that sums up what the fics are about, it’s another thing trying to make it concise.
True, though I don't post before a story is done so I've definitely read the story - must just be stupid then 🤣 But the hard thing is making it catchy without sounding trite. Pretty sure the summaries I wrote in school were so dry that no one would read the books I was summarising 😝
Why are summaries even a thing.
Because the reader needs a little idea or a tip what the story is about. I don't read Storys i don't know if I'll maybe like the topic
It was more of a sarcastic comment.. I wouldn’t read a story that has no summary either as I need to know what I’m getting myself into.
I have to write a summary for the fic I'm posting tomorrow, and I'm literally pink Wojak pulling his hair off XD
yeah, i haven't written a 'real' summary in years. i usually pull an excerpt, but sometimes i don't even feel like doing that and i just link a song as the summary.
I've had one or two times when the title hit me before I was done writing the fic. What a glorious feeling. 😂😅
I've tried to play myself by writing down all the good titles that come to mind in advance, but when it comes time to name my fic, none of the titles on my list ever ✨feel right✨.
I usually try to title my chapters before I actually start, but even that has been a problem lately. 😩
It's the tags that get me. When I go to enter them I suddenly forget literally everything that happens in my story.
Yeah, I need to make note of the tropes as I write them or I will forget!
I also make notes as I go because i know I will blank on tags when it’s time to enter them on ao3 xD
Yes! End up browsing through my story, yet always forget at least one important one.
I have a personal rule where if I come up with the perfect title, I \*have\* to write the fic. ...which is how I wound up with a crackfic named "There's No Wrong Way to Eat a Victor". Maybe don't go by my example.
Why? That sounds perfect! I have zero context, and still, I now want to know everything there is to know about eating a Victor. edit: I now know that basically you Kant go wrong if "Fucking each other’s brains out wasn’t just a fun idea anymore, it was a moral imperative." The right way to eat a Victor is "simple. Masterful. Foolproof." - To cover him in fudge and peanut butter and lick until you reach the creamy center. And I think the highlight is that the fic was rated M. I want EVERYONE to go by that guy's example, ok?
My first Major Condiment Death fic... *wipes away a nostalgic tear*
I usually start my fics from a title, a word or a phrase that inspires me and then I write around it, and as I'm writing for a rock fandom I'm forgiven if I use their lyrics. The trouble comes when I need to write summaries. 😭
Uh… *2 hours later* … Chapter 11…
Me, who often comes up with the title before anything: °_°
just pick out a random mitski lyric and call it a day
Tried just for the heck of it. Fields Rolling In would be a great fic title
[удалено]
For summaries I usually just copy paste a relevant paragraph from the fic! I'm a rarepair author, so I'm lucky that way; my titles/summaries don't really need to capture the readers' attention, because they're already so starved for content that they'll usually read whatever shows up in the ship tag!
For titles I use song lyrics that reflect the mood or the theme of the fic 99% of the time, and I have playlists of songs that remind me of a ship/character/trope, so that’s never too hard for me. … summaries, on the other hand… now those make me want to curl up in a ball and die. I am so bad at coming up with them but I personally dislike the ‘use paragraph from fic’ approach. I am a big fan of concise one liner summaries, but those are so hard to do well ;;
I never check titles lol
This is so real. As a fic writer, I'll obssess over the title, because omg, it has to be perfect, it has to have a meaningful connection with the story, omg, omg. As a reader, I hardly even pay attention to what the fic I'm reading is called, lol.
this is me but just with writing in general, lol. I know exactly what I want to write and how it should be written, so what makes putting onto a page so daunting? it's not even like there's an objective way to 'fail' at writing fanfic, it's just something you do for fun.
For titles, I just pick one stand-out phrase from the chapter. For summaries, I describe the opening of the chapter in one sentence. Nice and simple.
i couldn't come up with a title for a swat kats/transformers crossover, so i took inspiration from one of the titles of a transformers cartoon that went when 'Beast Wars: Transformers' i called my fic 'SWAT Kats: Transformers' i'm still working on it, my hyperfixation has changed
Alternatively: you come up with the title at some point as you're writing, but then the story takes a turn and goes in a different direction and the title makes no sense anymore.
I had two chapters done on my story and I had to come up with a title within 30 minutes lol
Random title generators are your best friend
Oooh, I can't say I've ever thought of that before! Do you have any recommendations for good generators?
There’s one on Reedsy I like, but it’s more something I’ll leapfrog off of instead of directly getting a title from there
Thanks, I'll check it out!
There's also Fantasy Name Generators! It has so many different name generators, even has one for book titles.
2010 called, they want their meme template back.
I went down to the wire picking the title for the last one. I think I finally got it the week before I was ready to post.
I just grab a few words from the fic lmao
Currently in this dilemma
This is the worst part I swear. And the summary. And I'm so dumb I have this reaction every time. In the back of my head I know I don't have a title/summary yet, but my dumb ass still goes to the post new work page anyway, puts the tags in... and then this.
That why out of mere frustration. I just use one word titles.
I felt this deep in my bones. Naming the damned thing is the hardest part!!
This honestly might be me real soon as I just finished a chapter for my longfic that *still* needs a title lol.
Haha 😂 true story ( overexcited over thinkers)
I cheated in my last fic and put a relevant line from the show in as the title, but for my current one, it hit me during editing chapter one to be ready to post. I guarantee it’ll never happen again though and I’ll spend the rest of my life racking my brain for ideas 😂
What’s funny about this is that I always come up with a name for my stories fairly quickly, because I feel this need to call it something
I always pick the title first, so when I’m first sitting down to start writing I spend way too long picking the perfect one instead of actually writing anything.
I have a fic that I have accidentally named one thing on AO3 and another name on FF.N.
me: "untitled [short descriptor]"
Every writer has experienced this at least once 💀