summaries

[sixbeforelunch]

So here's a question I've often wondered about. What makes for a good fic summary? Is there anything that can get you to click when you might otherwise not have been inclined to?

Conversely, what types of summaries do you like least? Are there summaries that will make you skip a work even if it's tagged with all of your favorite ships and tropes?

Comments

[fucktheg0ds]

Personally, I like a very basic summary, like 1-2 sentences about what the character or characters do in the fic. The summary doesn't necessarily have to refer to the tropes, as that's what tags are for.

I'm not usually a fan of snippet summaries because then you have to read the same paragraph twice, which seems redundant.

And I definitely don't like summaries that are like "What will happen when X?" They give you a good idea of the maturity of the writing.

[doranwen]

And I definitely don't like summaries that are like "What will happen when X?" They give you a good idea of the maturity of the writing.

THIS. I usually see those on ff.n - and I give them a wide berth.

[fucktheg0ds]

YEP.

[coyoteclaw11]

Oh gosh those "What will happen!!!" summaries definitely give off like... a middle school vibe.

I don't mind snippet summaries, but if your snippet is literally the first paragraph in the story just........ cut out the first paragraph.........

[fucktheg0ds]

Definitely a middle school vibe. (She said, despite not knowing how old American "middle school" kids are.)

Ugh. Yes. I really don't want to read a paragraph twice in a row, even on the odd chance the writing's good.

[coyoteclaw11]

lmao sorry it's about 12-15 y/os

[fucktheg0ds]

Ha, I was thinking 11-13 because that's the age of intermediate school kids here in NZ. Close though!