What makes you read a fic?

[Goldberry]

Personally, there are a number of things I look for. A good summary, a good TITLE. I have an incredibly weird hang up with titles. I actually can't start writing a new fic unless I already have a title for it. Working on something called "Untitled" just kills any imagination I have. Does that happen to anyone else?

*crickets chirp*

Well anyway, summary, title...the author always helps. If I know them I have a better chance of reading their work or if they have been previously recommended by someone else I know. So I guess a good lesson for everyone is to make friends in the fanfiction world. ^_~

One thing that doesn't influence me though, and maybe I'm crazy, is the number of reviews. Actually, I forget to look at that most of the time. *sheepish grin* Usually I just go for the above things and only glance at the reviews after I've already read the story. I only realized that about myself today and I'm kinda happy about it.

Reviews bring up a whole new rant/post that I think I'll save for later. ^_^



So, what makes YOU read?

[Mellie]

I agree. It has to have a good summary and a good title. If they have a segment if the summary, or a little teaser to get you hooked, I'm a goner. And when I know I like the author's works, I will read. Although, no matter how good a story, sometimes ridiculously long waits can kill the excitement I find when I first read. maybe that's just me, though...

[bookworm]

It has to have a good summary and a good title.

Definitely. It also bothers me that when a good story is never finished, or it is gone, makes me very upset. But sometimes, the long wait for the next chapter is good for me. It keeps me in suspense and makes me yearn for the next chapter. Though if the author doesn't finished the story, that is a bummer. (Thinks about herself.) Then again, I'm one to talk.

[RDP]

Yup! I agree with all of you. For me, the first thing that catches my eye is the title. A good one is descriptive, but isn't too long - leaves some room for the imagination. The author is another catching factor. If he/she writes and reviews a lot, and has a reputation for interesting fics, (especially in a certain category, i.e. angst, drama, romantic comedy, etc.) I usually recongize the user name, and know I am in for a good read. Something not mentioned in previous posts was the pairing factor...I know that plays a big role in what I select. I am more likely to read a 1xR than say...a 3xR fic. (And I never read yoai!)

Yes...long waits...I hate long waits! :evil: When authors hold out for too long without an update, I may lose interest, and when they finally do update, I can't remember some details of what I read! Heh...though, I seem like one of those slacking authors...

Summaries can be intriguing, but here on BI, we don't really have those, huh? The author's writing style and word choice can be hooking too. Oh my, I'm rambling...and I don't think rambling attracts viewers. Good luck to all the fanfiction authors!

[Enkeli]

^_^ I agree with all you guys out there. For me, because I'm a very fussy reader, it doesn't take me long to enter (and leave) ff.net. Because I take a cursory glance, and see if any of the titles capture my attention. All those named "Untitled", "The boy who lost his name" and others along those lines are first eliminated. Should I find a title that grabs my attention, like "Damaged", or "Deep as you go" (generally, the ones who are shorter, and yet can convery meaning) will intrigue me enough to read the summary.

The next step would, of course, be the summary. Any fic with a good title, but a "Just read" summary would join it's pals in the "next, please" pile.

When all that is done, I'll then click on the link, and proceed to read the fic. If the chapter is nothing but a single paragraph, it's Goodbye to you at once. If there are long AN's which are supposedly funny, it's "On probation", as I skip on ahead in the main fic. Then if it still doesn't catch my attention within the next four paragraphs, I'll decide that I'm not reading it.

I know, it's not the best way of reading, but I've found this method to be the most efficient (for me, at least), and I most definitely enjoy myself a whole lot more. So I continue to do it, even though I'm trying to kick the habit now. ^_^;;

[trekkiexb5]

It has to have paragraphs!!!! It can be the best story in the world but if it is in one big paragraph, I won't read it!!

[Andrea]

It has to have paragraphs!!!!

My thoughts exactly. I also lose interest very quickly. The story I'm reading has to be catching from the very first sentence. I believe that the first sentences in any story have to original, catchy, because they are introducing the audience to the story. If I don't find the first paragraph appealing, it is very likely that I'll lose interest.

There is also something that I like in the perspective in which the story is written. Sometimes, when a story is written from a first person, I feel like dragged into the plot. Though, when it's written in third person, the language and syntax in which is written have to be subtle and appealing.

And like Goldberry said, the Title. If you have a crappy title, there is a high percentage people will either ignore the story and scroll down, or think the story is as crappy as its title.

[Shaoli]

Summary's more important than the title. i ignore fics that resort to "i suck at summaries, just read". They probably suck at writing, too.

Paragraphs, pacing, grammar, writing style. i can drop a story halfway into a paragraph. i'm also a very heartless critic, so i guess it's a good thing i don't read them all the way through and then cut the fic to pieces in the review.

[Andrea]

"i suck at summaries, just read". They probably suck at writing, too.

This is so true.

[trekkiexb5]

I agree.

It has to have a tag, either in the title or the summary that is good. If the fic is so good but they can't summerize it up, why don't they use a quote from their own story? Many of the best fics I have read have done exactly that.