thoughts on posting fiction online/in LJ

[mickeym]

Morning, y'all :) (Or, well, sorta. It's still morning somewhere, right?)

So I've been pondering the writing/posting thing again -- prompted in a way by the scads of 1/? posts I'm seeing lately, along with authors who seem to think that a story with Sam/Dean or Jared/Jensen with a rating of NC-17 requires a warning for m/m sex (or a detailed listing of everything they're going to do to each other). Or the notes wherein the author says "This isn't beta'd, so ignore all the errors, and by the way, it's complete crack!" or something to that effect.

While pondering, I find myself wondering if these aren't things that maybe the author(s) just don't think about, or realize might be off-putting, or maybe the author is very new to LJ/internet/fandom/all of the above.

I've been involved in online fandom as a reader since the spring of 1996. As a writer, since the fall of 1996. I remember the very laborious process of copying and pasting my WordPerfect document into the teeny tiny box that Usenet gave us for the messageboards, and later, adapting to posting things to mailing lists, and now, to LJ. I'm far from being the expert on all things fandom, butI like to think I know a thing or two about how to present a story to an audience to engage them, rather than make them run for the hills.

I'm wondering if a basic "how-to" primer would be useful -- and if anyone out there would be interested in participating in the project? What sorts of things do YOU, as a reader and/or writer, think should be included? Fannish writing terms (drabble, ficlet, fic)? Definitions? Samples of headers? Basic coding? How not to format your post? Things that should/shouldn't be included in author notes/headers? When a story should be posted as an on-going WIP vs. when it's better to wait?

I'm not talking about a primer on how to write. That's a whole 'nother kettle of fish. But I can't help but wonder if something like a 'how to post fanfiction' wouldn't be helpful, because there are an awful lot new fans flocking to LJ daily, and I suspect I'm probably missing out on some great stories simply because of the way the story is (or isn't) presented.

Thoughts? Comments? Willingness to assist in this project? Reasons why you think this is a bad idea? Hit me! (Also, feel free to link to this wherever; I'd love to see as much input as possible.)

Comments

[apetslife.livejournal.com]

I know I figured out how to format stories, etc. by simply READING. I saw how others were formatting and posting, and I copied them. Monkey see, monkey do. *grin* Part of me thinks this primer would be terriffic, and I would totally participate. The other part thinks that if they haven't picked it up from context cues, are they really going to read a primer?

Still, it would be a neat thing to have lying around, just to gently point newbies towards!

And THANK YOU for my flower! Eeeeee, I loves it! *HUGS*

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a lot of us learn by reading/seeing -- and I can't figure out why so many lately seem unable to do that.

Part of me thinks this primer would be terriffic, and I would totally participate. The other part thinks that if they haven't picked it up from context cues, are they really going to read a primer?

And that's a good point -- maybe they wouldn't. I don't know if it's even anything that'll get off the ground, though I did think it worth asking about, to gauge interest. Mostly I just wish I could read through headers without feeling my blood pressure rise from the things people feel compelled to WARN me about. Y'know? :)

And you're welcome :) *hugs back*

[apetslife.livejournal.com]

I have seen the most WACKY warnings lately, you're right. I mean, for me, warnings are for things like death, kink, drug use, anything triggery, y'know? Not slash, or swearing, or (I am not kidding) kissing. I totally get where you're coming from. *G*

[mickeym.livejournal.com]

Yes. IMO, 'warnings' should be for triggery things. Not for m/m sex (if it's a m/m pairing, then, buh?). Not for swearing, or kissing, or anal, or blowjobs, or rimming. I still haven't recovered from the first time I saw "rimming" listed in the warnings -- and that was last year some time. *g*

I told Matthew you might be staying with us, and he said "is her horse going to be here, too?" Heee!

Also, I don't remember now if I ever answered your question about driving from here to the horse park, but I'm pretty sure it's a straight shot across the Bluegrass Parkway, and yeah, it'd be about 75min. (depending on what time you got into Lexington, and how FAR into Lexington you have to go)

[apetslife.livejournal.com]

Dude, if we end up coming, you and Matthew really really should come to the horse park! It's so cool! He could pet the pony and maybe even take a ride! And I would totally stay with you at least one night, that's not such a bad ride. If I have an early morning event I'll just sleep in my car.

They're still working out details on shipping. Hopefully they'll find me a ride...getting ME there isn't the problem, but getting the pony there is going to be a huge deal. There are a couple of hopefuls, but one fell through. I will keep you updated!

(I'm using the icon of the pic of me and Dom from our LAST visit to the KHP. Oh, for the days when he had a rich mom and I was just the all-expenses-paid trainer!)

[winterweathered.livejournal.com]

The other part thinks that if they haven't picked it up from context cues, are they really going to read a primer?

Yes, this. I'd been in fandom for less than a month the first time I posted a story, and I had already figured this stuff out.