Writing.Com General Discussion

I love questions like this, because I have no idea how to answer.

I should say, I look at the genre, for a certainty. I don't read much poetry, or editorials. I'm mostly looking for fiction. So if i see "Short story, Thriller, Horror," that increases the odds that I will read the piece. I wouldn't say it determines what I will read, but it certainly determines what I won't read.

I'm guessing that a lot of the appeal in the description is happening on a subconscious level. I don't always read the back/or inside cover of a book before I pass it by at the store. I undoubtedly miss really great stories (both on WdC and in the broader world,) due to my impulsive selection process. This definitely makes me want to revise how I pick my reading.

On a slightly related note, I think naming stories is one of my biggest weaknesses as a writer. (At least that's what I tell myself, since it's probably an easy fix.) "Well, my story takes place in a swap... I'll call it the Swamp.) I have stories called "Movie Night, Trash Night (I was really on a role, there,) The Crystal Heart, The Bill of Sale, The Umbrella, The Tudor, and The Tollbooth. And you can guess what all of these stories are about...

I did have a reviewer tell me they almost passed over one of my stories (The Imperial Motor Court,) due to the name. Its really worth thinking about the name and brief description. Especially if you are looking to get your work out there and read.

Good topic.