Story summaries in posts

[q-dicted.livejournal.com]

First of all - I really appreciate this community. It has helped me many times and I have found some really great stories through other people's queries as well. Kudos.

I was wondering though, is there some way of asking for help with a specific story (rather than, say a genre) without giving away the entire plot in the process? It's great to jog the memories of those who can help, but kind of takes something away from the story-telling for those who may not have read it yet. Perhaps starting with a general description and then spoiler'ing the details that are obviously major plot points? A clunky solution but maybe somebody has a better idea.

Moderators: if this is not allowed, please delete, but I'm hoping maybe it can help the comm in general.

Comments

[ipitydaf00l.livejournal.com]

It is a fine line and I agree with what you said. I just thought of the time I requested fanfic and the only thing I could remember was Justin handcuffing Brian to the shower in order to detox him. It was a quick and easy find for everyone, but that's a major plot point. It doesn't provide the WHOLE story, but does tell someone what happens. I'm not sure how else I could have reworded that statement to not spoil that for anyone considering it was the only thing I remembered.

I think even knowing some of the plot points it doesn't ruin the story for me because while I may know those details I don't know the exact journey there. I've never looked at the end of the book to see "whodunnit" because most of the time I've already figured it out early on. I blame it on reading way too many murder mysteries that unless it's someone that isn't introduced until the last chapter I've pegged them early on.

Movie trailers though are sadly made to showcase the best parts of any film. It's a sad fact and in some cases (some of those cheesy comedies) are the only GOOD bits of the entire movie.

[q-dicted.livejournal.com]

I can't say that reading the big plot points has ever stopped me from reading a story either, but I do find myself 'waiting' all the time for them to happen instead of discovering them organically.

Argggh. Movie trailers. I literally cover my ears and go 'lalalalalala' if it's a film I really want to see. My friends love going to movies with me, I'm sure. *g*

[ipitydaf00l.livejournal.com]

Most of the time by time I read the story that I found here I've forgotten the spoiler parts by everything else going on and only noticing it listed in my "to read" fic list. :)

Not that I've read fanfic in months, mind you, but at one time I had a steady list started of various stories I hoped to read at some point in the future. I just stopped reading QAF Fanfic. Someday I may go back to it, but I still need more time.

--

I'm all sorts of Lol-ing over here about your experience in the theaters. There's been times that I've been sort of frustrated when something that I saw in a trailer wasn't actually in the movie itself. =/

Maybe I should stop watching them. Lol. D: