It's a fine line between clever and stupid

[gwyn]

So, say I have a friend who writes fanfic. And say my friend once wrote a line she liked in a story, and had thought briefly of using that line for her title, but abandoned it in favor of a clearer, more concise title. And say now my friend doesn't like the title of a new story, and wants to use that line from an old story as title for the new one. Would you laugh up your sleeve at my friend? Think she was a pretentious ass? Snicker about her in chat, remarking how pathetically in love with herself she is? Dismiss her?

My friend is a little flinchy -- just about every time she turns around people discuss things on lists like finding the use of epigrams from philosophers or intellectuals or great poets as pathetic and sad (and she's just, of course, written a story where she used a quote from Einstein as an epigram), or people mocking fic writers who tend towards the metaphorical, or what have you. They always say to my friend, "We don't mean you, we mean bad writers who do that," but my friend is dubious. She can see herself and her own stylistic quirks in a lot of rants and mockery, and is easily embarassed by anything even resembling acting like an arrogant fool.

Should my friend give it up?

Comments

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

And say now my friend doesn't like the title of a new story, and wants to use that line from an old story as title for the new one. Would you laugh up your sleeve at my friend? Think she was a pretentious ass? Snicker about her in chat, remarking how pathetically in love with herself she is? Dismiss her?

Depends. What's the line? ;)

or people mocking fic writers who tend towards the metaphorical, or what have you. They always say to my friend, "We don't mean you, we mean bad writers who do that," but my friend is dubious

Hey, I've seen stuff I've done mentioned in badfic rants (like having Willow squeak, for example, or the use of 'oh' in the middle of a sentence). Happens to everybody, and I figure it keeps me peering closely at my work to make it better, which is a good thing.

Bottom line is, when a good writer does it, it sells. When a bad writer does it, it tanks.

My advice to your friend? Write to please yourself, first.

Then ask someone you trust to tell you whether or not your work sucks. Someone who will tell you, if it does. I've had my dialog beta hand a scene back, saying, "This sucks. You can write better than this. Do it over." And she was right. And it was better for the rewrite.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I think I... she! She! isn't as worried about the writing quality (although of course the new story could be shit) as about thinking her writing is such hot stuff that of course pulling lines from her own stuff to use as a title is merited. I-- my friend! has got used to being pounded on about enough other things that slinging her own writing around makes her nervous, afraid that she's going to be held up to ridicule like she has so many time before with her peer group.

And yes, I know, I -- she! needs better friends. ;-)

[harmonyfb.livejournal.com]

I think I... she! She! isn't as worried about the writing quality (although of course the new story could be shit) as about thinking her writing is such hot stuff that of course pulling lines from her own stuff to use as a title is merited. I-- my friend! has got used to being pounded on about enough other things that slinging her own writing around makes her nervous, afraid that she's going to be held up to ridicule like she has so many time before with her peer group.

So what's the line? I'll tell you, I mean, her if it's too precious. :)

But honestly? Nothing wrong with using lines out of your own work for titles. I've got several lines I'm really, really proud of. I wouldn't hesitate to use them, if they'd translate for titles. Which they won't.

And yes, I know, I -- she! needs better friends.

Eh, just mock them back. ;)

Deep Thoughte By Morgan Dawn

[morgandawn.livejournal.com]

Me, my friend and I went walking down the street,
hopping from line to line, skipping with each beat,
when we turned the corner and imagine to our surprise,
we saw you and yourself walking in disguise.