Thoughts on Parody Names in Stories?

[WittyUserName]

When I started posting on Literotica, I decided that my stories existed in a world without STI's. It's fantasy, STI's suck, it made sense. People seem alright with it. I've received a few comments mentioning that certain actions would result in STI's, but most people didn't complain.

Something else I did was avoid mentioning real companies, pop culture, etc... I know there's no legal issue, but it seemed right to me. Over time, my stories grew and I wanted to put in more of real life and less sex. I'm still working on getting that right! Either way, I fleshed out the universe I created.

To do this, I made parodies of certain popular media. For example, instead of Grey's Anatomy, I created something called "Hospital Doctors in Love" or "HDL." This was helpful in a couple ways. For example, I have never watched a single episode of Grey's Anatomy. I didn't want to watch an entire damn series just to comment on it. So, I made up my own and I can say whatever I want happened. I had two people arguing; one likes HDL, one likes the show Planet Trek Wars(I assume you can guess what that's a parody of). I had a fun argument where they discussed how unrealistic they both were. I've also never watched Star Trek, so I couldn't make that seem realistic without making things up that didn't happen in the actual show. Another reason is that the main character from HDL is a famous fictional actor, and I had him actually appear in the story.

Oh, I also have a few different story lines, stories where the characters are not related to each other in any way. I'll mention the new characters like a series I brought up in the first story as a way to show they all share the same universe.

Most people seem to like this, but I've had a few people comment that this breaks the immersion for them. One person sent me a scathing email about how unprofessional it was and how I need to just use the proper names(Star Trek, Grey's Anatomy). I was wondering what other writers think? I don't think it's wrong to mention Star Trek, but I don't see a real issue with what I did. I realize not everyone will like it, but well, that would be true no matter what I wrote.

Thoughts?

-Witty

 

[TheWritingGroup]

In my stories, I often use stand-in companies to avoid naming real ones, like "Quarry" for "Target" and "Ishmaels" for "Starbucks".

-Annie

 

[AwkwardMD]

When I started posting on Literotica, I decided that my stories existed in a world without STI's. It's fantasy, STI's suck, it made sense. People seem alright with it. I've received a few comments mentioning that certain actions would result in STI's, but most people didn't complain.

Something else I did was avoid mentioning real companies, pop culture, etc... I know there's no legal issue, but it seemed right to me. Over time, my stories grew and I wanted to put in more of real life and less sex. I'm still working on getting that right! Either way, I flushed out the universe I created.

To do this, I made parodies of certain popular media. For example, instead of Grey's Anatomy, I created something called "Hospital Doctors in Love" or "HDL." This was helpful in a couple ways. For example, I have never watched a single episode of Grey's Anatomy. I didn't want to watch an entire damn series just to comment on it. So, I made up my own and I can say whatever I want happened. I had two people arguing; one likes HDL, one likes the show Planet Trek Wars(I assume you can guess what that's a parody of). I had a fun argument where they discussed how unrealistic they both were. I've also never watched Star Trek, so I couldn't make that seem realistic without making things up that didn't happen in the actual show. Another reason is that the main character from HDL is a famous fictional actor, and I had him actually appear in the story.

Oh, I also have a few different story lines, stories where the characters are not related to each other in any way. I'll mention the new characters like a series I brought up in the first story as a way to show they all share the same universe.

Most people seem to like this, but I've had a few people comment that this breaks the immersion for them. One person sent me a scathing email about how unprofessional it was and how I need to just use the proper names(Star Trek, Grey's Anatomy). I was wondering what other writers think? I don't think it's wrong to mention Star Trek, but I don't see a real issue with what I did. I realize not everyone will like it, but well, that would be true no matter what I wrote.

Thoughts?

-Witty

You already know the answers to these questions. Carry on.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Most people seem to like this, but I've had a few people comment that this breaks the immersion for them. One person sent me a scathing email about how unprofessional it was and how I need to just use the proper names(Star Trek, Grey's Anatomy). I was wondering what other writers think? I don't think it's wrong to mention Star Trek, but I don't see a real issue with what I did. I realize not everyone will like it, but well, that would be true no matter what I wrote.

As you've discovered, what's hilarious for you is a death cringe for the next person. If your parody name is so blatantly obvious, why bother? In erotica, why bother at all? Is it really funny? What's it adding to the story?

Really clever wit is delivered with a careless grace, delivered with panache. It's the difference between the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges, when a kick and slap will do the trick. Sadly, it sounds like you might be Moe, not Groucho.

Erotica doesn't need to be deadly serious, and there's always room for laughter, but the balance is hard to get right. If one person comments, it's an opinion, if two people comment it's a trend. If you're getting emails, I'd say it's time to pay attention.

 

[WittyUserName]

As you've discovered, what's hilarious for you is a death cringe for the next person. If your parody name is so blatantly obvious, why bother? In erotica, why bother at all? Is it really funny? What's it adding to the story?

Really clever wit is delivered with a careless grace, delivered with panache. It's the difference between the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges, when a kick and slap will do the trick. Sadly, it sounds like you might be Moe, not Groucho.

Erotica doesn't need to be deadly serious, and there's always room for laughter, but the balance is hard to get right. If one person comments, it's an opinion, if two people comment it's a trend. If you're getting emails, I'd say it's time to pay attention.

I'm not trying to be funny with the names. I made a universe, and most people do seem to like the parody names. I was mostly curious what other authors thought. I definitely pay attention to feedback and have made changes because of it. For this? I think it makes more sense. I haven't seen the series I'm referencing, so it's easier to have the fictional ones.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'm not trying to be funny with the names. I made a universe, and most people do seem to like the parody names. I was mostly curious what other authors thought. I definitely pay attention to feedback and have made changes because of it. For this? I think it makes more sense. I haven't seen the series I'm referencing, so it's easier to have the fictional ones.

It is, I agree, but it sounds like you've taken a four-by-two plank of wood approach. Your readers are giving you the answer; you've asked what other writers think, and you've got the same answer from two of us. Get to the end of the day, and count em up, you'll know for sure.

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't see that you've done anything wrong at all. This is just chapter 4,759,166 in "You can't please everybody and you shouldn't try."

There's nothing inherently wrong with using real entity or brand names, but I agree with you that sometimes it feels better to use an alternative. For instance, I wrote a story about a woman who had an "OnlyFun" account. I changed the name because I wanted to convey the idea that she was doing something similar to OnlyFans but I didn't want its features to be bound by the real thing. I didn't want some idiot telling me "OnlyFans doesn't do it that way."

The one constraint: don't get too cute about it. Don't let the name changes get too distracting. Other than that, I think you have a perfectly legitimate basis for doing what you are doing.

 

[WittyUserName]

It is, I agree, but it sounds like you've taken a four-by-two plank of wood approach. Your readers are giving you the answer; you've asked what other writers think, and you've got the same answer from two of us. Get to the end of the day, and count em up, you'll know for sure.

Agreed. The stories are rated very highly and most people seem to approve of the choice. So, I'll continue as I have been. That was my plan anyway, since the change would be a ton of work. I was just curious if others did things this way.

 

[YmaOHyd]

I'm fine using the real names of big stuff. Towns and cities, network TV shows, movies, big retail chains -- there's no point to me in changing Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan to Space Discovery: Angry Antagonists in Time, unless I specifically want to do something with that change. I'd also be fine having a character compare another character to a real celebrity. I wouldn't have that celebrity show up in the story, though; if I wanted a movie star to appear I'd invent one.

I guess the question is why you're doing it. If it's because you want Space Discovery to have different plots and characters and actors, that's fine. What information are you conveying, what extra entertainment value are you providing by doing it?

Personally, I think the answer 'I don't know anything about Grey's Anatomy' is fine. I don't want my characters to only be interested in the things I'm interested in, but I also don't want to spend four hours watching TV shows I don't like, or getting into Youtube or TikTok, as research.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

No parodies in names here, either. I use all kinds of local landmarks in my stories. People that been to Austin seem to appreciate it.

 

[WittyUserName]

I don't see that you've done anything wrong at all. This is just chapter 4,759,166 in "You can't please everybody and you shouldn't try."

There's nothing inherently wrong with using real entity or brand names, but I agree with you that sometimes it feels better to use an alternative. For instance, I wrote a story about a woman who had an "OnlyFun" account. I changed the name because I wanted to convey the idea that she was doing something similar to OnlyFans but I didn't want its features to be bound by the real thing. I didn't want some idiot telling me "OnlyFans doesn't do it that way."

The one constraint: don't get too cute about it. Don't let the name changes get too distracting. Other than that, I think you have a perfectly legitimate basis for doing what you are doing.

"OnlyFun" is a clever name. I used "SeeMe" instead of OnlyFans. I've never been on the real site and no nothing about how it works beyond the very basics.

I agree, you can't please everyone. I'm just surprised by how upset people seem to get about it. Then again, I've seen some weird complaints.

 

[SimonDoom]

It is, I agree, but it sounds like you've taken a four-by-two plank of wood approach. Your readers are giving you the answer; you've asked what other writers think, and you've got the same answer from two of us. Get to the end of the day, and count em up, you'll know for sure.

Not from me. I think the OP is correct to do what he's doing, and as he said himself:

Most people seem to like this, but I've had a few people comment that this breaks the immersion for them.

So, the majority is on his side.He's received a few of the usual quarrelsome comments that we all get -- responses that one is almost always better off ignoring.

 

[WittyUserName]

No parodies in names here, either. I use all kinds of local landmarks in my stories. People that been to Austin seem to appreciate it.

I do use some local landmarks, real colleges, etc... I did one story set in Maine involving climbing a very famous mountain. I used the real names and people seemed to like it. I did use fictional television shows still.

 

[SimonDoom]

I agree, you can't please everyone. I'm just surprised by how upset people seem to get about it. Then again, I've seen some weird complaints.

Tell me about it! We all do.

The squeaky wheel, as they say, gets the grease, but remember: there's a reason it's squeaking.

 

[WittyUserName]

I'm fine using the real names of big stuff. Towns and cities, network TV shows, movies, big retail chains -- there's no point to me in changing Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan to Space Discovery: Angry Antagonists in Time, unless I specifically want to do something with that change. I'd also be fine having a character compare another character to a real celebrity. I wouldn't have that celebrity show up in the story, though; if I wanted a movie star to appear I'd invent one.

I guess the question is why you're doing it. If it's because you want Space Discovery to have different plots and characters and actors, that's fine. What information are you conveying, what extra entertainment value are you providing by doing it?

Personally, I think the answer 'I don't know anything about Grey's Anatomy' is fine. I don't want my characters to only be interested in the things I'm interested in, but I also don't want to spend four hours watching TV shows I don't like, or getting into Youtube or TikTok, as research.

Yeah, I only have so much time to dedicate to this hobby. I can't spend hours upon hours researching a television show I have no desire to watch just to avoid "Well, that never happened in Grey's Anatomy!"

 

[ChuckWolf]

I'm fine with that; there are many reasons you might want to do this.

One of the main characters in a story I recently posted, was based on a 1970's TV sitcom actress; if I'd used the ACTUAL actress, I think it'd make the story dated and readers would be distracted by the fact that she'd have to be in her 70's (or older) when the story takes place. Also, I took liberties in my version being very sexualized.

 

[YmaOHyd]

Yeah, I only have so much time to dedicate to this hobby. I can't spend hours upon hours researching a television show I have no desire to watch just to avoid "Well, that never happened in Grey's Anatomy!"

Personally I just use Wikipedia. Pick an episode or two, decide those are the character's favorite, and read a review of those. If/when I have to have someone care about streamers, I'll just invent those, because fuck if I know who any of them are.

No parodies in names here, either. I use all kinds of local landmarks in my stories. People that been to Austin seem to appreciate it.

I'll use local landmarks but not local businesses or establishments, unless they've achieved landmark status on their own. The New River Gorge Bridge, fine. Specifically naming the liquor store at the corner of this street and that street, ehhhh. That doesn't feel great.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'll use local landmarks but not local businesses or establishments, unless they've achieved landmark status on their own. The New River Gorge Bridge, fine. Specifically naming the liquor store at the corner of this street and that street, ehhhh. That doesn't feel great.

That's my technique for pointing in the wrong direction. Australia doesn't have many large cities, most of them share a whole bunch of street names, nearly all have a river or a harbour (which is why they're where they are in the first place) so you can vague up your geography yet still keep it sounding real.

 

[YmaOHyd]

That's my technique for pointing in the wrong direction. Australia doesn't have many large cities, most of them share a whole bunch of street names, nearly all have a river or a harbour (which is why they're where they are in the first place) so you can vague up your geography yet still keep it sounding real.

I won't name something if I don't have to -- it's just "the highway" not "the 5" or "I-10" or whatever. Otherwise I'll pick a random municipality and grab names from that; I like ones that are two degrees less generic than Elm Street.

 

[Nynah]

One person sent me a scathing email about how unprofessional it was and how I need to just use the proper names(Star Trek, Grey's Anatomy).

Assuming that you're talking about your work on Lit, you can point out to this person that "unprofessional" doesn't really apply since none of us are being paid to post our stories here so you can use whatever you want.

 

[WittyUserName]

Assuming that you're talking about your work on Lit, you can point out to this person that "unprofessional" doesn't really apply since none of us are being paid to post our stories here so you can use whatever you want.

I am talking about Lit. I do not get paid for any writing, it's just a hobby. I'll offer them a full refund of their purchase price.

 

[DreamingOfMyEx]

When I started posting on Literotica, I decided that my stories existed in a world without STI's. It's fantasy, STI's suck, it made sense. People seem alright with it. I've received a few comments mentioning that certain actions would result in STI's, but most people didn't complain.

Something else I did was avoid mentioning real companies, pop culture, etc... I know there's no legal issue, but it seemed right to me. Over time, my stories grew and I wanted to put in more of real life and less sex. I'm still working on getting that right! Either way, I flushed out the universe I created.

To do this, I made parodies of certain popular media.
etc etc etc ...

Thoughts?

-Witty

As a writer (you, not me) I thought you might be interested in knowing ... The title of the tread is about "parody names" and you devoted your opening paragraph exclusively to STI's and a Universe you created in which they (whatever they are) don't exist. Not being that familiar with popular culture, my first thought was that it's pretty standard to identify the meaning of an abbreviation or acronym right up front and it can be frustrating when they don't. Reading as much as I do, I know there are a lot of people out there writing things who don't seem to understand this very basic concept.

So anyway, I looked up STI to see what it might possibly be an abbreviation for other than Sexually Transmitted Infection. The first thousand or so results I got were all about Sexually Transmitted Infections. So I'm guessing that's what you're talking about in the first paragraph.

You're looking for a parody name for Sexually Transmitted Infections? As would be used in Gray's Anatomy, or in the Star Trek universe?

Anyway, the answer to your question is about everything you talked about other than STI's is -- "it depends". As for STI's, a few parody names already exist.

 

[Bamagan]

At some point, use of parody names can get to be a chore, if it leaves me having to decode the text to understand some in-universe joke. It creates a similar kind of accessibility problem one often finds in fantasy and science fiction, where the author has invented a lot of special vocabulary for the reader to learn in order to make sense of the story. If it's truly necessary in order to understand the story being told, it can come off as authorial laziness, since it kind of pushes the 'burden' of doing research to the reader.
I understand not wanting to learn all about Star Trek or whatever in order to have characters talk about it, or be bound by the minutiae of the lore, but at the same time, it kind of defeats the purpose of name-dropping real-life references if you then have to explain the differences in the content in your own universe. Rather than helping the reader immerse themselves in the story by making the world seem real, it can serve as a reminder that it's fake, because they may have to remind themselves what it means every time they encounter such a reference.
There's also the potential issue of the readers not wanting to do any more work understanding the supposed context than the author did crafting it. If they encounter such references, they may assume that the author is depending on them knowing the nuances of the thinly-veiled name drops to some other IP in order to understand the plot of the story they're reading. If they don't, they may nope out or otherwise lose interest. The ones that actually do know the original property are the ones that probably get the most irritated, if they feel like the author was just trying to 'ride the coattails' of the more famous work without even bothering to get the details right.
All that being said, I love puns, so as long as the joke is self-contained in the altered title, I think it works fine. It's only when you have to explain the joke that it stops being funny, after all.

 

[WittyUserName]

As a writer (you, not me) I thought you might be interested in knowing ... The title of the tread is about "parody names" and you devoted your opening paragraph exclusively to STI's and a Universe you created in which they (whatever they are) don't exist. Not being that familiar with popular culture, my first thought was that it's pretty standard to identify the meaning of an abbreviation or acronym right up front and it can be frustrating when they don't. Reading as much as I do, I know there are a lot of people out there writing things who don't seem to understand this very basic concept.

So anyway, I looked up STI to see what it might possibly be an abbreviation for other than Sexually Transmitted Infection. The first thousand or so results I got were all about Sexually Transmitted Infections. So I'm guessing that's what you're talking about in the first paragraph.

You're looking for a parody name for Sexually Transmitted Infections? As would be used in Gray's Anatomy, or in the Star Trek universe?

Anyway, the answer to your question is about everything you talked about other than STI's is -- "it depends". As for STI's, a few parody names already exist.

Right, I started off by explaining my stories and that I write in my own universe. Hence the parody names...

 

[WittyUserName]

At some point, use of parody names can get to be a chore, if it leaves me having to decode the text to understand some in-universe joke. It creates a similar kind of accessibility problem one often finds in fantasy and science fiction, where the author has invented a lot of special vocabulary for the reader to learn in order to make sense of the story. If it's truly necessary in order to understand the story being told, it can come off as authorial laziness, since it kind of pushes the 'burden' of doing research to the reader.
I understand not wanting to learn all about Star Trek or whatever in order to have characters talk about it, or be bound by the minutiae of the lore, but at the same time, it kind of defeats the purpose of name-dropping real-life references if you then have to explain the differences in the content in your own universe. Rather than helping the reader immerse themselves in the story by making the world seem real, it can serve as a reminder that it's fake, because they may have to remind themselves what it means every time they encounter such a reference.
There's also the potential issue of the readers not wanting to do any more work understanding the supposed context than the author did crafting it. If they encounter such references, they may assume that the author is depending on them knowing the nuances of the thinly-veiled name drops to some other IP in order to understand the plot of the story they're reading. If they don't, they may nope out or otherwise lose interest. The ones that actually do know the original property are the ones that probably get the most irritated, if they feel like the author was just trying to 'ride the coattails' of the more famous work without even bothering to get the details right.
All that being said, I love puns, so as long as the joke is self-contained in the altered title, I think it works fine. It's only when you have to explain the joke that it stops being funny, after all.

Yeah, I made them pretty obvious so that you don't really have to work to discover what I'm talking about. "Planet Trek Wars"