Are preambles / introductions useful

[LilyBright]

What do people think about introductions to stories - useful or no?

I see a lot of stories that have an intro usually along the lines of "this story includes AB+C. If you are looking for XY+Z, this story probably isn't for you."

Part of me appreciates not wanting to waste peoples time on something that isn't what they want, and to manage expectations, kind of like book jacket description or a movie trailer, but part of me thinks the category, title, tags and summary blurb should be enough.

Thoughts?

 

[StillStunned]

I've occasionally added a note along the lines of "this is a standalone story about pre-existing characters, here's all you need to know to enjoy this story". And once I warned about a twist in the story that I didn't want to spoil with tags or category choice.

Mostly, though, I figure that readers are either mature enough to decide if the story is for them, or else so immature that no warning will make any difference.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

I try to avoid them as much as possible, partly through spoilers and partly because the category and subtitle/tags should be visible. But if there's something important to note that isn't covered, I do occasionally add one.

 

[SimonDoom]

Generally speaking, I think the category, title, tags, and summary should be enough. I do not use preambles or warnings for my stories.

I want my reader to get immersed in the story as soon as possible. Preambles delay that.

 

[Voboy]

I put short blurbs up front so that the story is placed correctly in my “universe.” It’s as much to remind me as the readers. Also, for contest entries, I like to point out which contest the story is in, and encourage them to read the other writers’ work.

I don’t usually put in disclaimers. I think I did once or twice, early on.

 

[Bamagan]

I like them. Sometimes the title and blurb are all one needs, but enough authors passing through here have lamented on the difficulties of choosing those wisely, or how few characters are permitted there, that taking the time to say a little more, or say it more clearly instead of cleverly, can be helpful. Some of the categories have much more uniform content expectations than others, too, so they're more useful (in my opinion) in places like Fetish or Sci-Fi/Fantasy, which can cover a lot of kinks and themes.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Note that readers who come via lists of competition or challenge entries won't see the description or category until they open your story. And then it's in small print at the top above the story, with Tags only found by clicking on an obscure icon.

For some stories this may not be a problem, but can be worth providing a blurb,.including repeating the category and tags, if you include things that squick some readers.

 

[Dearelliot]

My last story had some very complicated characters that required more'n a few paragraphs to build, and since I decided to continue the story with part 2. Readers who haven't read the first story might struggle with my characters...So I'm working on a prelude...unsure how that will work.
I like them, but there seem to be many who don't.

 

[filthytrancendence]

I've gone back and forth on it. Recently I've been doing them, but I feel myself swinging back toward just forgetting them.

My impulse to include them is either (a) insecurity, which I've mostly avoided actually publishing at least, or (b) a desire to warn people of what I perceive to be some kind of break in expectations with the category.

But, ruminating on that more it seems to me that any rating-bomb mitigation you might achieve with a warning is probably offset by different idiots that bomb your ratings because you tried to warn them about it. It seems like those problems are insoluble, so probably the best option is to just immerse a reader immediately, come what may.

 

[Lumiere_Amie]

I'll sometimes add a note that all characters are over 18, more as a notification to Laurel so she doesn't kick it back. A few times I've told readers to like and comment, but I didn't see any added activity. The only time I felt truly compelled to add a preamble was when I wrote an incest chapter in the middle of a series. I wanted to advise my followers to avoid the chapter of the topic bothered them.

 

[Writer61]

I normally include a reference to the main theme, a story's position in the series and whether it is necessary to read them in sequence.

Because of a rejection due to underage characters (incorrectly), I also state that all are over 18.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I also try to avoid them, and the few times that I have included a preamble, it was usually due to the story being a contest entry.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Part of me appreciates not wanting to waste peoples time on something that isn't what they want, and to manage expectations, kind of like book jacket description or a movie trailer, but part of me thinks the category, title, tags and summary blurb should be enough.

I wouldn't bother with a preamble for things that are adequately conveyed by the category, title and summary. For other things, I might. Wasting people's time is less of a consideration than leaving a bad taste in their mouths; one of my stories deals with debilitating illness and the death of a spouse, and I don't want to ambush hapless Romance readers with content that's considerably more downbeat than the norm for the category.

Tags are less of a consideration; while I do fill them in, I don't depend on people seeing them, and I think they're generally better suited to advertising "why you might want to read this" than for warning "why you might not".

Intros can also be good for setting expectations on things like how often the story will be updated.

 

[yowser]

I've gone back and forth on it. Recently I've been doing them, but I feel myself swinging back toward just forgetting them.

My impulse to include them is either (a) insecurity, which I've mostly avoided actually publishing at least, or (b) a desire to warn people of what I perceive to be some kind of break in expectations with the category.

But, ruminating on that more it seems to me that any rating-bomb mitigation you might achieve with a warning is probably offset by different idiots that bomb your ratings because you tried to warn them about it. It seems like those problems are insoluble, so probably the best option is to just immerse a reader immediately, come what may.

I agree with how you have framed this. This discussion comes up fairly regularly, and AH authors tend to fall into opposing camps. I am in the No/Minimalist sector, with one or two exceptions (a sentence announcing a piece is for a contest/challenge, for example, seems fine).

Two observations. If you are going to do this, keep this in mind: make it intelligent (and yes, not insecure) and short. I find a longish (and especially self-obsessed) prelude an irritating turn-off. Let the story do the talking. I also agree with your third point that a preamble can serve as a bullseye on your story to attract the negative.

 

[filthytrancendence]

one of my stories deals with debilitating illness and the death of a spouse, and I don't want to ambush hapless Romance readers

I get the impulse there. I've done it too. But surely this is the kind of thing you could and probably should telegraph with the title?

 

[MelissaBaby]

I've occasionally added a note along the lines of "this is a standalone story about pre-existing characters, here's all you need to know to enjoy this story". And once I warned about a twist in the story that I didn't want to spoil with tags or category choice.

Mostly, though, I figure that readers are either mature enough to decide if the story is for them, or else so immature that no warning will make any difference.

I agree. As needed. For example, when I set a story in Montreal, I added an explanation that the characters were bilingiual, but that all dialogue would be in English. But ordinarily, it's best to just get to the story.

(Ironically, my WIP starts with an in-story introduction that is part of the narrative.)

 

[Bramblethorn]

I get the impulse there. I've done it too. But surely this is the kind of thing you could and probably should telegraph with the title?

Is it, though?

There was a time when one could give a story a title like "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother) Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and died a Penitent" but that kind of title's not really in fashion these days, and I don't think "AI Era: The Spouse Dies of Early-Onset Dementia" would have gone down well.

 

[JudyOfOregon]

i'm new & have published 2 stories. tags are key but there's a problem w 2 word tags like "gangbang" or "blowjob". site prefers 2 words, i prefer one. just check the story-tags-portal for the most frequently used in your category. the category + tags is sufficient for a reader unless there's a dependency or backstory elsewhere.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

As you've already seen, there isn't any real consensus on it.
I think it's appropriate if you're going to do something that might be really put of category but otherwise I don't use them.
That said, my stories are pretty tame by lit standards.

 

[WendyTrilby]

I like to start with a bit of foreplay—a preamble where I slip in all the extra tags I wish I could include, if the official list weren’t so frustratingly limited to ten. My stories tend to wander off the well-lit path and into darker, more sensitive places—places where boundaries blur and every nerve ending is fair game. Not everyone’s ready for that kind of exploration, so those bonus tags serve as a gentle tease... a whispered hint of what's to come.

Personally, I love slipping into a story blindfolded, letting the writer guide me into some forbidden, locked room where pleasures are unfamiliar, but oh so delicious. When it works—when it hits just right—I find myself coming back, again and again, eager to feel that slow burn or sudden jolt that only a bold, confident author can deliver.

Just like the erotica in the stories we write, sometimes the foreplay helps, sometimes it's just getting in the way. I want to help you when you come to my stories, so I dangle a few images. However, when it comes to your stories, I have no qualms about diving directly into yours.

 

[filthytrancendence]

Is it, though?

There was a time when one could give a story a title like "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother) Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and died a Penitent" but that kind of title's not really in fashion these days, and I don't think "AI Era: The Spouse Dies of Early-Onset Dementia" would have gone down well.

Not saying you have to, or even that it's necessarily the correct path. But yes, it is.

I can think of a couple singular words that successfully telegraph this warning. It's not necessary to make the title long in order to do it, but it would of course be necessary to devote part of the title to it. I'd definitely understand if somebody didn't want to go that route. Everybody has different workflows around creating titles, and sometimes you just get really attached to one. Just offering an alternative to explicitly stating the warning before the story begins.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

As a reader, more than a paragraph feels like a drag, unless it’s somehow witty or thought-provoking, and sets me in a good mood or more intrigued to continue reading on.

 

[AlinaX]

Reasons for a preamble:

• Content warning: Keep it brief.
• Acknowledgement: This story is based on idea by...
• Cross-reference: This story is part of the Tom series in the Dick universe, and features Harry from another story as a minor character.
• Apology: This story is daft, for X, Y & Z reasons.

Not reasons for a preamble:

• This story is set blah blah blah

 

[MelissaBaby]

i'm new & have published 2 stories. tags are key but there's a problem w 2 word tags like "gangbang" or "blowjob". site prefers 2 words, i prefer one.

Why not use both?

 

[TheLobster]

I share the @yowser's stance on preamble minimalism. In my stories, if they did have a preamble, I haven't really included anything that wasn't:

• a note that the story was written for a contest or event (Laurel will often, though not always, change the event name into a link that goes to the story list for the event in question)
• a thank-you note to a beta reader and/or editor
• shote note denoting the stories place within a broader continuity (if it doesn't have numbering in the title already)
• acknowledgement of inspiration by some other author's work

These are the things that would normally be included in the frontispiece of a book, so I feel it's justified to reproduce them in an electronic medium.