New to the mailing list world? At the beginning, it can look threatening. However, here are some tips that will help you overcome that fear and become a posting wiz.
If you're sending in your own story, here are some pointers for your e-mail that will keep things clear and get people to read your story:
1. Title your subject with the title of your story.
In the subject of your e-mail, always have the title of your story and it's a good idea to also have what chapter it is. An example of this would be: Fic: Home is Where the Heart Is Part 5/? (If you don't know how many parts you plan on having because the story is a work in progress)
2. Have a clear rating.
There are some people out there under 17, y'know. Give a clear rating warning before starting the story. The rating system is just like the rating system for movies:
G -- Like a Disney movie; everyone can read, no matter what age
PG -- Again, suitable for almost everyone, maybe a few and very, very light romance scenes.
PG-13 -- Innuendo, language, violence -- anything that you would not want your own 10 year old to read.
R -- Sex and language and violence. Heavy R drifts more towards NC-17, but still not vivid enough to qualify.
NC-17 -- Vivid and very wordy sex or violence.
3. Have a disclaimer.
Having a clear disclaimer will keep Fox and anyone else off your back.
4. Have a summary.
Have a clear summary that will let people know what the story is about. Make it interesting and try to get everyone's attention.
5. If there are spoilers in the story, let people know that before they start reading.
Some people really don't like reading anything that gives hints towards what's to come on the show. If there are spoilers for future episodes, give clear warning for these people.
5. Want Feedback?
If you want feedback, it's a good idea to give an e-mail address. Even though you are on a mailing list where people can just hit reply, some want to send feedback off of the list and to you personally.
6. Let people know how YOUR write.
If you use certain marks for thoughts, other marks for emphasis on certain words, or marks for flashbacks -- whatever -- then let people know which is which so they don't get confused.
Here is an example of how to set up the beginning of your story in an e-mail (Or anywhere, for that matter) These pointers are a good idea for the beginning of any story, no matter where it is posted.
Home is Where the Heart Is By Rachel Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon, Twentieth Century
Fox Productions, UPN, Sandollar Television, and Mutant Enemy own BtVS. No
copyright infringements were intended. This is my story and not meant to copy
the show. Also, I don't own anything connected to the movie "Sweet Home
Alabama," which this story is loosely based on. Rating: PG-13 Summary: Buffy Anne Summers is having the time of her life. She's dating
Los Angeles' most popular and wanted bachelor, her art gallery is at the height
of its popularity, and she loves being in the public eye. When Angel O'Connor
proposes, there's only one problem: She's still married to William Giles!
(Loosely based on "Sweet Home Alabama.") Spoilers: NONE! This is completely an AU story...something I've never
done before, but figured I'd take a chance and see how things went. Author’s Notes: *________* Signifies stressed words. Scenes in bold are
flashbacks. Thoughts will be in italics. All the street names and business are
completely made up since I've never been to LA. Distribution: My site, Sinister Attraction, the groups I'm sending them
out to, and....anyone else, just as long as they ASK first! Feedback? OF COURSE! This is the first time I've ever written a fic set
in an alternate universe, and I'd really love to know what you all think about
it! Special Note: Thank you to my excellent and wonderful beta-reader,
Sandy! You're doing a great job honey! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lingo: Things you might see on
mailing lists:
WIP -- Work in Progress; a story
that has not been finished
TBC -- To Be Continued; there will
be another part after this one
B/S -- Buffy/Spike; a Buffy and
Spike relationship story
?/? -- Signifies a relationship
A/N -- Authors Notes; anything the
author would like to add at the beginning or end of the story
S&M, BDSM -- Warnings that there
is a very serious NC-17 rated story
R and R -- Read and review this
story
OT -- Off Topic; nothing to do
with a story
Slash -- Same sex relationship
pairing, like Willow/Tara
X -- Xander
W -- Willow
D -- Dawn
A -- Can be Anya or Andrew or
Angel, so read carefully
G -- Giles (Or Gunn in you're in
the Angel-verse)
F -- Faith or Fred
Also, check out the Fan Fiction Lingo for more terms
Did I miss anything? Want me to add something? Let me know!
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