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Posted: June 8, 2012

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Those tiny literature thumbnails--what makes you click to read more?

~pinballwitch Jun 8, 2012

Literature thumbnails on deviantART show a tiny scrap of text from the beginning of the piece--and if you hover your mouse, you get a tiny bit more.

What makes you click a thumbnail and keep reading?

From my writing group to-read pile in my message center, I've noticed that one thing that makes me want to keep reading is a nicely done description of the sky, even better if it ties in to character action/thoughts. (It's kind of weird. I just noticed this. But maybe that explains why I started last year's NaNoWriMo novel with a lightning storm?)

So I'm curious to find out--what makes you click?
(Alternatively, what makes you click the little "x" and say, "I don't have time for this"?)

Thanks!

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!yourdoom243 Jun 21, 2012 Professional Writer

Its pretty shallow but I usually click depending on the comments, and I am often still disappointed because I'm not a teenager nor necessarily a Classic Lit worshiper. I definitely would read a story about being modernly lit, but that's a change of semantics.

~pinballwitch Jun 22, 2012

Haha, your comment made me laugh

But I've definitely had that decision--"Hmm, should I read? Lots of comments..."--and then regretted my decision to click. Oh well.

Thanks for sharing!

*Quid-Ad-Mendacium Jun 17, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

I like to read on if the opening line is vague but specific - like if you directly commented on something that has not yet happened and then went on the talk about it

~pinballwitch Jun 17, 2012

Interesting. Thanks for sharing

^JZLobo Jun 16, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

Hard to say. Just so long as the few sentences I see provide a strong intro, I keep reading.

Actually I think the tiny thumb teaches writers a valuable lesson that they have to learn anyway: A strong, intriguing intro is necessary to draw in your readers. The thumb just frames it.

~pinballwitch Jun 17, 2012

Nice. Thanks for sharing

^JZLobo Jun 17, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

You're welcome!

~witch1978 Jun 16, 2012

Do not forget the possibility to add a Cover Artwork to your writing to get attention ... of course everyone says "Never judge a book by its cover" ... but lets be honest? What makes your fingers more itching to click for more on a literature group thumb? A gripping image? Or a few lines of Text?

Thoughts of a Witch I lie huddled in the corner of my dungeon cell. It is dark, it is cold; the air is moist and stinks. Pale light pours though a small barred window. I am alone. The straw on the floor stabs into my naked feet. The dirty sackcloth robe scratches at my bloody, abused and bruised skin. Everything hurts and throbs with numb pain. I know I will die soon.

I have confessed under the torture. I knew that it would seal my fate, but I could not stand the pain any more. I shiver and tremble as the memories of the unspeakable things they had done to me come back: Their cold hands and fingers touching my body everywhere in search for the mark. As they did

*DamonWakes Jun 18, 2012 Writer

I'd have to agree with LessThenPoet. I actually find the images off-putting because they're less representative of the story than the "few lines of text." Also, it's not immediately obvious that it is literature. I think there are some real problems with the dA cover images, which is a shame because I think there's a lot you can do with them. I really wish there was some way of having both: perhaps if the literature tag was included next to the image, and mouseover revealed the scrolling text.

You know what? I might actually suggest that to them.

!LessThenPoet Jun 16, 2012 Hobbyist Writer

I rarely ever click on the ones with pictures. I like to read a bit to get some kind of taste for the style.

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