What do you think about Popculture References in your Stories

[dasruedi]

So far I added a Reference to something in each of the three Chapters I released so far ( go look for them if you want: https://m.tapas.io/series/Necrotective/info ).
Some may be quite Niche as they are from Terry Pratchetts Disc World books or the game Darksouls, but I plan to carry this on as good as I can through upcoming Chapters. For all chapters if possible.
Do you also do something like that or do you think this breaks the fictional world as it makes it less convincing.

Tell me about your thoughts on this.

[WoollyPAR]

If there's something I really like that I want to pay homage to, then I'll go ahead and reference it. I just don't like references that just say "hey everyone look, it's a reference to a thing you know". Those stick out in a really bad way to me. Like any time in the last few years when some character was doing the floss.

[dasruedi]

My characters won't ever do the floss but I really try to weave them in to also hide them. For one I even used french to cover it up. French readers will know, but others may still be able to guess. I don't speak french tho,I just looked up what the name in the French Version of it's origin was.

[cherrystark]

Within reason, I think pop culture references are okay. People talk in references and idioms like saying "he Spiderman'd up the side of the building"; "she MacGyver'd an engine piece", or "he Hulk'd out". Yes, we can say "he climbed" or "she built" but the reference works as an adjective to show how the action was done or describe the mood/feeling of a subculture like referring to someone as "one of the Fox executives that canceled Firefly". If you know the cultural reference, you can understand the feeling that's implied. Knowing the pop culture references for the region your story takes place is important to take into account too since an American person might not be familiar with French pop culture references, etc.

On the other side, I think you definitely can overdo your references. A lot of people make references to Harry Potter in their work. The series isn't my cup of tea, but I can appreciate it when the occasional reference to calling someone a "Hufflepuff" comes up. The references can get tiresome however when the references don't stop. I don't read a lot of "nerd" fiction because every few sentences is a reference to another fandom. I'll even stop reading if the writer takes time to have two characters discuss the writer's favorite fandom.

[CttMaurice]

No none never, even when I put a show on T.V. it's never about any television show on right now, instead I make small references about other works I make. Sure, a little shameless but references to things outside just feel really jarring and unnecessary.

[GD_Cruz]

Hey, let me weigh in here.

I do this too, not just because I like the pop culture piece I'm referencing, but because I want to connect with my readers on an age level. hehe

But, I believe it was Toby Ziegler from the West Wing (see that, pop-culture reference ) that said something that makes me second guess doing this too much. I'm paraphrasing here: When you add pop-culture references into a piece of writing you immediately make it dated.

I honestly get that as there are some works that immediately feel dated when you reread them or rewatch them (looking at you HIMYM) and it doesn't feel as interesting as it did when it first came out. So I think that's something for you to be wary of if you put too much in.

Personally, I make use of references that stand the test of time like LOTR or Spider-Man, things that keep coming back every generation. Just my two cents. XD

[dasruedi]

Well I wouldn't call them by their names and as I said I weaved them in so they also make sense.
For example I used a quote from Darksouls, changed a word to make it fit into Necrotectives world and for those who don't know it, it basically says 'good bye and stay safe'.
Another one could just be some mysterious nonsense, the reader must not know about to understand what it's approximate purpose is and the last could just be the Title of a place that was chosen to sound fancy. If you know it, you'll notice, but if not, it's basically invisible as a reference.

[dasruedi]

If I had other works yet, I would do the same.

[dasruedi]

That's an interesting point, and that is basically also why I try to make the references basically invisible for those who don't know them. You might not see them as references if you don't know what they're referencing to.
I also have one from LOTR btw

[Kiweevil]

(post withdrawn by author, will be automatically deleted in 24 hours unless flagged)

[snowy]

My main characters are kids, which makes avoiding pop culture references in dialogue feel kinda unnatural.
Still, I do try to limit them. It can be a dumb move bringing up a story that's better than the one you're telling.

[kitschensyngk]

One of my pages in Nachos Con Carne chapter one originally had a Saved By The Bell reference (one of my characters, Terry Kupowski, shares a last name as one of the characters on the show - purely unintentional, since I never cared much for it). When I redid chapter one I decided to delete that reference, because I didn't find it as funny.

Meanwhile, if you're a fan of the 1966 Batman TV series (which I loved) you might notice a naming theme with the teachers on Terry's schedule.

Pop culture references are tricky. Sure, they can be funny NOW, but will they still be funny ten years from now?

[imagineemmajun]

Homages are great. I love spotting them and it gives me great satisfaction to discover one I know, especially if its for something I love but it is better when it's something subtle, like an action, mimicked scene or a catchphrase rather than namedropping.

Not all people are going to get it which is why the story has to work without that knowledge, but its a bonus for fans of the referenced work. In that sense you don't have to worry about dating something. If a scene of a characters mistaken identity is funny whether or not that the reader understands it is mimicking a scene in a tv show or other book doesn't matter. It's still funny. It just adds another level for the fans. Homages only feel dated when you specifically name the show and expect to get a reaction from the reader just for that.

[dasruedi]

Well that's exactly how I do it. I basically hide them so people who don't know them wouldn't even recognize them as references to something.

[GD_Cruz]

Everyone has one for LOTR... it's our holy grail. XD

Enjoy pop-culture referencing. And when all else fails, Spider-Man it.

[dasruedi]

well spiderman won't fit in my universe but LOTR does very well.

[GD_Cruz]

I'll read Necrotective. It sounds good. XD

[dasruedi]

I highly recommend that. And tell me if you found the references.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

I reference Metal and Hardcore culture. Not pop culture, because...that's been done to death and I don't much identity with it. I reference album covers in my drawings, song lyrics in dialogue and titles...that kind of thing.

[ar-ninetysix]

Metal kvlture, if you will