I’ve passed 47,000 words now on Wraith of Talera, the fourth Taleran book. This will mark the start
of a new duology. By now, as is probably common with Sword and Planet kinds of
series, I’ve built up a tremendous amount of information about the planet
Talera. I keep what I call a “Taleran Encyclopedia,” which has details on
characters, races, plants and animals, language, cities and countries, games,
religions etc. I need it to keep everything straight.
At some point in many fantasy series, the author includes an
appendix or two at the end of a volume providing at least some of this kind of
information to the readers. It’s in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Alan Burt
Akers did it for Kregen. There’s something like it for the Barsoom series by
ERB. I personally like it when such things are included and was thinking about
adding such an appendix to this fourth book. Here’s an example of a potential entry, as it exists
in my current “encyclopedia.”
Curse words and phrases: There are many more:
Dahh – Generally
translated as Damn.
Dihmus
vishka – Possible translation is “god in heaven.”
Krutt – Used as a curse because the habits of the insect are so disgusting to
many.
Lart – Rodent
(You Rat). Generally considered a mild
curse.
Ruck
(Ruckers) – Worthless ones.
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Est Yaal shei = go to hell.
Ivid Yaal shei = What the hell?
Sae Yaal shei = Oh hell, or, by hell.
What do you think? Would you enjoy such a thing? Does
it seem superfluous, or like an interesting element that increases the
believability factor for the stories.
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As I noted on Facebook, I find such things interesting and useful. As a series goes on and becomes longer, some small details may slip my mind, and an appendix is a good way to refresh the memory.
ReplyDeleteSince you've created new words, I think it would be very helpful. Sometimes a list of people and places helps as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think this is a great addition to a series. It would be appreciated by anyone who reads the books. It might even draw some people into reading them.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I know how to curse in Taleran :)
Krutt!
But I need a pronunciation guide for Est Yaal shei
A young Author ncurrentlybeing lauded for his book set in a place he's never been, with a protagonist of a different race and experience said he did a lot of research. "It doesn't all make it to the page, but it makes it into the writer.". Or some such. Comforted me about the research that is 'wasted'
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, your fans would love out:-)
Aloha
Would love it
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, yes, do an Appendix!
ReplyDeleteCharles, with original words like these it'd be a good idea to have an appendix. What was the response to the first three Taleran books which, I assume, didn't have an appendix?
ReplyDeleteThat is totally cool! Yes, I would enjoy that. As a reader it would also help me understand. As an aside, I hate it when authors slip in phrases or quotes in another language with no translation.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I think so too. I always make note of which series book has that kind of thing in it so I can refer back when needed.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I've been putting a character list in since the beginning but the other stuff I haven't
Aimless, a pronunciation guide is a good idea.
Cloudia, I have a lot of fun coming up with this stuff anyway.
Sphinx, It looks like the votes aer solidly for it.
Prashant, no appendix in the first three books but I did include footnotes in places. This would take the place of that.
Riot Kitty, if the alien word is clear from context, like a curse, I don't mind. but otherwise I do want to know what the phrase means.
I'm always into that kind of thing when it's provided.
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds like a great idea for readers. If I'm into a series enough to read all four books, I would definitely enjoy an appendix that provides additional insight and new information.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about publishing the encyclopedia as a whole separate volume? I bet there would be a good market for that among Talera readers.
- Greg
As a younger reader, I loved such details, but nowadays I tend to skim them at best. Doesn't mean there's not a market for such material. Fans would probably love it. I've even considered releasing a stand-alone encyclopedia of my fantasy world.
ReplyDeleteChris, cool. Another vote for pro!
ReplyDeleteGreg, I think those kinds of things, companions to series, are usually only published when someone or their series gets really big and well known. Although I could do it sometimes as a 99 cent ebook for fans certainly. That's an idea.
Ty, I hadn't thought of a standalone encyclopedia until you and Greg mentioned it. It's definitely an idea.
It might be coming down to a point where you have no choice but to include it. How much new language are you coming up with? The more you make the more necessary it becomes.
ReplyDeleteI would have no problem with it, in fact, I would probably use it while I was reading the books.
ReplyDeleteMark, there's quite a bit of new language in the whole series. I generally explain the first time in context or give an actual explanation, but I may use the new words again later so a good reference would help.
ReplyDeleteG. B., I always have fun coming up with the stuff too.
I'm with Lisa, do it!
ReplyDeleteDeka, will do!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds good an proper to me. The readers have to know what you are writing or it becomes gibberish.
ReplyDeleteseems to work for some tales - would work here, methinks....
ReplyDeleteOscar, thanks. I hope it will be fun for some at least.
ReplyDeleteI am always grateful for any help I can get with a novel set in another time, place. Or a huge cast of characters. I could sure uses one for Game of Thrones.
ReplyDeletePatti, I'm sure there's probably a Game of Thrones companion book in the works.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea to publish the encyclopedia as an adjunct to the novels. U can put it out there as an e-book without a lot of risk.
ReplyDeleteCool - I always appreciate and read those types of things in books.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing about such appendices is that - as a reader, I get this prejudice that the author hasn't told the story well enough if I need to keep flipping to the back of the book to understand things.
ReplyDeleteNow, that you explain it is a matter of a long running series building up all this data, I see it a different light. That is something different from say, book one of a projected series loaded with an appendix. That also makes me wonder if the author is not deft at disseminating backstory but they also a want to avoid up-front data dumping.
So, I think maybe a separate concordance might be better for such a body of data.
I think it's a great idea to include an appendix or similar; and in this case, it's also got humor to carry things along quickly.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I could do that. would have to coordinate with the publisher. I might look into that.
ReplyDeleteRK, I like them too.
Paul, good point. I'm thinking most of it is pretty well explained in the book itself but the entries provide some further details and also background for the first three books. I'll have to look at exactly how I'm using the entries.
Erik, humor is always a nice addition.
I like the idea of the appendix. I'm happy you're making good progress in the 4th book, especially with our enemy time attaining warp speed all too frequently. :)
ReplyDeleteI love a good appendix. Peter Jackson is getting 3 movies out of The Hobbit by raiding Tolkien's appendix material.
ReplyDelete