Glossary in my book
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While writing my book, I have noticed that not a lot of people, that read my draft understand half of the things I'm talking about. So I added a glossary at the end that they could reference via a link directly there.
I do tons of research for this book, many of the things I have included into it involve Latin words, scientific names, and many other complicated words that no normal person would know off the top of their head.
And I noticed, that as I add to the list, I retain more and more information about what I'm writing, so I don't have to keep looking the same things up all the time.
My question is: will people be more willing to read my work if I clarify things using this glossary?
creative-writing novel glossaries
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up vote
1
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favorite
While writing my book, I have noticed that not a lot of people, that read my draft understand half of the things I'm talking about. So I added a glossary at the end that they could reference via a link directly there.
I do tons of research for this book, many of the things I have included into it involve Latin words, scientific names, and many other complicated words that no normal person would know off the top of their head.
And I noticed, that as I add to the list, I retain more and more information about what I'm writing, so I don't have to keep looking the same things up all the time.
My question is: will people be more willing to read my work if I clarify things using this glossary?
creative-writing novel glossaries
Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
3
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday
|
show 4 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
While writing my book, I have noticed that not a lot of people, that read my draft understand half of the things I'm talking about. So I added a glossary at the end that they could reference via a link directly there.
I do tons of research for this book, many of the things I have included into it involve Latin words, scientific names, and many other complicated words that no normal person would know off the top of their head.
And I noticed, that as I add to the list, I retain more and more information about what I'm writing, so I don't have to keep looking the same things up all the time.
My question is: will people be more willing to read my work if I clarify things using this glossary?
creative-writing novel glossaries
While writing my book, I have noticed that not a lot of people, that read my draft understand half of the things I'm talking about. So I added a glossary at the end that they could reference via a link directly there.
I do tons of research for this book, many of the things I have included into it involve Latin words, scientific names, and many other complicated words that no normal person would know off the top of their head.
And I noticed, that as I add to the list, I retain more and more information about what I'm writing, so I don't have to keep looking the same things up all the time.
My question is: will people be more willing to read my work if I clarify things using this glossary?
creative-writing novel glossaries
creative-writing novel glossaries
asked 2 days ago
Aspen the Artist and Author
662223
662223
Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
3
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday
|
show 4 more comments
Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
3
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday
Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
3
3
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
2
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
2
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday
|
show 4 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
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up vote
4
down vote
Ideally the glossary should not be necessary - try to write in such a way that on the one hand, those who don't already have the intuitive understanding from the words themselves will be able to glean it from the context, but on the other hand, don't browbeat your audience.
It boils down to which audience you are writing for. Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock wrote to a general common denominator of reasonably educated average folk. Their works are very popular even though discussing esoteric matters because it's accessible. Still, if you read the opening pages of "Jewel in the Skull" it's horribly tired, trite, and overly tropish by modern standards.
I say the only reason not to include a glossary is if your editor/publisher/agent say it will market better without it, but try not to rely on people actually reading it. Some pore over the appendices in LotR with glee, some will never crack those pages. YMMV.
New contributor
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
If you've ever studied a foreign language, you'd know how annoying it is to go check words in a dictionary; it breaks the flow of your reading, breaks the immersion, and sends you off to perform a "chore". A glossary is no different from a real dictionary in this regard - if your readers have to go search for a word, it breaks their flow, breaks their enjoyment of the book.
What you're writing should thus stand on its own right, no glossary needed. If you're introducing some made-up or very rare terms, they should be understood from context, or described / explained within the text - whatever better suits each particular case. (Consider, for example, how Tolkien explains what hobbits are, and lets you understand from context everything you need to know about orcs.)
One thing you should beware of is the trope called Calling a Rabbit a "Smeerp". That's when there's no real good reason to use an obscure term for something that has an English word. Your 'dryadalum', 'stella', 'inlustris', 'solis' and 'morbus' come to mind. Do you have a really good reason not to use 'elf', 'star' 'starlight' etc. instead? Remember also this xkcd:
(source)
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
A Glossary Is not a Substitute for Clear Writing
If you were writing a nonfiction book where precise vocabulary was required, I'd say, yes, include a glossary!
If you were writing a very detailed fiction book with a lot of references to words used in a particular culture, language, religion, or historical period, I'd say, yes, include a glossary, but also make sure 90% of the words are obvious from context or unnecessary to know the exact meaning of.
In your case, you're writing a young adult novel (teenagers are the group for young adult books, though the readers can also include college-age) and one that isn't technical or historical with a large amount of necessary obscure vocabulary.
Every single one of your examples is something that most people will know (is there anyone over the age of 12 who doesn't know what a temple is?), something that will be obvious in context if you write it well, or something that can be explained at the time in the text. Some of the words are simply unnecessary.
Do you need a glossary? YES!! For yourself. You say that it's helping you as you write.
Should you publish the glossary with the book? Probably not.
Will anyone who put the book down suddenly decide to read it because, hey, it has a glossary! Hell no. Not a single one.
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Ideally the glossary should not be necessary - try to write in such a way that on the one hand, those who don't already have the intuitive understanding from the words themselves will be able to glean it from the context, but on the other hand, don't browbeat your audience.
It boils down to which audience you are writing for. Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock wrote to a general common denominator of reasonably educated average folk. Their works are very popular even though discussing esoteric matters because it's accessible. Still, if you read the opening pages of "Jewel in the Skull" it's horribly tired, trite, and overly tropish by modern standards.
I say the only reason not to include a glossary is if your editor/publisher/agent say it will market better without it, but try not to rely on people actually reading it. Some pore over the appendices in LotR with glee, some will never crack those pages. YMMV.
New contributor
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
Ideally the glossary should not be necessary - try to write in such a way that on the one hand, those who don't already have the intuitive understanding from the words themselves will be able to glean it from the context, but on the other hand, don't browbeat your audience.
It boils down to which audience you are writing for. Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock wrote to a general common denominator of reasonably educated average folk. Their works are very popular even though discussing esoteric matters because it's accessible. Still, if you read the opening pages of "Jewel in the Skull" it's horribly tired, trite, and overly tropish by modern standards.
I say the only reason not to include a glossary is if your editor/publisher/agent say it will market better without it, but try not to rely on people actually reading it. Some pore over the appendices in LotR with glee, some will never crack those pages. YMMV.
New contributor
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Ideally the glossary should not be necessary - try to write in such a way that on the one hand, those who don't already have the intuitive understanding from the words themselves will be able to glean it from the context, but on the other hand, don't browbeat your audience.
It boils down to which audience you are writing for. Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock wrote to a general common denominator of reasonably educated average folk. Their works are very popular even though discussing esoteric matters because it's accessible. Still, if you read the opening pages of "Jewel in the Skull" it's horribly tired, trite, and overly tropish by modern standards.
I say the only reason not to include a glossary is if your editor/publisher/agent say it will market better without it, but try not to rely on people actually reading it. Some pore over the appendices in LotR with glee, some will never crack those pages. YMMV.
New contributor
Ideally the glossary should not be necessary - try to write in such a way that on the one hand, those who don't already have the intuitive understanding from the words themselves will be able to glean it from the context, but on the other hand, don't browbeat your audience.
It boils down to which audience you are writing for. Isaac Asimov and Michael Moorcock wrote to a general common denominator of reasonably educated average folk. Their works are very popular even though discussing esoteric matters because it's accessible. Still, if you read the opening pages of "Jewel in the Skull" it's horribly tired, trite, and overly tropish by modern standards.
I say the only reason not to include a glossary is if your editor/publisher/agent say it will market better without it, but try not to rely on people actually reading it. Some pore over the appendices in LotR with glee, some will never crack those pages. YMMV.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 2 days ago
Paul Hodges
1412
1412
New contributor
New contributor
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
My audience is young adults, teenagers, and action lovers. Tell me @Paul Hodges, without reading the descriptions of most of those words, did you know what they meant?
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
2
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
Yes, but I'm a well-read and college educate geek, who happens to have a degree in Classical Studies with quite a few hours of Latin in my program, and years of sci-fi/fantasy books by the stack, lol
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
1
1
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
Totally my point. Unless someone with a stake says to take it out, put it in. Even if it doesn't end up in the final copy it likely helps you while writing.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
2
2
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
I'm a middle-aged, well-read, and college educated geek and I knew half the words. I can also tell you that most are totally unnecessary. Things like the galaxy need to be explained in the text.
– Cyn
2 days ago
2
2
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
If it's hard for you, consider how much harder for the reader. Teens are not known for diligence and patience.
– Paul Hodges
2 days ago
|
show 4 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
If you've ever studied a foreign language, you'd know how annoying it is to go check words in a dictionary; it breaks the flow of your reading, breaks the immersion, and sends you off to perform a "chore". A glossary is no different from a real dictionary in this regard - if your readers have to go search for a word, it breaks their flow, breaks their enjoyment of the book.
What you're writing should thus stand on its own right, no glossary needed. If you're introducing some made-up or very rare terms, they should be understood from context, or described / explained within the text - whatever better suits each particular case. (Consider, for example, how Tolkien explains what hobbits are, and lets you understand from context everything you need to know about orcs.)
One thing you should beware of is the trope called Calling a Rabbit a "Smeerp". That's when there's no real good reason to use an obscure term for something that has an English word. Your 'dryadalum', 'stella', 'inlustris', 'solis' and 'morbus' come to mind. Do you have a really good reason not to use 'elf', 'star' 'starlight' etc. instead? Remember also this xkcd:
(source)
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
If you've ever studied a foreign language, you'd know how annoying it is to go check words in a dictionary; it breaks the flow of your reading, breaks the immersion, and sends you off to perform a "chore". A glossary is no different from a real dictionary in this regard - if your readers have to go search for a word, it breaks their flow, breaks their enjoyment of the book.
What you're writing should thus stand on its own right, no glossary needed. If you're introducing some made-up or very rare terms, they should be understood from context, or described / explained within the text - whatever better suits each particular case. (Consider, for example, how Tolkien explains what hobbits are, and lets you understand from context everything you need to know about orcs.)
One thing you should beware of is the trope called Calling a Rabbit a "Smeerp". That's when there's no real good reason to use an obscure term for something that has an English word. Your 'dryadalum', 'stella', 'inlustris', 'solis' and 'morbus' come to mind. Do you have a really good reason not to use 'elf', 'star' 'starlight' etc. instead? Remember also this xkcd:
(source)
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
If you've ever studied a foreign language, you'd know how annoying it is to go check words in a dictionary; it breaks the flow of your reading, breaks the immersion, and sends you off to perform a "chore". A glossary is no different from a real dictionary in this regard - if your readers have to go search for a word, it breaks their flow, breaks their enjoyment of the book.
What you're writing should thus stand on its own right, no glossary needed. If you're introducing some made-up or very rare terms, they should be understood from context, or described / explained within the text - whatever better suits each particular case. (Consider, for example, how Tolkien explains what hobbits are, and lets you understand from context everything you need to know about orcs.)
One thing you should beware of is the trope called Calling a Rabbit a "Smeerp". That's when there's no real good reason to use an obscure term for something that has an English word. Your 'dryadalum', 'stella', 'inlustris', 'solis' and 'morbus' come to mind. Do you have a really good reason not to use 'elf', 'star' 'starlight' etc. instead? Remember also this xkcd:
(source)
If you've ever studied a foreign language, you'd know how annoying it is to go check words in a dictionary; it breaks the flow of your reading, breaks the immersion, and sends you off to perform a "chore". A glossary is no different from a real dictionary in this regard - if your readers have to go search for a word, it breaks their flow, breaks their enjoyment of the book.
What you're writing should thus stand on its own right, no glossary needed. If you're introducing some made-up or very rare terms, they should be understood from context, or described / explained within the text - whatever better suits each particular case. (Consider, for example, how Tolkien explains what hobbits are, and lets you understand from context everything you need to know about orcs.)
One thing you should beware of is the trope called Calling a Rabbit a "Smeerp". That's when there's no real good reason to use an obscure term for something that has an English word. Your 'dryadalum', 'stella', 'inlustris', 'solis' and 'morbus' come to mind. Do you have a really good reason not to use 'elf', 'star' 'starlight' etc. instead? Remember also this xkcd:
(source)
answered 2 days ago
Galastel
23.3k359126
23.3k359126
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
add a comment |
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
This is more than a little discouraging.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
2
2
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
This is my favorite answer and what my answer would be (with a better cartoon). @Aspen It shouldn't be discouraging, it is just the advice you need to produce better writing. Readers will only let a limited amount of "not understanding" build up before they quit, and most of them won't bother to read a glossary. They are reading for entertainment, not to be educated, and too many of these weird words if unexplained by the text will stop the fun. So will having to refer to the glossary! Your #1 job is to entertain the reader, this suggestion helps you do that better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
I meant Galastel found a great cartoon. Not that mine would be better.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
@Amadeus as I said before: I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on
– Aspen the Artist and Author
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
A Glossary Is not a Substitute for Clear Writing
If you were writing a nonfiction book where precise vocabulary was required, I'd say, yes, include a glossary!
If you were writing a very detailed fiction book with a lot of references to words used in a particular culture, language, religion, or historical period, I'd say, yes, include a glossary, but also make sure 90% of the words are obvious from context or unnecessary to know the exact meaning of.
In your case, you're writing a young adult novel (teenagers are the group for young adult books, though the readers can also include college-age) and one that isn't technical or historical with a large amount of necessary obscure vocabulary.
Every single one of your examples is something that most people will know (is there anyone over the age of 12 who doesn't know what a temple is?), something that will be obvious in context if you write it well, or something that can be explained at the time in the text. Some of the words are simply unnecessary.
Do you need a glossary? YES!! For yourself. You say that it's helping you as you write.
Should you publish the glossary with the book? Probably not.
Will anyone who put the book down suddenly decide to read it because, hey, it has a glossary! Hell no. Not a single one.
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
A Glossary Is not a Substitute for Clear Writing
If you were writing a nonfiction book where precise vocabulary was required, I'd say, yes, include a glossary!
If you were writing a very detailed fiction book with a lot of references to words used in a particular culture, language, religion, or historical period, I'd say, yes, include a glossary, but also make sure 90% of the words are obvious from context or unnecessary to know the exact meaning of.
In your case, you're writing a young adult novel (teenagers are the group for young adult books, though the readers can also include college-age) and one that isn't technical or historical with a large amount of necessary obscure vocabulary.
Every single one of your examples is something that most people will know (is there anyone over the age of 12 who doesn't know what a temple is?), something that will be obvious in context if you write it well, or something that can be explained at the time in the text. Some of the words are simply unnecessary.
Do you need a glossary? YES!! For yourself. You say that it's helping you as you write.
Should you publish the glossary with the book? Probably not.
Will anyone who put the book down suddenly decide to read it because, hey, it has a glossary! Hell no. Not a single one.
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
A Glossary Is not a Substitute for Clear Writing
If you were writing a nonfiction book where precise vocabulary was required, I'd say, yes, include a glossary!
If you were writing a very detailed fiction book with a lot of references to words used in a particular culture, language, religion, or historical period, I'd say, yes, include a glossary, but also make sure 90% of the words are obvious from context or unnecessary to know the exact meaning of.
In your case, you're writing a young adult novel (teenagers are the group for young adult books, though the readers can also include college-age) and one that isn't technical or historical with a large amount of necessary obscure vocabulary.
Every single one of your examples is something that most people will know (is there anyone over the age of 12 who doesn't know what a temple is?), something that will be obvious in context if you write it well, or something that can be explained at the time in the text. Some of the words are simply unnecessary.
Do you need a glossary? YES!! For yourself. You say that it's helping you as you write.
Should you publish the glossary with the book? Probably not.
Will anyone who put the book down suddenly decide to read it because, hey, it has a glossary! Hell no. Not a single one.
A Glossary Is not a Substitute for Clear Writing
If you were writing a nonfiction book where precise vocabulary was required, I'd say, yes, include a glossary!
If you were writing a very detailed fiction book with a lot of references to words used in a particular culture, language, religion, or historical period, I'd say, yes, include a glossary, but also make sure 90% of the words are obvious from context or unnecessary to know the exact meaning of.
In your case, you're writing a young adult novel (teenagers are the group for young adult books, though the readers can also include college-age) and one that isn't technical or historical with a large amount of necessary obscure vocabulary.
Every single one of your examples is something that most people will know (is there anyone over the age of 12 who doesn't know what a temple is?), something that will be obvious in context if you write it well, or something that can be explained at the time in the text. Some of the words are simply unnecessary.
Do you need a glossary? YES!! For yourself. You say that it's helping you as you write.
Should you publish the glossary with the book? Probably not.
Will anyone who put the book down suddenly decide to read it because, hey, it has a glossary! Hell no. Not a single one.
answered 2 days ago
Cyn
3,171324
3,171324
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
add a comment |
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
Personally, that hit me hard. I like your point of view. But as a reader, I do love it when a fictional book has a glossary, because I feel like the author was really excited about what they were inventing and wanted to share their thoughts and meanings to everyone else. It's good to understand what's going on.
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
1
1
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
My intention was not to be mean to you, and I hope you didn't take it that way. I am a fan of glossaries in some cases. The Rashi's Daughters trilogy is a fiction example that was just crying out for a glossary. I had to look up some terms elsewhere. So, write your glossary, print it out, and tape it to the wall next to your computer (in addition to a digital copy on the computer). But write the book as if you're not allowed to have a glossary. Decide later what to do about publishing.
– Cyn
2 days ago
add a comment |
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Please note: "with its large legs," no apostrophe. :)
– Lauren Ipsum
2 days ago
Thank you, my bad
– Aspen the Artist and Author
2 days ago
3
"old timey funstuffs" isn't a proper glossary entry; saying it is "slang" does not tell us what it means. Is it board games? A deck of cards? Sex toys? Drugs? What makes it "old timey" and what makes it "fun stuff"?
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
I mean you don't tell us what it is referring to. A glossary should translate, this entry does not. If whatever it refers to is evident by the context of where it is used. e.g. the exposition makes it clear a room is full of old arcade video games, or full of old sporting equipment, and Haku then calls it "funstuffs", then you don't need a glossary entry. If we haven't seen that and then some dialogue is "Dude, the room was full of old-timey funstuffs!" -- "Cool! Did they work?" Then you DO need a glossary entry, because the characters don't explain what they are discussing.
– Amadeus
2 days ago
2
If a "Dryadalum" is simply an elf, why not write it is as such? If it means something more specific instead, then the glossary entry seems incomplete. Ditto for the other rather short entries.
– dkaeae
yesterday