How should I...

Started by Silhouette December 31st, 2009 10:25 PM
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Silhouette

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Age 29
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Posted September 22nd, 2018
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So, from past experiences, when introducing a new region, a map isn't exactly the best way to go. How should I portray a new region. Say, in an OT fic for instance (not what I have planned, kthx), should I just explain the places as the characters get there? Or should I explain the entire region in a prologue? What do you guys find is the best way?
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I think the best way would be to explain the region as you go along. If you just info dump in the prologue, you’ll confuse your readers. Spread the info out and it’ll be easier to digest.
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Silhouette

On my way to Viridian City ♪

Age 29
Stark Mountain, Sinnoh
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted September 22nd, 2018
2,659 posts
15.8 Years
I think the best way would be to explain the region as you go along. If you just info dump in the prologue, you’ll confuse your readers. Spread the info out and it’ll be easier to digest.
I see. Okay, I'll see what others say.
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Clain

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Posted March 12th, 2011
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Yeah, I'm with Dagzar as well. The points mentioned above are good, but I'll also add:

- By not detailing your region, until your character is there, leaves not only mystery to the reader (and thus anticipation), but also leaves you with the whole region to work with. Like if you said that your region was a tropical island (with more detail of course), then that limits you for example to not having a icey mountain, per se.

- Depending on the point of view written as well, detailing the setting may not be the most important thing, remember to stick with the story, and not to get too derailed plot-wise.

I might think of more later XD

Silhouette

On my way to Viridian City ♪

Age 29
Stark Mountain, Sinnoh
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted September 22nd, 2018
2,659 posts
15.8 Years
Yeah, I'm with Dagzar as well. The points mentioned above are good, but I'll also add:

- By not detailing your region, until your character is there, leaves not only mystery to the reader (and thus anticipation), but also leaves you with the whole region to work with. Like if you said that your region was a tropical island (with more detail of course), then that limits you for example to not having a icey mountain, per se.

- Depending on the point of view written as well, detailing the setting may not be the most important thing, remember to stick with the story, and not to get too derailed plot-wise.

I might think of more later XD
Thanks for the pointers. I'll consider these. Thanks. ;)
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Another idea could involve the main character see something that is very typical of their homeland and then muse over how important it is to the place as a whole. If that was a little hard to understand, take that your story where I live, Ireland. The main character could spy a shamrock near the start of their journey and think: "Shamrocks. What the whole world thinks of when they think of Ireland. I suppose it made a lot of sense. Ireland was just like the plant - a tiny, verdant speck. Of course, it had other features, like the rolling mountains in the north and west, as well as the rolling sandy beaches of the Sunny South East or the bustling cities. But on the whole, it was strong, a tiny shoot in the corner of Europe. No wonder people are so proud of the nation."

That's just an example, but showing the setting as a country or a culture, with national flowers and identity rather than just a setting will make the readers more intrigued to learn more, and willing to put up with longer explanations and descriptions. Putting it all at the beginning would be a bit of a bore, but you might be able to work it in slightly later, as long as the reader has some idea of where the story's set.

(Well, my description wasn't particularly apt, as the country's covered in snow today, but it's just an idea.)

Silhouette

On my way to Viridian City ♪

Age 29
Stark Mountain, Sinnoh
Seen 1 Week Ago
Posted September 22nd, 2018
2,659 posts
15.8 Years
Another idea could involve the main character see something that is very typical of their homeland and then muse over how important it is to the place as a whole. If that was a little hard to understand, take that your story where I live, Ireland. The main character could spy a shamrock near the start of their journey and think: "Shamrocks. What the whole world thinks of when they think of Ireland. I suppose it made a lot of sense. Ireland was just like the plant - a tiny, verdant speck. Of course, it had other features, like the rolling mountains in the north and west, as well as the rolling sandy beaches of the Sunny South East or the bustling cities. But on the whole, it was strong, a tiny shoot in the corner of Europe. No wonder people are so proud of the nation."

That's just an example, but showing the setting as a country or a culture, with national flowers and identity rather than just a setting will make the readers more intrigued to learn more, and willing to put up with longer explanations and descriptions. Putting it all at the beginning would be a bit of a bore, but you might be able to work it in slightly later, as long as the reader has some idea of where the story's set.

(Well, my description wasn't particularly apt, as the country's covered in snow today, but it's just an idea.)
Well, that's something I've never thought of. It's not a bad idea. Thanks. ^_^
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