Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
I agree. Too often in that (and the fantasy) genre, infodumps like that are being elevated to "world-building" status. When the fact of the matter is: authors should only hint at their worlds and allow the reader to do the bulk of the actual "building" with their own imaginations. I've gotten quite good at it—if the author doesn't keep stepping in to micromanage my efforts, that is.  |
I agree completely with this approach. The last thing I want is for authors to explain everything in minute detail - it gets annoying real fast and denies me the opportunity to create my own version of the world the story is set in. Explanations of specific imaginary technologies, weapons or whatever are easily worked into the narrative in an unobtrusive way by a competent author and as far as historical details or technologies go, I very much prefer the author to assume I know all about them already. Generally I do know them anyway, but if I don't chances are I'll enjoy looking them up for myself and learn something new.
In the very rare cases where there's a need to explain large amounts of things, or provide in-depth detail on the workings of a society, a planet or complex technology and its implications, I prefer to have presented in an appendix at the end of the book.
In general though: please assume that I am intimately familiar with just about everything in your world and instead focus on the plot and characterisation.