Comments on: More on the problem of recap… https://glendalarke.com/2009/05/more-on-writing-problem-of-recap/ Sat, 13 Mar 2021 10:33:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Glenda Larke https://glendalarke.com/2009/05/more-on-writing-problem-of-recap/#comment-20946 Thu, 14 May 2009 06:17:00 +0000 #comment-20946 PeterM – thanks!

I quite enjoyed Royal Exile, although perhaps I enjoy a more character-driven plot than a plot-driven story. Fiona always has great ideas about the magic in her worlds, though. And lots of blood and gore.

]]> By: PeterM https://glendalarke.com/2009/05/more-on-writing-problem-of-recap/#comment-20945 Thu, 07 May 2009 09:58:00 +0000 #comment-20945 I voted both for a glossary and the subtle recapping of the narrative. I agree with Jo, that if you included a glossary at the end then you could keep a list of major and minor characters, and the magic’s/world’s terminology.

Although, having recently finished the Mirage Makers (which I loved, by the way), I found myself remembering what had happened in previous books, despite the many months between each volume. As they did not have a glossary, you must have been subtly recapping, so just keep doing what you’re doing!

Also, I noticed that you have recently read Fiona McIntosh’s Royal Exile. Having started it last night, I was wondering what you thought of it?

Peter

]]> By: Sarah https://glendalarke.com/2009/05/more-on-writing-problem-of-recap/#comment-20944 Wed, 06 May 2009 20:58:00 +0000 #comment-20944 I’m reading Robin Hobb’s Liveship trilogy at the moment and, halfway through the third or so chapter, realised she had been subtly recapping. It was done in a way that retold what had already happened while adding little bits and pieces that happened in the meantime which meant that the reader wasnt just being told ‘here’s what happened, and then this and this and this’, but was integrating it with new information.

I voted for both a synopsis and a glossary, but in both your other trilogies you manage to re cap seamlessly. I especially recall and appreciated the glossary in the isles of glory books – I read through it at the end and kept saying ‘Ohh, thats right!’

I figure just keep doin’ what you’re doin’

]]> By: Jo https://glendalarke.com/2009/05/more-on-writing-problem-of-recap/#comment-20943 Wed, 06 May 2009 04:30:00 +0000 #comment-20943 I voted for a synopsis at the beginning, but a glossary at the end isn’t a bad idea, so long as its referenced in the index. If there are so many different people doing different types of magic, maybe an explanation in the glossary would be a good idea.

One thing I hate is maps that actually don’t show you where the characters are except very generally. Why bother.

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