×

Notice

The forum is in read only mode.
× Keep in mind that suggestions must be within the realm of possibility to be taken seriously.

Posting rules: All registered members can create threads and post to existing ones.

Question Footnotes for Forums

8 years 7 months ago #1 by Naldru
  • Naldru
  • Naldru's Avatar Topic Author


  • Posts: 76

  • Gender: Unknown
  • Birthdate: Unknown
    • In several of the stories, there are references to things that may be mysterious or confusing to some of the readers. (I believe that some of the authors view sowing confusion as an art form to be rigorously practiced.) Would it be appropriate to have a section somewhere in the forum for these, and would they be considered spoilers?

    Examples:

    In Myriad Meetings, there are people playing Mao tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/Mao

    References to Lapin as Usagi since Lapin is French for rabbit and Usagi is Japanese for rabbit.
    8 years 7 months ago #2 by NeoMagus
    • NeoMagus
    • NeoMagus's Avatar


  • Posts: 1053

  • Gender: Male
  • Birthdate: 26 Jul 1991
    • Well, in the example you cited from Myriad Meetings, I intentionally chose to use a fairly obscure card game that many people wouldn't recognize, as a way of evoking what Tanya herself was feeling in the situation. Anyone not familiar with the game would experience Tanya's confusion firsthand, while anyone who DOES happen to be familiar with Mao already knows how confusing it can get. This was a very intentional and conscious decision on my part, but I wouldn't really consider a post about it somewhere on the forums to be much of a spoiler. As stated, the desired effect still pretty much takes place whether the reader is acquainted with the game or not.
    ... . . -.- / .--- ..- ... - .. -.-. . .-.-.- / .-.. --- ...- . / -- . .-. -.-. -.-- .-.-.- / .-- .- .-.. -.- / .... ..- -- -... .-.. -.-- / .-- .. - .... / -.-- --- ..- .-. / --. --- -.. .-.-.-
    8 years 7 months ago #3 by Kristin Darken
    • Kristin Darken
    • Kristin Darken's Avatar


  • Posts: 3898

  • Gender: Unknown
  • Birthdate: Unknown
    • Generally, I don't think the forums is the right place for such information. If it is information that the author really wants to cite for reader knowledge, they CAN footnote them on their own and put them at the bottom of their stories. If its really important to the flow of the story, it should be in the narrative of the story itself. For things that are supposed to be purely exposition and are just going to drag out the story... and are supposed to be common knowledge, authors can always write up something to throw in the WA Universe section... similar to the documents on WU gun laws, the foundation of the MCO, and so forth.

    The main reasons the forums aren't my preferred place for it? 1. you don't necessarily know a given piece of information can be found in the forums until you see the thread on it. 2. people who do read through the forums for background information may or may not have read the stories first.

    Best bet? Add a note about the piece of information to the story's wikia page. THAT is a great place for listing observed details that people might not otherwise know... and gives people a reason to check and appreciate the work done on the Wikia.
    Fate guard you and grant you a Light to brighten your Way.
    Moderators: WhateleyAdmin, Kristin Darken, E. E. Nalley, elrodw, Nagrij, MageOhki, Astrodragon, NeoMagus, Warren, Morpheus, Wasamon, sleethr, OtherEric, Bek D Corbin, MaLAguA, Souffle Girl, Phoenix Spiritus, Starwolf, DanZilla, Katie_Lyn, Maggie Finson, DrBender
    Powered by Kunena Forum