PhoenixF2B
Dreamer
Hello all! I am working on my first novel and it is a fantasy story in which I have spent the past 2 years world building and developing. I am outlining the story arc of the series and am almost ready to sit down to start writing the prose of the book.
My only debate at this point is that I have quite a bit of establishing information to give to the reader so that they understand this world. Obviously I am not going to just hit them with chapters or exposition, it will have to be threaded into the narrative naturally and smoothly.
I have avoided the cliche of tunics and medieval garb, instead my characters wear clothing in their world that has its own name. I am having a debate as to the best way to slip that in. For example, this culture uses a lot of clothing that "wrap" around their bodies, like scarves but they are in cuts that when wrapped form ornate clothing.
My opening chapter opens up with a bit of energy and action but the characters involved wear these wraps. In order to describe the clothing to the reader, do I introduce the character, and then describe the clothing and it's name and stop the action briefly to explain that this what is common garb in their world?
Would it be better to just refer to the item of clothing and then put a footnote on the bottom of the page that gives the definition of what they are wearing?
I had told myself that I wanted to avoid footnotes but I don't necessarily want to stop the flow of action to explain something.
In your opinion, what is the best way to describe this naturally in the story so that the reader understands how the characters are dressed without having to hit them with heavy detail and explanation?
Thank you!
My only debate at this point is that I have quite a bit of establishing information to give to the reader so that they understand this world. Obviously I am not going to just hit them with chapters or exposition, it will have to be threaded into the narrative naturally and smoothly.
I have avoided the cliche of tunics and medieval garb, instead my characters wear clothing in their world that has its own name. I am having a debate as to the best way to slip that in. For example, this culture uses a lot of clothing that "wrap" around their bodies, like scarves but they are in cuts that when wrapped form ornate clothing.
My opening chapter opens up with a bit of energy and action but the characters involved wear these wraps. In order to describe the clothing to the reader, do I introduce the character, and then describe the clothing and it's name and stop the action briefly to explain that this what is common garb in their world?
Would it be better to just refer to the item of clothing and then put a footnote on the bottom of the page that gives the definition of what they are wearing?
I had told myself that I wanted to avoid footnotes but I don't necessarily want to stop the flow of action to explain something.
In your opinion, what is the best way to describe this naturally in the story so that the reader understands how the characters are dressed without having to hit them with heavy detail and explanation?
Thank you!