Too hard on yourself! I suppose some potential readers may be put off, but many will be like me: we know some of this stuff but not all. Some of the unknowns we can deduce or barely matters, other aspects are fascinating or crucial and a note is really welcome.
In your last fic, it was the carnival colours/symbolism bit which I didn't know and which finished off the story for me nicely with the note.
But then, I have a history background and love to absorb extra facts with my fic!
This is a great point. Those with a history background will appreciate it, those that don't may not read it. But there's always the people who love the history.
I think there must quite a few history buffs on my f-list, which makes all kinds of sense.
I didn't think I was being hard on myself at all! I just wanted to know if people liked the notes where they are, would rather have them before diving into the story, or didn't want them at all because a) they don't care, or b) they are far more knowledgable than me.
The real question, that I didn't ask, is whether all these factoids should be folded into the story. I shudder at too much exposition, though, so it's not gonna happen. It takes a writer with more skill than I presently possess to explain everything and not make it boring or insulting.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2009-02-27 08:51 pm (UTC)In your last fic, it was the carnival colours/symbolism bit which I didn't know and which finished off the story for me nicely with the note.
But then, I have a history background and love to absorb extra facts with my fic!
no subject
Date: 2009-02-27 09:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-28 12:29 am (UTC)I didn't think I was being hard on myself at all! I just wanted to know if people liked the notes where they are, would rather have them before diving into the story, or didn't want them at all because a) they don't care, or b) they are far more knowledgable than me.
The real question, that I didn't ask, is whether all these factoids should be folded into the story. I shudder at too much exposition, though, so it's not gonna happen. It takes a writer with more skill than I presently possess to explain everything and not make it boring or insulting.
Thanks for your comments!