Writing Should I explain the power system/characters of my story in a dedicated chapter?

[Roney]

So, I'm writing a story where magic, abilities, different races (aka different types of magic) are involved. My initial plan was to slowly explain the power system to readers through the story itself.

Initially I hadnt even written a prologue. But right before publishing I looked at other publishers and decided to write one and I am so glad I did. I think it really helps world build to a degree.

Now after having published a few chapters and having written a few more in my buffer. I have come across some stories where authors have published a chapter that is dedicated to either their power systems or their characters/races. And I was wondering if I should do that too or just stick to the original idea of slowly introducing both these things using the story itself.

 

[Deleted member 206441]

Should I explain the power system/characters of my story in a dedicated chapter?

No.

 

[Valmond]

No.

Listen to detective furry.

 

[Roney]

Well ig that answers that.

 

[Arkus86]

As a reader, I agree with "no".
Reveal it naturally through the story and characters as it becomes relevant. Do not create a separate info-dump chapter that breaks the flow of the story and will mostly bore your readers anyway.

 

[Tsuru]

Never underestimate the "tldr" readers.

Even me as a vet reader became one (without knowing when).

 

[AYM]

Use the glossary.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

no

 

[Supperset]

No +1

 

[Zenftiy]

Yesn't

 

[NineHeadHeavenDevouringSerpent]

I want a damn book not a all in one disco ball. Keep it simple and straight hombre.

People want to read a book, not decipher the Rosetta stone here.

 

[Roney]

I want a damn book not a all in one disco ball. Keep it simple and straight hombre.

People want to read a book, not decipher the Rosetta stone here.

I am confused by what you are trying to say but if you are saying dont make a complicated power system then it isnt. The power system isnt exactly confusing its just not relevant to the story at this point and will probably take a little more time to become relevant and hence be explained within the story.

Never underestimate the "tldr" readers.

Even me as a vet reader became one (without knowing when).

idk if it would be tldr exactly. if i do right one i would make sure it would give away very little about the story.

 

[Zagaroth]

No.

1) Mystery is good, it means there is more to learn.

2) Interweaving little bits of it as a character learns it makes it more a part of the world and gives it more depth and flavor.

3) What you are describing is a form of exposition. And entire chapter of exposition? No, never do that, no matter what the topic.
[Note: I am sure that there is some exception somewhere, there always is, but this should be your default rule unless you have a really, really good reason to do it this time.]

4) You give yourself no room to adapt and change your magic system to better fit the actual world and story your create. Trust me, your current vision is almost certainly not what your final vision will be after you have months and years of experience. Anything you have not written down/shown your readers can be changed before they know they it exists.

Also, more than once I have realized a conflict or other issue with my world building, figured out a solution, gone back to the right chapter(s), edited them to match my current vision, and then went back to writing.

If it was minor and I was simply eliminating a minor continuity error, I said nothing. If it was major, I dropped a note at the top of the chapter saying that I had changed some things and that they might want to re-read chapter [X] if anything seemed off.

If you devote an entire chapter to displaying a complete magic system, you are going to feel more bound to use it.

This flexibility is especially important if you intend to publish traditionally some day. You will want to be able to polish all aspects of your world building. And I can almost guarantee that a professional editor is going to rip out an exposition chapter.

 

[RepresentingDesire]

I as well would say no but if you want to do some massive story a glossary would make sense, where you slowly add information that has been revealed.

 

[Roney]

No.

1) Mystery is good, it means there is more to learn.

2) Interweaving little bits of it as a character learns it makes it more a part of the world and gives it more depth and flavor.

3) What you are describing is a form of exposition. And entire chapter of exposition? No, never do that, no matter what the topic.
[Note: I am sure that there is some exception somewhere, there always is, but this should be your default rule unless you have a really, really good reason to do it this time.]

4) You give yourself no room to adapt and change your magic system to better fit the actual world and story your create. Trust me, your current vision is almost certainly not what your final vision will be after you have months and years of experience. Anything you have not written down/shown your readers can be changed before they know they it exists.

Also, more than once I have realized a conflict or other issue with my world building, figured out a solution, gone back to the right chapter(s), edited them to match my current vision, and then went back to writing.

If it was minor and I was simply eliminating a minor continuity error, I said nothing. If it was major, I dropped a note at the top of the chapter saying that I had changed some things and that they might want to re-read chapter [X] if anything seemed off.

If you devote an entire chapter to displaying a complete magic system, you are going to feel more bound to use it.

This flexibility is especially important if you intend to publish traditionally some day. You will want to be able to polish all aspects of your world building. And I can almost guarantee that a professional editor is going to rip out an exposition chapter.

Wow that does make a lot of sense. I didnt think of the immersion factor that a reader feels learning things along with the character in the story. Thanks for the perspective.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

If it is important to the story, then either have a prologue or two characters discussing it (or both). If not, then just let it evolve naturally, and keep the explanation document handy to share if someone asks (or as a Patreon extra for the curious, if you go that route)

 

[NineHeadHeavenDevouringSerpent]

I am confused by what you are trying to say but if you are saying dont make a complicated power system then it isnt. The power system isnt exactly confusing its just not relevant to the story at this point and will probably take a little more time to become relevant and hence be explained within the story

No, I'm saying stop trying to make extra features to the story. This glossary, or guide that'll only complicate things.

If I can't understand the power system clearly in the story progression than it's either a problem with the writing itself or my comprehension. Both don't need the guide page they need to improve it, simple and plain.

 

[Roney]

No, I'm saying stop trying to make extra features to the story. This glossary, or guide that'll only complicate things.

If I can't understand the power system clearly in the story progression than it's either a problem with the writing itself or my comprehension. Both don't need the guide page they need to improve it, simple and plain.

Ahh gotcha. Yeah I have decided against it. Thanks for the input.