Explanation of Explanation
Okay, folks, I need to get this off my chest. My latest strip seems to have sparked the most comments that I’ve received in a long time, and these comments need to be addressed.
There is a reason I don’t explain a lot of the things in Bardsworth, and the explosion in the comments section is a big part of that. No matter how intricately I explain something, there will always be people who will A.) have more questions, B.) Find something wrong with my explanation, or C.) have a “better” explanation. It’s just the nature of the internet I guess.
Firstly, I’m fallible and I’ll be the first to admit it. Heck, there are numerous plot holes in Bardsworth. Things are going to slip through the cracks; it’s inevitable when you’re the sole creator of something like a webcomic. But I do the best I can for writing a story over a number of years while still maintaining other projects and a family life.
And I also know what to explain and what not to. A handful of people have further questions about the translation enchantment, and here’s the cover-all answer: If it’s not pertinent to the story, it won’t be explained. I’m sorry if there’s something about it that you want to know, but I don’t have the time to explain every little detail, especially when there’s a story at hand (and especially when I only have once a week to tell that story).
I’m not trying to chastise anyone or vent my frustrations. I just want you guys to know where I’m coming from. If I’m not explaining something down to the most minute detail, it’s for a good reason.
Besides, magic should never be explained down to the bones; it would strip away what makes it magical.
EDIT: I should take a moment to say that I am happy that such discussion is taking place over my comic. It means that you people care enough about the comic to really dig into it and analyze. So thank you for that. Just don’t go crazy. 😉
I fully support this stance.
Everything that’s pertinent to the story should be explained, but that which is not pertinent to the story merely slows the story down if it is explained. Background is nice, but when it gets in the way of Story it needs to be cut back.
Unfortunately, the internet venue of this and other webcomics means that there is now a whole range of opportunities for interaction that wasn’t there before; readers can critique your art and storytelling and make suggestions, speculate about future pages and plotlines, argue/talk with other readers, demand more information, and all on a page-by-page basis. In some senses it’s great, but in others it’s rather a pain and affords each individual page far more scrutiny than it is probably meant to have in the grand scheme of the comic. This is not to say that each page shouldn’t be appreciated as art in its own right, but webcomic update schedules mean that we give weight to every little detail and word because we can stare at it for 2 days, 4 days, sometimes even a week at a time depending on how often the artist updates.
All of which is to say, I totally support you on this, Pete — continue being awesome, sir!
Oh absolutely, and I’m not debating any of that (in fact, I’ve done posts about just that in the past). I just wanted people to know where I’m coming from on my end.
hey all i wanted to know is if it works on written language 2
Not explaining everything allows the reader to fill in some of it on their own, with their own thoughts and ideas, thus making it personal to them. Everyone loves a personal experience right?
OK I’m gonna be over there nerding out.