Opinion request from fiction readers.

Grey Colson

Grey Colson

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Staff member
This is not the book forum, but it's not about a specific book.

In a review of my last book, a poster made a suggestion. The review itself was very good, but I wanted to know your thoughts about his/her suggestion. I have seen what they were talking about in a few novels, particularly those with more than 3 or 4 characters involved.

The poster said they would like to see a list of characters at the front of the book and what their role is in the story. Example:

"Michael McIlwain - FBI Agent - Orlando Field Office"
"Guard Dad - Destroyer of Thongs"
"cptlo306 - Four footed feline fan"

For those who read, is that helpful to you?
 
I tend to skip that section myself but it does help some people know who they are reading about when they come up in the book. It does not mater to me one way or another. It does not affect me purchasing a book.
 
David Weber is a big fan of those (mainly because he usually has a cast of thousands in his novels). I very rarely, if ever, have used them. Usually I just keep reading figuring if the character is important, it will become clear.

Weber's are usually at the end of his books and in the last one was the cause of great gnashing of teeth and wailing when I hit the end of the book at a cliffhanger with nearly a hundred pages left to go in the physical book. That's right, his list of characters and dictionary was from page 818 to page 905. Arrrrggg.
 
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The Sound Guy said:
David Weber is a big fan of those (mainly because he usually has a cast of thousands in his novels). I very rarely, if ever, have used them. Usually I just keep reading figuring if the character is important, it will become clear.

Weber's are usually at the end of his books and in the last one was the cause of great gnashing of teeth and wailing when I hit the end of the book at a cliffhanger with nearly a hundred pages left to go in the physical book. That's right, his list of characters and dictionary was from page 818 to page 905. Arrrrggg.
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How strange is that? Thanks everyone. It was the only time a person brought it up. Even in the never-ending Clancy books, I've never had to go back and check the list. Even if I wanted to add the list or not, the publisher has the last word.
 
Publisher emailed back this morning and said they didn't believe the story or characters were difficult to follow and keep up with at all and such a list wasn't necessary.
 
I have to agree that I think if written correctly, the person, their roles in the story, and their attributes come clear on their own. Kinda seems like a waste of space and time to list them in the story.

Having said that... I do have a list of my characters, and everything involved with them, on another sheet so I can reference it at any time and make changes as necessary.
 
Silent Assassin said:
I have to agree that I think if written correctly, the person, their roles in the story, and their attributes come clear on their own. Kinda seems like a waste of space and time to list them in the story.

Having said that... I do have a list of my characters, and everything involved with them, on another sheet so I can reference it at any time and make changes as necessary.
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I agree and keep a similar list. Also of dates and time (if mentioned) and items I may reference later, such as a vehicle for example and the color. Its a pain to have to search for that stuff later. I've had to teach myself from previous mistakes....which were many. o_O
 
J-man said:
I have to agree with your publisher. It may be handy but not really necessary. Keep a clean look to the book.
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I agree. I also decided not forewords this time either. Part of the reason for that was the difficulty to find but only a few people who would be willing to support the premise of the conspiracy. Those who do are virtually untouchable and simply too difficult to make contact with.
 
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