THE Group for Authors! discussion

Do you prefer to use footnotes or a glossary? I am working on a piece in which from time to time I use a not very well known language - not great long tracts but occasional words and phrases - providing a translation seems essential - but ... footnotes or glossary at the back - or both?

I use a glossary, which helps me (and readers) keep track on who the characters are, the events in the story, etc.

Jacquel wrote: "I use a glossary, which helps me (and readers) keep track on who the characters are, the events in the story, etc."

Would you use that if you needed to provide a translation of a word or phrase? I just wondered if folks would get frustrated with having to flip to the back of the book all of the time.

I would suggest an explanation in the text during the first usage of the word or phrase and then including it in a glossary after that.

Yes, I'm with Gloria on this one. And if an explanation in text would be too long, one can use a footnote - they're not necessarily a problem with ebooks, being exported in such a way that people can read them on Kindle without difficulty.

I recently published a book based in a country in Africa, and found a glossary of all the African words the easiest.

I did a glossary in the back for my first book, since it contained a fair amount of Hindi words that are used by English speakers (the book is set in India). To substitute the English equivalents would have been awkward and would break the narrator's POV.

I think if you're only dealing with an occasional word , footnotes are fine; anything more than that requires a glossary.

I put a Glossary in the back of my book for definitions of things that are mentioned in the story for which I feel some people might not understand the meaning. I also use footnotes if I make reference to something that I feel might need a quick explanation. For example: (Glossary) Tox: Slang for Toxicology Report - I put this in the Glossary because it was used in dialogue spoken by a nurse. (Footnote) I used a footnote to give the reference of a Bible verse when I mentioned something in the story that referred to that verse. In the front of the book, I mention that explanation is made for some abbreviations and slang at the back of the book.

Sharon wrote: "I put a Glossary in the back of my book for definitions of things that are mentioned in the story for which I feel some people might not understand the meaning. I also use footnotes if I make refe..."

Explaining at the beginning of the book what you have provided with regards to footnotes and a glossary is a good idea and one I shall adopt for sure ... thanks

Ken wrote: "I did a glossary in the back for my first book, since it contained a fair amount of Hindi words that are used by English speakers (the book is set in India). To substitute the English equivalents w..."

It's occasional words and sometimes a sentence so footnotes would appear to be the way to go but a glossary might also be of use too ... thanks

Alp wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I put a Glossary in the back of my book for definitions of things that are mentioned in the story for which I feel some people might not understand the meaning. I also use footnotes..."

You're very welcome, Alp.

Some time ago, I had read a book in which I found many slang words and abbreviations/acronyms for which I had no clue. When I finished the story, I felt that I had lost a lot of it because of my ignorance of the meanings of these words. Yes, I could have Googled each one as I read, but that leaves something to be desired (I read books I can hold...not ebooks). As it turned out, the next book I read did have a Glossary at the back for unusual words.

When I first started writing, my Editor suggested footnotes for my references, but when I saw the Glossary in that one book I was reading, I thought it to be a great idea.

It's so nice to know that I could help in some way. Thank you.

When I was writing a historical fiction novel I suddenly realized many readers would miss real knowledge about historical personalities and facts. Using footnotes would turn a fast paced novel into a plodding history textbook...
In order to give the reader a 'feel' for the background I decided to create an appendix giving an overview of historical characters as well as places and facts mentioned in the novel.
I have had very good feedback on this.

A glossary sounds like a good idea. Especially if there a lot of terms.

Robert wrote: "When I was writing a historical fiction novel I suddenly realized many readers would miss real knowledge about historical personalities and facts. Using footnotes would turn a fast paced novel into..."

Regarding the footnotes, I disagree. As long as it is not a long paragraph in the footnote, it does not slow down the reading. On the contrary, when you put in a footnote to briefly give a reference to what has been said above, the eye simply has to go down to the bottom of the page and then back up to the place where the number for that footnote resides after the word, or phrase. It's a lot easier than having to go to the back of the book to read a long dissertation on the subject.

For longer explanations, I use a Glossary and then I keep it as short as possible so as not to slow down the reading by yet another story.

In the past, I've read books that have a lot of history attached in an Appendix. By the time I've read a couple of them, I've lost my place in the story. What I do appreciate are those who give an Appendix with simple references as to where I can find information on a subject if I want to know more about it.

Some books I've read have a list of characters in the beginning with a sentence about who they are. I find that very helpful.

Sharon wrote: "Robert wrote: "When I was writing a historical fiction novel I suddenly realized many readers would miss real knowledge about historical personalities and facts. Using footnotes would turn a fast p..."

Hi Sharon,
This shows how difficult it is. A few footnotes don't do any harm and a kind of encyclopedia at the back is surely to be avoided. I have my doubts about the list of characters. You usually introduce them during the story and that should be enough. I guess it comes in handy if you're writing something like a Tolstoy or Dostojevsky type of novel with a myriad of characters.

Yes, I agree with you. Most story do not require a special list but them maybe some people would like it. And I only use a few footnotes, short and to the point.

Just heard a very valuable remark I want to share with you all. Glossaries are fine in a printed book but we're increasingly dealing with an e-book audience. And most e-book readers prefer footnotes because they find looking up a glossary a cumbersome experience.
Any comments on this?

There is a third alternative: boxes/sidebars. These may not be appropriate for novels, but it was a good solution when writing my memoir on Japan's 2011 tsunami when explanations were needed for Japanese nomenclature or inclusion of a relevant, but tangential, bit of information. Parentheses served to provide the English meaning of Japanese terms. This is especially appropriate for e-books, as pointed out by Robert.

Robert wrote: "Just heard a very valuable remark I want to share with you all. Glossaries are fine in a printed book but we're increasingly dealing with an e-book audience. And most e-book readers prefer footnote..."

I think that is very true, scrolling through a couple hundred pages of text, would not be fun. At best I suppose in the future they might be able to synchronise a little button that when pressed, automatically takes you to the glossary, and then back again where you last were in the story.

Paul wrote: "Robert wrote: "Just heard a very valuable remark I want to share with you all. Glossaries are fine in a printed book but we're increasingly dealing with an e-book audience. And most e-book readers ..."

You can already do that with hyperlinks so maybe that is the best way forward

Alp wrote: "Paul wrote: "Robert wrote: "Just heard a very valuable remark I want to share with you all. Glossaries are fine in a printed book but we're increasingly dealing with an e-book audience. And most e-..."

Interesting idea; I'm going to try that one out on a couple of 'test readers'

Alp wrote: "Paul wrote: "Robert wrote: "Just heard a very valuable remark I want to share with you all. Glossaries are fine in a printed book but we're increasingly dealing with an e-book audience. And most e-..."

I wasn't aware that its already a reality. Good idea, it would certainly make life for the reader easier.

Depends on the book. A glossary is great for fiction, but I found when reading a book awhile ago (and it was a print), that the footnotes jerked me out of the story. Footnotes would be great for non-fiction.

Angela wrote: "Depends on the book. A glossary is great for fiction, but I found when reading a book awhile ago (and it was a print), that the footnotes jerked me out of the story. Footnotes would be great for ..."

And going to the back of the book to look up something in the Glossary doesn't?

I have to say, I love the idea of a glossary. It's also really neat when you have special words to define, almost like a little treat to open and purvey before reading.

Sharon wrote: "Angela wrote: "Depends on the book. A glossary is great for fiction, but I found when reading a book awhile ago (and it was a print), that the footnotes jerked me out of the story. Footnotes woul..."

LOL - Hi Sharon. Oddly enough, looking up a glossary at the back of the book didn't jerk me out of the story. No idea why. It's a personal thing, I guess.

Liah wrote: "I have to say, I love the idea of a glossary. It's also really neat when you have special words to define, almost like a little treat to open and purvey before reading."

Ohhh yes. I think of the glossaries of JR Ward and Christine Feehan, for example, - if they had footnotes, it would take up half of every page LOL. They are such great, prolific writers. Their glossaries are such a part of the books.

Hi yourself, Angela. I'm glad you got a tickle out of my comment. I agree with you that it is a personal thing, as is most of what we discuss on these threads. We have no idea what kind of reader we will get. We must do what we all think is best for our books in the long run. Personally, I will continue with the Glossary at the back for longer explanations and definitions and with the footnote for quick explanations.

I wish you many years of successful writing. And Merry Christmas to all of you.

Hi Sharon. It's always good to get opinions from others, gives a new way to think about things. Yep, I also think you have a good point with the glossary for longer and the footnote for quick.

Merry Christmas to everyone from me as well, and I wish you all great sales!