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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/4846-But-What-Will-They-Wear.html
Fantasy: January 25, 2012 Issue [#4846]

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Fantasy


 This week: But What Will They Wear?
  Edited by: Jay's debut novel is out now! Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

To those speculative fiction authors about to read, write, revise and review: I salute you.


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Letter from the editor

Recently I've spent a lot of time thinking about something that strikes me as common sense from a writer-ly perspective: what are your characters wearing, anyway? Never mind how I came to this particular question (for the record: I was trying to figure out how to explain a common style of space suit in my novel series, referred to in shorthand as a "jacksuit," and how a mask might be fitted to it for the purposes of surviving in an airless environment, thank you very much!) but the resulting exploration of how other authors led me to the conclusion that even though I know a decent amount about garment construction thanks to years of knitting and sewing, I don't know the first thing about how to explain things about garments that don't really exist.

Do you know your jerkin from your tunic? Your pauldrons from your epaulets? Your petticoats from your slips? While a certain amount of approximation or inaccuracy might be expected, there's something about being as accurate as possible. It's also useful to know your garment and its function. Armor, for example. There are scores of books on the topic, and a quick search of the search engine of your choice will typically produce more than adequate information-- possibly more than you'd ever need, but it is useful to know the proper name for something-- "greaves," for example, being a lot more authentic, if perhaps less blunt than "shin plate armor thingies."

When it comes to garments, it's important to take a little bit of function into account, but don't forget to add some flair! No one necessarily wants to read a paragraph of pure fashion description, but it can help provide some details from which the reader can infer more. Paint with broad but vivid strokes. Give your readers the flavor of your world through the style of garb your characters wear.

Another thing that I tend to catch myself doing, partly, I assume, out of having a lazy imagination, is to use very vague catch-all terms like "robe" without elaborating on them. What kind of robe, though? Is it velvet? Satin? Burlap? What color is it? Is it in good shape, or shabby? What might it smell like, even? Not all of these details are necessarily important and relevant, but knowing them makes your descriptions more vivid. I'm working a lot harder on this part myself!

Getting into the characters while you write means that sometimes you need to get into their shoes... and I guess, their trousers, or britches, or short-pants, or tights!


Until Next Time,
Take care and Write on!
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Editor's Picks

This Month's Picks!


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 The Red Apple I Ate Open in new Window. [18+]
Snow White was beautiful...in a dark, twisted sort of way.
by DragonWrites~The Fire Faerie~ Author Icon

 Tomorrow's Child Open in new Window. [13+]
In which the Storyteller seeks the one to whom he can send forth to tomorrow.
by Fyn Author Icon

 The Warrior King Hayd Open in new Window. [E]
A prequal poem to a story I am writing.
by Inker Author Icon

Finn's Syren Open in new Window. [13+]
Born and cursed to be a gypsy, Finn's bitterness only strengthens the woman he loves.
by iKïyå§ama Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Thunderstorm Open in new Window. [ASR]
A boy's life is threatened and it falls to a friend to bring him to safety
by Milo Author Icon




 
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Ask & Answer

It's been a while since I've done a Fantasy newsletter, but hey, if you have anything to add, I might just put it out in the next issue I guest edit!


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