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Long ago in February, I wrote about the use of writing a history for a fantasy world. It brings depth and characters can mention past events like we do. Gives your world a more organic feel.
This time I’m going to bring up another topic that strongly relates to it. Some times you’ll create these events and characters will discuss them to the point where you see another story in there. A few of you might be thinking of the dreaded term ‘Prequels’ (Thanks, Mr. Lucas!) and others are thinking more along the lines of the Silmarillion. Either way, the history book ends up being released after the more current events. This can create a greater depth for your world that will strengthen all of your stories. Still, it comes with a few obstacles.
You play a balancing act here. If you reveal too much of the events in the modern series then you might not have many people reading to see it. They already know the juicy details. Same with the history book if it shows too much of the other series. Use one to foreshadow the other if they’re that closely connected. If the modern series isn’t connected in plot then don’t bring it up in the history beyond a cameo like one of the hero’s ancestors or a landmark.
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Anachronism is another challenge. Although, it might reverse anachronism. The point is that stories from an older age typically need older technology. For fantasy, this can include the progression of magical knowledge and the populations of various magical species. For example, modern stories might have very few dragons while the history book has a lot more before they were hunted so often. One of the criticisms a few friends have had about ‘The Prequels’ (thanks, Mr. Lucas!) is that the technology looked more advanced than the original trilogy. This is easier to avoid in books because we’re working with the same special effects the old masters used. Take your time and think about what hasn’t appeared in your world yet.
Most importantly, don’t have world changing events occur in a history book that will undo the modern world of the other stories. No blowing up a city that exists perfectly fine in the modern world or burning down every plant on a continent. It might get you shock value, but then you have to explain why or how it was reversed before the other series took place. Only so much time can pass before people think you screwed up. These mistakes don’t even have to happen on a grand scale. For example, say the time period is close enough that a character from the modern series can make an appearance. So, you have him show up and interact with those heroes, one of which is related to another of the future heroes. It is a last minute addition, so there’s no mention of this meeting in the modern series. Hello, plot hole. Why didn’t the older character talk about meeting the other’s ancestor in that earlier series? Maybe he doesn’t even talk about the events as if he was involved. If you’re going to reuse a character for a history book then you need to make sure their knowledge is consistent. In simpler words:
Don’t let your new series screw up the continuity and cohesiveness of your old series!
Legends of Windemere 
All very good points, Charles. I hope D is paying attention, as his story doubles back on itself at least once. I’m looking forward to getting to book 3, just so I can map out the history as it’s been given, just so I don’t make the dreaded “prequel” mistakes (thank you, Mr. Lucas).
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Going back for prequels isn’t a bad idea, but it takes a lot of careful work. Though, I think many series are better left untouched. Part of the fun could be the mystery and speculation of what happened before.
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I agree. I know myself, when I read a prequel-type story, I (as a very bad reader) find that I’m looking for similar characters or similar stories because they’re comfortable. It isn’t always easy to accept new characters/stories in a world that is very familiar.
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I think that’s acceptable for a prequel. At least if it deals with similar characters and themes. For example, I plan on doing a book that involves the origin of Gabriel the Destiny God of Windemere. I’m going to need to connect some of his story to Legends of Windemere because of his role. But it’s his origin that will have to be tailored to the story instead of going off the rails.
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Sounds like all great advice Charles, those seemingly small mistakes can come back and bite you in a big way.
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There are some fans who are all about continuity.
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This is why I love prequels and sequels and companions … okay yes, I’ll be a total geek when I love a series and buy every story.
I’ll admit, little continuity snafus make me giggle, which is why I’m being extra careful with my own weaving of the timeline. My biggest error so far is making a character a few years older than he was. (Whoops. ^_^)
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I’m learning to work with general ages instead of exacts to avoid that. It gets confusing keeping track of their ages when time passes.
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I only caught it because of a timeline software I was trialling during Nanowrimo. Think I’ll keep it when payday comes around again.
Worst thing was, the kid said it, not someone else. He should’ve known his own age. In my experience, kids are like that, especially when someone says they’re younger. >_>
At least I didn’t find out -after- it was published. I think I would’ve died.
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That would be mortifying. I nearly did that with a character’s eye color. Kept switching from green to blue.
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One of my little things about time periods is that anything referenced in the ‘current’ about history may or may not be filled with the real life inaccuracy and myth compared to what actually happened, major or minor.
When I go back to do a previous time period, it gives ‘what actually happened’ while permitting the ability to see what began the falsehoods in the ‘current day’.
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History does get changed a little due to perspective and time. It’s unavoidable really. Though, I have read some stories and seem some movies (Lucas!) where it seems the ‘future’ material is ignored entirely. There’s falsehoods created over time and then there’s simply an author/creator being lazy. (Lucas!)
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I wondered about the technology in Star Wars, then I thought that maybe an explanation would be that as the Empire rose, the companies making those technologies were put under strict control.
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That’s a good explanation. I thought since we followed the rebels, we weren’t seeing the top technology of the universe. They had the older models and abandoned tech.
Feels weird having to explain the continuity issues instead of hearing them from the source.
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The extended universe is insane compared to the canon.
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I have a friend who read a lot of the extended and it’s massive. Also a little confusing at times. I remember him ranting about a bad zombie story in the Star Wars universe.
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That’s a first for me to hear about.
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“Don’t let your new series screw up the continuity and cohesiveness of your old series!”
Also applies to books within a series. If a character dies in book 2 there better be a good reason they are alive in book 3. Contradictory information plays hell with suspension of disbelief.
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That’s a tricky one too. We no longer live in the days of ‘a wizard did it’.
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