Let’s honestly admit something that has been left unsaid for too long: glossaries are put there for idiots.
At least that what it seems like. Does any book really need an explanation of the words and acronyms at the end of the book?
Wait, some actually do?
There are two types of appendixes that come to mind.
The first kind is fairly useless and harmless, a vestigial remnant that is still there but not necessary. However, if it gets swollen it can kill.
The second kind is a body part.
Yes, Sci-fi and Fantasy lovers, I am talking about your gross, weird body.
Seriously, fantasy writers and video game designers… just stop. Really. Stop. Think about what you’re doing before proceeding.
Here’s the problem with either writing sci-fi or (if you’re Margaret Atwood) “speculative fiction.” Often you have to be an expert in technologies, societies, and minutiae that not only don’t exist, but are be ridiculously improbable.
Take space travel. Space travel is ridiculous. It involves literally incomprehensible amounts of space through an environment that is notable for having no environment at all. A lot of empty space is oddly known for being full of things, like lethal amounts of radiation or micro-asteroids. One doesn’t travel through space as much as one escapes from space or dies trying.
Stop hectoring me!
Today has been a Rube Goldberg machine of suck. For instance, I’ve had terrible heartburn all day, so it’s off to a roaring start.
I went into the bathroom to get some Tums. Mmmmm! Chalk! As I was putting the berry-flavored talcum pills away, I slammed my finger in the drawer. I cried out. This set off the parrot, who came screeching and flapping around the corner.
The BIGGEST minutiae 