Introducing New Races in a Fantasy Story?

You might get more informed responses over in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy sub forum.

But, I like to be shown, and I like to be shown as soon as the race is introduced. It would be awfully jarring for me to start out thinking an individual had six limbs and was land-bound, only to find out later that he/she/it also has giant wings and can fly. (I critiqued a story like that once--it was very off-putting).

It takes me out of a story when I have to reevaluate and change my perception of a creature I've already formed a picture of in my mind.

Anything I would notice upon meeting the creature in reality should be introduced right away, in my opinion.

Since new races in fantasy aren't totally uncommon, it's probably okay to spread the descriptions out. In a lot of cases (where the MC is familiar with the new race), it's okay to not even treat it like a big deal. Let's face it--if the race isn't new to the MC, they're not going to be making notes of physical description, etc, unless they're different from the norm for that race. So why would you put it in the novel as a big old info-dump or block of traits? If they ARE new to the MC, they're still only going to make note of a couple of things at first glance. They're not going to be cataloging everything about the new folks all at once.

As for show vs. tell, in general show is better (though a mix of the two is usually ideal). I'm also a firm believer in not over-describing anyone, human or otherwise. Leave some of it to the reader's imagination.

FYI I agree with MJNL on this point: You might get good answers that fit what your typical readership would feel in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy area. I tend to be very fantasy-heavy in my reading, so the opinion above is based on that. But you'll only really know for sure what the genre fans will find acceptable by asking them specifically. My opinion may or may not bear any resemblence to what other fantasy readers would be okay with.

It'll depend on the viewpoint character for me. If the viewpoint has never seen anyone like this, I'd expect a bigger description up-front. Do it well and you'll tell me a lot about what viewpoint considers normal at the same time.

If viewpoint sees them as ordinary, I wouldn't expect it all in one hit. The big things need to be sooner (like knowing they have wings), but the little things will be sprinkled out (knowing they have three fingers). There's a different tone to this sort of description. A winged character might comment on the pretty blue colour of another character's wings, but wouldn't be surprised they have wings.

If the race is complex, you might want to "preframe" the reader for it. Maybe introduce a racist earlier in the action, or talk about the MC's assumptions and experiences regarding that race.

When the race actually appears, you won't have to break the action as much just to bring readers up to speed.

To see a good example how to do this, read The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells. The book's world includes all kinds of different sentient beings.

Do you prefer to read information about them through telling, or showing?

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As amschilling mentioned, showing is generally better than telling, but it's not set in stone.

You have to be careful about info-dumping, especially if you are describing a detailed history, which might be familiar and understandable to you - but not so much for a new reader ( all in one go ). Break it up, introduce additional pieces through dialogue and discussion, etc...

Would you want details on the physical descriptions of the race right away, or can it be spread out?

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This is can be dependent on how you are introducing the race. You might need to do it all in one go if you are dropping them straight into a descriptive scene - you could incorporate the racial qualities into the flow of events/actions ( ie: not all in the first paragraph ).

Otherwise you can take a little time, include some physical traits in the historical expositions as appropriate.

lookitsandrea said:

Hey guys!

I am writing the first draft to my original fantasy series, and I know that these are the types of things I will look over while I edit, however I am curious.

What is the best way to introduce a new race in a fantasy series?

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Do you prefer to read information about them through telling, or showing?Would you want details on the physical descriptions of the race right away, or can it be spread out?

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A bit of a non-answer, but a bit of both may be the best way. Direct interaction through 'showing,' while background information can slip a little into 'telling.' Don't be tempted to info dump, giving all the cultural history in one go. Stretch it out over several scenes, building it up as you go; only use what is required to support the current event or plot points. What are the character's reactions and interpretations of another race's appearances and/or movements in the scene, perhaps supported by some text to further define?

I have three seperate and distinct human cultures adequately seperated by distance and topography, as well nearly a dozen non-human species to handle in my fantasy setting. You don't even meet more than a couple of different species in the first book, maybe four or five others refered to throughout in discussion or description to give a bit of history. I kept it simple by using the sterotypes associated with most non-human races (Elves, Dwarves and dragons are similar to what you would expect after Tolkein, Terry Brooks, et al). The differences are explained through the action and discussion, mostly Showing with some Tell to support (at least I hope that's how I've got it ).

There are a certain number of cliches that people will likely automatically refer to. If mention race A resembles an Elf, readers are naturally going to assume pointy ears, slim athletic builds, likely good at fieldcraft and using a bow. This may not work in your setting, especially if the names are different (ie. Elf = Snaggerpush or some such) but you wish to convey similar abilities, physical characteristics.

Less is usually more when dealing with descriptors. The second you start overloading the descriptive paragraphs, building an image of the races in your books, you're info-dumping. Bad things happen when you info-dump. Like your readers tend to dump your book.

Best advice I could give is to read many other books with the same types of fantastic creatures in them and see how the pros before you have done when faced by this issue.

MJNL said:

Anything I would notice upon meeting the creature in reality should be introduced right away, in my opinion.

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This is how I approach unusual newness. However:

Polenth said:

It'll depend on the viewpoint character for me. If the viewpoint has never seen anyone like this, I'd expect a bigger description up-front.

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This can be bigger than expected. I know what a human, and a human's pieces, look like. I expect heads, arms, legs, a torso, and see these on most living things. I see wings on bats and birds, and sometimes elongated limbs familiar to human pieces.

But if a creature has distinctly non-human (or non-familiar) aspects, while the POV may address them, characters may not recognize them.

If a creature does not have arms, but has collapsing tentacles which retract into small wrinkly bumps, these might not be brought up until (surprisingly,) they move something like an arm would.

Don't be afraid to address when/how the characters do not understand what they are looking at. A simple comparison (it looked insectoid,) may allow you to elaborate later without springing it on the reader unannounced. But anything abnormal which the characters see and understand as arms, torsos, heads, etc, should be talked about, at least in brief.

If the odd parts take action shortly after introduction, you do not need to describe them as much right off, but can wait to demonstrate their use.

Definitely give all physical descriptions as soon as the race is introduced. i can't stand when I don't know what a creature is supposed to look like, because I like to imagine the events of the book unfolding in my head and when I can't picture something it really gets me out of the moment. However, histories and other such background details aren't pressing enough to be listed all at once. I would say, with them, tell things when they are relevant and it seems like a good time. If a piece of history or other similar detail isn't relevant, don't bother telling it. You can allude to it in descriptions of places or the way the creatures talk, but you don't want to waste too much space going on about things that don't matter.