EVERYONE: Things in your fic left open for your readers to speculate

[matt0044]

When I post my first fics on Serebii, one of the criticisms was that I barely explained certain things. For example, in Pokemon Adventures: Diamond & Pearl by me, I was criticized for not explaining how the cartoon characters I used to represent the game characters could exist together, how a cat like Sagwa Miao could walk, talk and act like a human and how anthropomorphic animals could exist in the Pokemon world. I think you get the idea.

I plan to explain these in my fics the best I can but I'm not a scientist so I make no promise to the explanations being scientifically possible. However, certain things like how animals, anthros, human and Pokemon can exist together will NOT be explained (thoroughly) due to it not having much to do with the story.

Is this good? To leave things open for the readers to speculate, I mean.

 

[Kyuuketsuki]

Yes, it is.

Leaving things open for the reader to interpret is one of the best things that can be done, though you still have to explain some stuff and not use that as an excuse to let things slip by unexplained.

 

[Joshawott]

Only explain things if their explanation is relevent. It's no use say, having a fantasy setting, and explaining why pigs fly, or why dragons breath fire, or how people can use magic. It's just a part of the world.

Or, just use these these four words: A. Wizard. Did. It.

 

[Gama]

Yes, this is good, you shouldn't explain everything away in my opinion.

The best stories (be they books, graphic novels, manga, TV, movies) that I have read/seen have always been the ones that leave you to put things together for yourself and don't explain everything.

On the other hand, whatever you do, don't do a Lost.

 

[matt0044]

On the other hand, whatever you do, don't do a Lost.

Trust me, I won't even dare.

 

[Kayi Rowling]

It's good to leave things open in fiction. It's not supposed to be swallowed whole without question, after all (nothing is, I'd dare saying... except the Golden Rule).

And that thing you tell us of your audience, it just shows, unfortunately, mental passivity. I hope you find a better audience for your fiction soon, one that speculates and thinks and makes your story grow within their minds ;-)

 

[Drakon]

If you ask me, some things are better not explained. But you must be careful not to let and "open-end" be used as a disguise for poor writing.

Also of note is that too much explaining drags the reader out of the story and no one wants that.