Footnotes in Fiction? The Brevet Problem!

[Tricia]

All--

A few of my writer pals have been discussing the positive aspects of using footnotes for source material or explanatory references when writing historical fiction. One of the things that has come up in my writing is the use of the term "brevet" in regards to GAC's Civil War military rank. The word isn't familiar to a lot of readers and seems to raise a lot of questions. After I'd defined what exactly a brevet promotion was, one person even went so far as to say, "If it was a temporary position, why not just call it 'temporary?'" I can see it now ... George Armstrong Custer, temporary Major General of Volunteers ... ugh.

Needless to say, like most of us, I cringed at that suggestion and instead of losing my narrative to a rash of boring definitions, I thought the best way to handle the Brevet Problem was through the use of a footnote. There are other instances where I'm thinking of referencing source material, say, with written military orders or Congressional testimony.

So the bigger question is, how do you all feel about using what is normally a device in scholarly works in the realm of fiction? Have you done it? Does it add a certain gravitas to your book or does it provide an annoying distraction?

Let me know what you think!
Leyton McLean

[elisabeth]

I can't answer in terms of having actually done it (as I've done nothing!) -- but one writer who gets away with footnotes superbly is George Macdonald Fraser, in his "Flashman" books. However, the situation's a bit different for him, because (1) he can use a sceptical editorial "voice" that's querying Flashman's statements at the same time as imparting information to the reader; and (2) the reader can enjoy the story perfectly well without going to the footnotes, if he/she prefers not to. Much trickier when it's something that'll have the reader baffled without an explanation ...

As far as the brevets nightmare is concerned, the only way I've ever seen of getting round that, myself, is to have one character explain it to another -- e.g. to a civilian or a newcomer. Doesn't have to be quite as clunking as it sounds, since the whole set-up IS pretty funny; there's potential for comedy there. And with the heftier source-material stuff, maybe an appendix might be the place for that? On the whole, I suspect that fiction readers are slightly allergic to footnotes, whereas an appendix can come across as added value: "gosh, so it's really all TRUE, then!"

But what do I know, so it's only a suggestion!

[historynut1876]

I think footnotes (or endnotes) is a great idea to inform the reader, even if it's fiction, of where said details are coming from. I don't think it's a great idea to go overboard so that you have a book of 200 pages with another 50 pages of footnotes. So just keep it simple. You can even opt for an appendix that discusses the sources cited, in place of the footnotes (but still use an occasional footnote if you feel some information is very worthy of special attention).

[markland]

One writer of frontier "fiction" who uses end notes and foot notes successfully is Allen Eckert. You might pick up one of his from the library and see how he handles it.

Billy

[Jas. Watson]

With Allen Eckert books you need to have two book marks in all the time...one where you're reading and one in the endnotes section. The endnotes are every bit as fascinating as the books themselves.
However on a side note, one of his books has a lot about some family of mine and about our place...and his notes, and even the map, are quite inaccurate, I don't know about the rest of his stuff, but the parts I do know about are messed up.
I like his books nevertheless.

Jas~

[Scout]

My personal opinion is that's too much information, or needless information, for fiction. I think it would serve as a distraction to the reader. You will lose the flow of the narrative Trish. I personally would not do it. Jeezh, I look forward to writing a fiction piece one of these days and Not having to use sources or footnotes.

[clw]

I can only speak for myself, but if I were reading your book, it would annoy me to have to read an explanation of 'brevet' or anything else I already knew. Besides, that's what they make dictionaries for. As to endnotes, there are things in Chiaventone's books that I wish he'd provided sources for and I wish he'd used them.

I'm really looking forward to your book, Trish!

[Melani]

What Is A Brevet?
by Captain Arthur T. Lee

As Captain Forbes walked off parade,
Sam Green inquiringly said:
"Pray tell me, Cap., --and tell me true,
Why all those officers in blue
Walk up and touch their caps to you;
They've leaves and eagles, them 'ere chaps,
Whilst you've but bars upon your straps."

"Why, Sam," says Forbes, "you must be green;
The reason's plainly to be seen:--
My straps, so humble in their place,
Are worth the symbol on their face,
Whilst leaves and eagles pay no debts:--
Those officers are all brevets."
Says Green, "that puzzles me,--you bet;--
Cap, tell me,--what is a brevet?"
"Well, Sam,--to put it through your pate,
You listen, whilst I illustrate.
You see yon turkey on the fence:--
That's turkey, Sam, in every sense;
Yon turkey-buzzard on the tree:--
He's brevet turkey:--do you see?"

Moral

A turkey has some value, Sam,
A Buzzard isn't worth a damn!

Life in Custer's Cavalry, Robert M. Utley, ed., p. xiii