Speaking of Nostradamus though, people have asked what some of my pet peeves in writing are, and one of them is indeed prophecies.  Obviously this is mainly in fantasy stories and it’s just the laziest form of foreshadowing possible.  In fact it’s not really foreshadowing – it’s just the author telling you what’s going to happen.

‘And I foresee a black cloud spreading from the north choking and corrupting all it touches… but, one with eyes of glass shall appear upon an iron steed, and with a spear of satire and shield of sarcasm face the storm and turn back the night.  So, look forward to seeing all of that later.’

The weird thing is, so many of the stories I love do have prophecies in them.  It’s just on reflection it’s something I would rather always avoid myself.