%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 |
This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC |
| Positive Info-Dumping At times, I have said that we should avoid info-dumps. It can be boring to a reader, and can slow the narrative flow to a crawl. But sometimes an info-dump is necessary because otherwise your reader will become lost. So, in these cases, we need to info-dump. But when? And how? 1) We need a receiver The info-dump generally cannot just be there in the text. It works better if someone is telling another character things they don’t know, or if a character is remembering all the information. For example, they’ve reached a town, and they’re trying to remember everything about it. Or an old priest is explaining the world to a young acolyte in terms of their religion. Or a soldier is warning the adventurers about what lies ahead. 2) We need relevance The information we are getting needs to be vital to the story. Why info-dump the history of the mouse-gods of Owl Mountain if it is only in passing? But if they are going to steal the Ruby of the Rat Ruler from the mouse-gods of Owl Mountain, then that information becomes vital. The town the character is remembering is now the scene for all the action. The acolyte did not realise how complex the religion was and is now doubting their choice of vocation. The adventurers think the soldier’s story means there is fame to be had. 3) We don’t necessarily need everything The things that are important should be there, but leaving some things to be discovered can add little plot twists, or maybe the information is not entirely correct through misunderstanding, or anything else. Adding that hint of doubt can make the reader more invested. So the character forgets that the tavern is beside a barracks, and the soldiers they are trying to avoid drink there all the time. Or the acolyte discovers that the image of the gods of their religion is wrong when they encounter an avatar. Or the adventurers discover when the soldier said ten living trees, he meant a hundred. 4) Limit how many we get We do not need an info-dump about each and every thing the characters encounter. Just where having that information will make the reader follow along much easier. How long should an info-dump be? There is no answer to this. If you find it too long, then it is too long. If your beta reader says it dragged, then it is too long. But, then again, if your beta reader says they needed more to understand it, then extend it. So, yes, info-dumps can be tedious and skippable. But if used correctly, they can actually enhance a piece of writing. Just don’t do one every three pages. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
