How to Avoid Telling the Reader too Much Too Soon (AKA: Info Dump) By Connie Vines #Round Robin Blog Hop #Writing Tips

This month's Topic: How to Avoid Telling Your Reader Too Much, Too Soon.

Authors get so excited about a new project. We love to conduct research, pore over dusty documents, and discover exciting nuggets of information. 

And we love to share our latest discoveries with our readers.

This free-flowing enthusiasm can become too enthusiastic. 

Really? How?

Do you recall Monday mornings when you attended elementary school? The schools I attended allowed everyone a moment to "share about his/her weekend" at the front of the class.  

One child mumbled while staring at her shoes, another focused on the family dinner, another on a cry-baby sibling or, heaven forbid, dog poop/cat poop, etc. 

You get the general idea. Enthusiasm run-a-muck.

"Well, don't do that!" Stifle the urge to overshare and over-tell.

Why? 

Because that is an information dump. The author tells the reader too much or completely unnecessary information.

Keep your focus on the story. Drop information like petals of flowers on a long and uneven path of discovery...to an adventure...or to find true love.

It's the journey the reader loves.

The act of discovery, the twists and turns of the plot, 

the read-herrings, the delightful surprises. 

Remember, the magic that each storyteller weaves lives on and on.

Your written words are magical.

Magical. Powerful. Healing. Words of courage, kindness, comfort.

Your stories transport your readers to another place, another time, a moment to forget his/her troubles or to escape into a safe haven.

Select your words with care.

Remember, a reader is waiting to read your next story.

Connie

XOXO

This month's participating writers have stories to tell.

Please visit them :)

Anne Stenhouse

Connie Vines

Helena Fairfax

Diane Bator

Skye Taylor

 Dr. Bob Rich.