Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Exposition #MFRWauthor #amwriting

Just what is exposition? Exposition equals information the reader needs to know to identify with the characters, the setting and the plot. Now one could disgorge this in large lumps but there are other ways to do this. If the reader doesn't know certain things he's in limbo and unable to move through the story with ease. But if large lumps are there for the reader to gulp down, he or she might miss some important factor and scratch his head.

How do we do this? The focus character or characters can't see or know everything. So the writer needs to fins ways to make this happen.

Let the information come about during a conversation between the focus character or characters and the character in possession of the information. During the change we can learn a lot about the characters, the setting and the plot.

Have the information come through a memory of someone telling one of the focus characters the needed information.

Have two characters argue about a third will bring all kinds of knowledge not only about the character or situation being discussed but also the characters who are speaking.

Let two characters talk about the past to give needed information.

Use inner thoughts of one of the focus characters.