Happy Sunday, everyone!
As many of you know, I’ve been having problems figuring out what to do about my hero. There’s a horrible secret in the town where he is sheriff, and I’ve been trying to decide whether or not he could be forgiven if he knew about this secret. Could we forgive him? Could the herione forgive him? But I was sitting down for a session of writing Thursday evening, and instead of jumping into the story, I took out some paper and started jotting down notes about the town’s secret and why it happened, etc. And I realized the hero didn’t HAVE to know what was happening. He suspects some things, but they are so unbelievable that he denies to himself what’s going on. It’s going to work this way, I think! I didn’t exactly do an outline, but I wrote down some major points of things that were going on. Next, I’m going to write down some things that need to happen. My biggest problem now is how to explain to the reader what has happened in the past without an info dump. In this case, it’s going to be hard. I think part of it will be explained in dialogue where someone has to tell the story. Doing that is close to an info dump, so I’m going to have to be careful. There are just some things that can’t be revealed any other way than to tell the story.
Well, I wrote three days last week, but not the three days I originally planned to write. Instead of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I wrote Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. But it was still three days! I wanted to post a word count, but I can’t get Microsoft Excel to work this morning. I’m going to reboot my computer and see what happens. I’ve never had trouble with this program before. 😦
lauralynnelliott.com 
I struggle with controlling info dump. Telling it through dialogue is a good method.
Good luck with your story.
I actually don’t mind a well done info dump in a story, but authors will slam you for it.
Thanks, Emma. It’s coming together.
I’m editing the second in The Supes Series and to update those who’ve not read (or read it ages ago and need reminding) Finding Esta, I’m struggling with this too. It’s invaluable info for some, and repetitive bore to those who already know. Trying to get it in there, as smoothly as possible is key, but bloody hard work. 😦 Ask Eden about your PC issues – she’s a wiz! 🙂
Shah
shahwharton.com
I know, Shah, it’s hard to figure out HOW much to tell. Especially in a series where readers need a little back story to know what’s going on. In the Sue Grafton stories about Kinsey Millhone, she ALWAYS explains who she is and a little about herself. She’s a well-known author. But if we, who are lesser known, do this, it’s so BAD. LOL. There’s so much going on in my story, and there’s so much history of the town that needs telling, I’m not sure how I’m going to do it.
I finally got my PC issues fixed. Most of the time, a good reboot will do the trick. 🙂
Glad to hear you have an idea to resolve that issue. Good luck this week! 🙂
Hi J.R.! It mostly took just writing some stuff down and working through it. It suddenly became clear.
Keep that positive momentum flowing.
I’m trying, Chris. 🙂
Sure you can info dump. In italics write, “Hey, everyone! It’s Lauralynn to explain what happened because you need to know…” Then when you’re done thank everyone for the time out and return to the story. (I’m kidding, of course.)
I think some dialogue is the way I’d go too.
Can you write a couple scenes from a mystery person’s eyes that we later find out who they are? It wouldn’t be long scenes, just snippets of what this mystery person is thinking as the story progresses, maybe the villain? I’m not sure if this method would work for what you need to do but thought I’d throw the idea out there.
Sounds like you worked out the dilemma for the hero. I’m so excited about this book! Hope you can keep the words flowing!
Ha ha, Ruth!
I think information from dialogue works well if you do it right. I see it a lot in what I read. I keep trying to decide if I’m going to add other POV’s besides just the female main character. I’m a little over 17,000 words into the story, and so far, I’ve only used her point of view. I think that might be a good way to get some history on what’s going on. And there’s not just one villain. I mean, there’s a main villain, but most of the town is to blame for what’s happening. Stephen King is so good at working from different, POV’s. Well, is there anything he’s NOT good at? What a talent! I wish I had just a tiny bit of what he has. Then I could work on the different POV’s with confidence. LOL
Yeah, but Stephen King has all those years of experience. 😀
I have to confess, I like little infodumps here and there too. Smallish ones, spread out… They speed things up if they’re placed in the right spots.
Hope the computer behaves… Despite Shah’s glowing advice, I have my fair share of PC trouble. Mostly old computers made with discarded parts running software combinations the manufacturers don’t recommend, but…. 😉
As for your hero’s situation… I guess forgiving him would really depend on the secret–and on the society (don’t know if the world was different than our own). I mean, child marriage is still accepted in many cultures, but it’s close to an abomination where I live…. that sort of thing. Can your readers actually relate to your hero? If so, they’ll forgive him almost anything, because they’d want to forgive themselves…
It’s so tricky to get the info readers need without spilling it all at once. It will be a challenge. Like Ruth mentioned, it will help getting into someone else’s head.
I have a picture of a Frankenstein computer. Lol.
I think I’ve about got the hero’s problem figured out. Maybe….
Yeah, that part can be tricky. It’s timing…
(your picture isn’t that far off… though I still need to sew things closed)
Cool! *crosses fingers*