Too Much Information

How much is too much information for your readers to handle? I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. Many readers have said my creative writing books are jam packed with so much information - they love it. Of course, looking back, I remember making the decision to write 2 creative writing books that could be used as references, books with a lot of information that would be kept on a writer's bookshelf for years to come.

But for my next book, which is more about the creative process than about the mechanics of writing, I think less is more. This is something I will be exploring in the coming months.

It leads me to question how this issue of 'too much information' comes into play for fiction works. Is there such a thing as 'too much information' in fiction? The reader needs to know what is going on, to get into the charcter's head, but how do you know if you have crossed that imaginary line and are boring your reader with too much exposition?

I think it means going back to the basics - does the information:

Advance the plot?
Reveal Character?
Set the scene?
Pull the reader into a mood?
Explain motivation?
Entertain?

'Entertain' is a sticky one, that's where we usually get into trouble. It can be fun to learn a fact or two about a new town, for example, but if it is just some information to entertain the reader then make it brief. Or maybe we want to add some humor to a scene so we set up information that is not integral to the plot just to get a joke across - again keep it brief.

Sometimes we have to let go of a good idea because it just doesn't fit. You don't want to ruin the tone of a book for the sake of a joke or two. But you want to make sure your readers know what is going on in each scene. It's a balancing act that is usually addressed in the re-writing stage. So get the story down and then check for 'too much information' when you re-write.

Any other examples of 'too much information' in fiction?

Process vs Product

Another sample from my future book the Holistic Writing Method:

There are 3 types of writers - those who enjoy the process of writing, those who enjoy the end product and those who fall in the middle.

But not to worry, while there are some pitfalls there are also benefits for each one:

If you enjoy the process of writing you may never want to finish a project because that means the process part is over. Starting a new process from scratch may seem like a daunting task and it's much easier to keep on tweeking the project you have instead. If this is the case the benefit is that you are probably a writer who can multi task well, you just need to start multi tasking a bit sooner on in the process. Once you get part way through your MS, jot down a few ideas for the next project, nothing too big so you don't take time away from finishing the current one. This way you can get into the 'process', slowly, for the next project and will be more apt to finish the current project.

If you enjoy the end product you may rush through a project just so you can see those words typed at the end of the MS "The End". Your work may suffer for it though. The thought of rewriting is painful and you just want to move on and get to "The End" on the next project ASAP. What you need to do is learn how to get to "The End" in an outline first, then see every chapter as a new opportunity to get to "The End" of that chapter. You can be very productive if you plan ahead by doing an outline first.

Those in the middle need to make sure they do both suggestions! Yes you have both pitfalls but also both benefits! You may enjoy the process of writing but also rush a bit to get to the end and don't want to rewrite, yet feel compelled to keep working on the project. You can write outlines for several stories, one after the other, getting to "The End" of each before moving on. Then do a first draft on each one. Then go back and rewrite each one. This way you never spend too much consecutive time working on any one story.

Does any of this sound familiar?
Where do you think you fit in?

Can You See It?

There is a technique of manifestation that is pretty popular nowadays. It may have originated with Tony Robbins, at least it got it's popularity from him, and it is all about seeing what you want to create as already finished.

Thr principle is that if you can't even imagine finishing something, you most certaintly will never finish it. Of course it should be obvious how this applies to the writing craft!

Have you ever sat down with your prized idea and visualized yourself completing it?
How about seeing it out in the bookstore?
Or how it will help and effect readers?

What's your block exercise:

Feel how great it feels to write 'The End' and hold a completed manuscript in your hands. What are you feeling? Check in with your body and relax.... Tune in....

Are you feeling Happy, Complete, Sad about letting go of the project, Eager to start the next story and not ready to show this one to anyone, Afraid it's not good enough?

Within these feelings may be your major writing block. Explore all the sensations and feelings that come up. Until you do, you may never be able to see that manuscript finished, which in turn may block you from ever finishing it.