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Too often, authors think of exposition as something to avoid — but as I frequently discuss w/ my editing clients, some exposition is necessary to write an effective story.
Here are 6 tips to demystify exposition & some strategies you can use to do it right (an #amwriting 🧵):
Here are 6 tips to demystify exposition & some strategies you can use to do it right (an #amwriting 🧵):
1. Clarify the when & where. In the first 20 pgs or so, we should typically know:
- If we’re in the present, past or future
- Roughly what year it is
- Where we are geographically
- If it’s a real or fantasy world
Otherwise, your story can feel placeless.
- If we’re in the present, past or future
- Roughly what year it is
- Where we are geographically
- If it’s a real or fantasy world
Otherwise, your story can feel placeless.
2. Don’t info-dump. Avoid long standalone passages of exposition. But how to tell if you’re info-dumping?
Take out the exposition sentences & see if they can stand on their own. If they make sense out of the context of the narrative, you’re likely info-dumping.
Take out the exposition sentences & see if they can stand on their own. If they make sense out of the context of the narrative, you’re likely info-dumping.
3. Weave in context. Instead of info-dumping, reveal expository info throughout the plot action or character descriptions as it is relevant to the story. This maintains plot momentum while subtly building up the world around your characters.
4. Remove extraneous details. Leave out expository info that isn’t relevant to plot events. Deliver only the exposition readers need to follow the story — no more, no less. If you overload the reader w/ info that isn’t relevant in the story, it distracts from the narrative.
5. Illuminate the protag’s backstory. We need to know what has led the MC to the present moment. This establishes stakes & gets us invested in the story.
Weave in details about the events that have shaped the protag, what their life looks like, their goals & concerns, etc.
Weave in details about the events that have shaped the protag, what their life looks like, their goals & concerns, etc.
6. Don’t overshadow the main narrative. Avoid exposition that takes us out of the plot action. If you abruptly pause the narrative action to provide expository details, rethink how to deliver that info. Can you break it up & weave pieces of it into the scene?
6 tips for effective exposition:
1. Clarify the when & where
2. Don’t info-dump
3. Weave in context
4. Remove extra details
5. Illuminate the protag’s backstory
6. Don’t overshadow the main narrative
Exposition isn’t something to avoid, but be strategic w/ it! #writingcommunity
1. Clarify the when & where
2. Don’t info-dump
3. Weave in context
4. Remove extra details
5. Illuminate the protag’s backstory
6. Don’t overshadow the main narrative
Exposition isn’t something to avoid, but be strategic w/ it! #writingcommunity
How do you approach exposition? What’s one thing the reader learns about your MC or your novel’s world on the very first page?
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