For fiction writers, successful communication is all about balance. We need to hone our instincts so that we know the right amount to put on the page. Too little, and our readers will be confused or have little emotional attachment to our story. Too much, and we bog them down with unnecessary detail. In an article for Writer’s Digest, Robert Lee Brewer offers advice to help you avoid using too much exposition too early in your story.
Exposition is a key element of your story, and it’s important to develop your skill in this area. According to Brewer, the difference between too much and just enough is a matter of communication. You want to deliver exposition in a way that builds a compelling story, and avoid dropping facts just to deliver information to the reader.
In The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson opens with a description of the mansion, but doesn’t talk about style or color. Instead she focuses on emotion and mood, setting the tone for her novel. “If you need to start off with exposition, think about the reason why your story needs it and why at that moment,” Brewer says.
Backstory is another dumping ground for exposition. If you need to communicate information, make it relevant to the scene. Give the reader the information at the time your characters need it.
