Info Dumps

I am currently re-writing my first book!

I felt that I was finished with it. Ready for an editor but one person’s review did it for me. I know he didn’t even read much. He probably didn’t even make it through the first page from how it sounded. All because of an info dump. Yup! An information dump where you have a character fill the reader in on what’s happening. The back story, the history of the realm you find yourself in.

In this case, the sad thing is, the dump wasn’t even remotely large, it was a small paragraph that totally turned him off.

It’s just a bad and a sad thing to do. Number one, it bogs down any type of momentum you have developed and you lose the reader’s interest. Just like with this gentleman.

I knew I still had the dreaded info dumps but didn’t think they were all that bad as they were mostly during quiet non action sequences where the character had time to talk or think about things. Well even then it’s bad juju if you have too much, or do it too often.

What made this little dump a gigantic problem? it’s on the first page and how he reported it killed the momentum. He was done. (Apparently the political environment is too hostile here on the website as well as in the book).

I for one like info dumps. Why? Because you get it over and done with and you’re caught up to the happenings and goings on of the story you’re reading.

So should you avoid it altogether?

What’s acceptable?

When is it acceptable?

Should it be weaved into the story given to the reader in chunks?

Should it be a part of the front matter of the book?

Let me know.

Regards, Will.