As a ghostwriter and rewriter, I occasionally get clients who give me a draft of a story that has information dump within the first few pages of a picture book.
This is a no-no.
Information dump is when an author literally dumps a chunk of information for the reader to absorb.
Granted, most new writers may not realize they’re hitting the reader with these big chunks of information. Or the author may want to tell the reader what she thinks the reader should know but doesn’t know how to weave the information into the story.
The problem is that the author wants to make sure the reader understands what’s going on.
For example:
Billy and Joe had been best friends since Kindergarten. They played together every day and even had sleepovers. They were also on the same football team. Then Billy insulted Joe last year. After that, Joe didn’t want to be friends with Billy anymore. Now, it’s a new school year.
While this example isn’t too long, there are some info dumps that are paragraphs long, pages long, or, in the case of picture books, spreads long.
Another Possible Reason for Information Dumping.
Another possibility is that the ‘author’ is writing the story for himself. He’s writing to see what he wants to see in the book. He’s not thinking about what a seven-year-old or a ten-year-old will want… even expect in a book.
Whatever the reason, information dump at the beginning of a story leads to a very boring beginning. And, it delays the initial problem that the protagonist must overcome.
While this has touched on the beginning of a story so far, it’s not a good idea to dump clumps of information elsewhere within the story either.
Why Information Dumping Isn’t a Good Idea.
Children, as well as adults, have short attention spans, and they’re getting shorter every year. Being told what went on is boring for the reader. She wants to see or hear what’s going on through action and dialogue. Information or backstory must be woven into the story here and there.
For example, going back to Billy and Joe. Instead of telling the readers flat out in the beginning of the story why they’re not friends, allow them to learn about it through dialogue.
It was the first day of the new school year. Joe walked past Billy in the yard without looking at him or saying a word.
“Okay, enough already. I insulted you last year. Get over it already,” chided Billy.
This lets the reader know what’s happening without knocking him over the head or dumping clumps of information. It brings the reader into the action and conversation. It’s effective writing.
While you may not be able to get every bit of information into the story that you think should be there, it doesn’t matter. Your reader will read between the lines. .
So, think twice before dumping that information on your reader.
Building a Writing Career Takes Practice and Focus
What’s Your Writing Forte?
3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN'S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ page DIY book to help you write your own children’s book.
FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4-Weeks / 8 Sections Guided Self-Study Mentoring Program
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
3 thoughts on “Children’s Writing and Information Dump”