Beware The Mad Writer
Don’t take anything I say personally today. I woke up in the kind of mood Attila the Hun must have woke up in when he decided to take over the world–and not in a nice way, either. Not that I’m about to take over the world…but I am certainly in take-no-prisoners mode.
I had a whole long post planned today about infodump and exposition. I’m reading a book today that has been two chapters of infodump from the main character. The only show don’t tell was a short chapter sandwiched between the other two, and that had its starring character murdered. Which sucked.
On the one hand, I’m intrigued enough by the premise to keep reading. On the other, goddammit, I HATE infodump. I like being thrown into the action and figuring everything out in context. In media res is also how I like to start books, and my editors keep telling me I need to explain more. It’s so clear inside my head sometimes the explanations seem superfluous…and of course, with this kind of balancing act, nobody is going to be completely happy. Readers sometimes think I’m explaining too much or wish I’d explain more, and editors feel the same way. Writing is like trying to satisfy all of the people enough of the time.
But I’m cranky and tired, so I suppose today isn’t the day for a big post on exposition and infodump. Instead I will remark that my bud Nina Merrill’s mini-novella Genie, No Bottle is available on Amazon as a Kindle book. There’s a hot genie in it–and guacamole. Which is all kinds of awesome. End cheap shill for friend’s book. *grin*
All right. I shall bid adieu. This cruddy mood may not even be helped by the challah bread I am required to bake today. Wonder if I should clean up around the heavy bag? That’s certainly therapeutic, but I need my fingers to type with. I suppose I’ll just settle for deep breaths and repeating I shall not lose my temper until tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow…
