As you know, Bob, most exposition sucks

Bad exposition is often called, “As you know, Bob.” It’s that irritating need to have one character fill the readers in on what they don’t know, need to know or not. Usually, we don’t need to know.

Usually, we don’t need to know.

Writing exposition can be a challenge. How much to include, how to convey it to our readers. It’s also a sure-fire sign to the reader that a writer is novice or professional. Novice writers love to bombard the reader with exposition and debate in dialogue. I do it too. I just cut ninety percent of it from my finished manuscript. (Unless I want the reader to realize the speaker is an ass.)

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Okay, I added the snarky comment at the end. But you get the point. (Slideshare.net)

Lindsay, a South African writer, shares her writing tips on good exposition.