INFO DUMPING HELP!

[Zachary]

I am currently writing the midpoint of my book, which is a fantasy. In this particular chapter, answers to major questions that the characters have been asking themselves are *finally* revealed, via a character with all of the answers. This information really needs to be presented now and I just finished the chapter, looked back at it, and saw that it consists of large amounts of dialogue solving the mysteries that need to be solved. In short, it's an info dump--but a *necessary* one!

I know I shouldn't worry about this now; I should finish the book and worry about editing things like this when I'm done. But it's bugging me and I've already looked up ways to fix info dumps and none of them particularly suit the story that I am telling. Any advice?

[Ashlee]

The one exception to the info dump rule is when the information being dumped is essential to the story.

Are you relaying it in a way that will be interesting to the reader? i.e. they won't be skipping pages to get through this massive stream of dialogue? are you breaking the dialogue up with action?

I know it's hard but try to put it out of your mind and finish writing. In the meantime have a read of some other fantasy books. I guarantee you you'll find some info-dumping in there, particularly around the middle-3/4 mark but you never notice it because the author does it in a way that is interesting for the reader. E.g. think of all the times a character has overheard something or read something important in a book and there's always something suspenseful that happens right after the big reveal.

[Quantum]

Ash wrote: "Are you relaying it in a way that will be interesting to the reader? i.e. they won't be skipping pages to get through this massive stream of dialogue? are you breaking the dialogue up with action?"

i'd generally agree w/that sentiment. to figure out if it's really essential (usually the first draft has a lot of kruft) and then see how to break it up--after you're done with the first draft--if you haven't read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, i'd check it out. i bought it and just finished reading it last weekend. it now sits next to "Strunk and White".

[Lin]

Is there any way to drip feed things? Another alternative is to bring it out in an argument between characters. Without looking at the overall structure it's hard to give specific advice, but just make sure that you're getting as much across in the background as you can, and info dumping as little as you can get away with. Leave the reader to work things out if they can.

[Bob]

Ash wrote: "The one exception to the info dump rule is when the information being dumped is essential to the story.

Are you relaying it in a way that will be interesting to the reader? i.e. they won't be skip..."

This is exactly right. There are no rules in writing, except, "don't bore the reader." If the info dump is from within POV, and essential, and done in an interesting way, it's fine. In my current work, my hero makes extended speeches, and my beta readers have responded to these very positively.

[Anna]

Zachary, what you describe doesn't sound like an info dump to me (I understand info dump as an artificial way to feed the background story to the reader, I hate it when this happens). What you describe sounds like an important part of the story; the characters get answers to their questions. As a reader I enjoy moments like this when the characters finally get to the bottom of things and someone explains what's going on. I'm actually disappointed if the explanation is too cursory, or missing all together. As long as your character with answers is having a dialogue with the other characters instead of the reader, you should be fine.

I don't know anything about your book, but my advice for this situation is to keep writing on. You seem to have a smart approach to your craft. :)