You've just spent the last three months researching your latest story. You've read everything ever written about the subject and all parts related. You even have the first line ready. Now, you begin to unfold the history, describing the town, and all the businesses surrounding the quaint square. You make sure to note the connection to the civil war general who stayed at the local inn and gifted the innkeeper with a charming son. You go on to show the incredible courage displayed by the woodworker who spent the last months of his life creating the ornate gazebo in the center of the square.
You carry on sharing this information for two chapters because this is the backdrop for your characters and their story. This will serve as the setting for all the coming dramas being played out in your book.
The problem is... no one will get past the first page due to shock suffered by information overload. Yes, research is necessary to bring realism to your story and give a foundation from which you can spin the many sides of this tale. However, you may need to know this, but your reader doesn't. Don't create a 'landfill' of information for them to tunnel through to find the few grains of story buried at the bottom. Temper your backstory. Add small bits and pieces throughout your book. Have the characters tell stories that include pieces of the information you want to convey. Otherwise, you will have a lovely book with no readers.
Sable Angel
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