by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’m the kind of person who likes to know everything about an event before I attend.
Where should I park? What should I wear? How many people will be there? Should I bring money? Should I bring my own chair? What about bottled water or a lunch? How early should I arrive? Should I stay until the end or may I leave early? Do you have any helpful tips at all to help me navigate this event?
This is because I really dislike being confused. And, naturally, the gods conspire to make me as addled as possible. I’ll pore over websites and email event organizers and remain as clueless as ever.
The last couple of weekends I’ve been way out of my depth at two events for my daughter. A week ago it was a piano competition and this past weekend it was a science competition. Both times I accidentally violated the rules (Yes….me! A rule violator!) by going into areas where adults weren’t allowed. I know: you’d think I’d notice there were no other adults around, but—I’m a writer. I can be foggy. Apparently, they’re worried about parents cheating by providing help to their kids during the competitions. (If they only knew how very little I know about music and science, this wouldn’t have been a problem….)
So I was fussed at by event organizers a couple of times and embarrassed my daughter. Of course, I embarrass my children by just existing, much of the time. The irritating thing is that the event organizers hadn’t listed this important bit of information on any of their flyers or on their website. They were probably just so accustomed to organizing and attending the yearly events that they forgot what it’s like to be a newcomer to them.
This feeling of utter confusion is the last thing I want my readers to go through.
I do want to give them unanswered questions to keep them reading. I do want to give them something to think about and puzzle over. I do want to give them a mystery to solve. But there’s a lot they could be confused about, if I’m not careful.
Potential areas where we could confuse readers:
Character motivation. Why is Harry suddenly acting so different?
Character identity. Who’s this character again? He hasn’t been onstage for a while…
Plot. It’s fine to have a twisty plot, but are you making it too hard for the reader to follow along?
Setting. Where are we now? Check your transitions to make sure you’ve eased the reader into the new location.
Character identity in a different way. If we’ve got Molly and Sally and Len and Ian, maybe we need to rethink our names.
As an addendum to this story—I was feeling strung-out after my earlier confusion, when I finally felt like I belonged at one of these events. At the science competition, a group was about to go into a testing room—and had no pencils. For this event, if you’re not prepared, you’re out. There was great panic among the team of middle schoolers—until I reached in my purse and pulled out six or seven Ticonderogas and two pens. :) How often do you get to save the day as a writer? Not very often. There’s never anyone who calls out, “Is there a writer in the house?” But finally—I was part of the group!
How do you keep readers in the loop?
Image: MorgueFile: Guilane Nachez
Elizabeth, to the potential areas where writers could confuse readers, I’d like to add one more — too many characters, especially in sub-plots. I lose track of them and then I have to go back to see whether the character was introduced before. One reason I liked Perry Mason novels was the list of main characters on the opening page. Then again, maybe I’m not a sharp reader.
We must be sisters. I want to know every detail of every event long before I go. Then I want to drive by the location if I’m going to be close enough to do that.
Thanks for the tips. These are things I need to remember.
Elizabeth – I know just what you mean about that kind of embarrassment causing confusion. And trust me, I think it’s somewhere in the Parents’ Handbook that we must embarrass our children. As to writing, I think that’s the one thing we really have to so – avoid confusing the reader! One of the things I try to do is give my characters different enough names so that readers can keep them separate. And I try to give them some distinctive aspect (a hairstyle, a hobby, a something) that helps readers avoid being confused about them.
I can’t stand when event organisers don’t make important information readily available. It really is a symptom of the same crowd running the same event for so long they forget that part of their job is to make the event appealing and accessible for new attendees as well. You see this from time to time in games conventions, since gaming is such a niche hobby.
As for how I keep my readers in the loop, I rely heavily on my editor! She spots the things I take for granted, and knows when to rein me in if I’m over-explaining anything.
Prashant–Absolutely! I’m with you. And that’s one reason why *I* liked the Agatha Christie books so much–she’d frequently include a “cast of characters” page, as if it were a play. Next to the characters would be a pithy explanation of their role in the story. Loved that. Yes, and with ebooks, I find it difficult to flip back to find out which character is which.
Paul–That’s exactly the problem. They forget what it’s like to attend an event for the first time. I almost offered to write their website copy for them–simply because then I’d know all the info and could relate the info that I knew people actually needed before going! A FAQ page would just be so helpful. Y
I rely on my editor, too. A lot! Too much? :)
That’s a good point about ebooks, too. I also like to flip back and remind myself of earlier events and characters.
I hate being confused why I read. One of the cardinal rules of writing is that you the writer should gain and foster the reader’s trust.
The moment you confuse them, you lose it.
Ouch! I didn’t consider ebooks at all, a good point. Surprisingly, I have never been confused by the many characters (suspects) huddling together in a Christie novel, that too without a cast of characters, each of whom has his or her distinct identity and place in her narrative. By the time you are through with a handful of her mysteries, you know what to expect at nearly every turn of the page, save for the suspense element. She’s not as predictable as, say, P.G. Wodehouse who is delightfully funny in spite of his stereotypical writing and humour.
Paul–I’ve actually considered, in my self-pubbed ebooks, having a cast of characters page. Although with my self-pubbed books, I try not to have many characters (they tend to be shorter books than the ones I write for my publisher.)
Prashant–She did a good job with characterization, I thought–at least with assigning each character a particular oddity or speech pattern. There is definitely a pattern, also, with her plotting, how she organized books, paced them, etc. There was a sort of comfort in that, to me. Love Wodehouse, too! And Gardner. :)
Maybe even a character list on your website so readers don’t have to change pages to check back on them?
Paul–That’s an excellent idea! Could be part of the author extras. I know for a while Amazon was connecting with Shelfari for something similar….it showed up on the Amazon book page for the book. But I believe I heard they’re now going to connect with Goodreads for that service. Need to check back in on that. Of course, I’d *rather* have readers on my website.
Teresa–We *are* sisters! I’ve driven by event locations and parking decks before attending, if it’s an important event. :)
I’m glad I’m not the only neurotic one here… :)
Margot–Ha! Yes, I just constantly embarrass my kids. :) They go, “Mom!” and cover their eyes. It’s funny sometimes, actually.
Distinctive traits are so important for characters, aren’t they?
Hah! Awesome when having way too many writing utensils actually pays off and doesn’t make you look crazy.
One of the easiest ways to confuse me is to have two characters with very similar names. One or two letters different does not make a different name and finding out I’ve been reading a chapter from the perspective of the wrong character is extremely annoying.
CBame13–Yes, usually the pencils and pens that are falling out of my purse, sticking out of notebooks, and covering the seats and floors of my car are just another writer oddity–until they suddenly become very useful!
And I’m so with you on the name thing. Ken and Len, Dolly and Molly, Jed and Fred…ugh. If I have to stop reading and try to figure out who the characters are, I might just as well pick up a different book on my TBR list.
Sometimes we see it all in our head and think it’s clear, but we need to get it down on paper or our readers won’t understand.
My way of traveling would scare you. I just print out a map an hour before I depart and then I just go. I’ll figure it out when I get there.
Glad that you got to save the day, but that is too bad when newcomers are made to feel even more awkward.
I just got through reading a good book, but it was confusing. The main reason was that there were so many characters and their names were unfamiliar to me. I really do understand what you are talking about. Great post.
Have a great week,
Kathy M.
That sounds so much like something I would do!!! And I love that your pencils saved the day – yay!! :)
That’s why my critique partners rock – they find the stuff that doesn’t make sense.
Misha–You’re so right–it’s a trust issue. We’re shepherding them through the story and don’t need to lose them along the way.
Diane–That terrifies me! Now I’ll have nightmares tonight. :)
Kathy–The number of characters can be key. I’ve made the mistake of including too many characters in my first books (readers let me know it was a mistake!) And you’re right–unusual names, sometimes too many foreign names, can make the reading tricky.
Alex–Your crit partners do a great job for you!
My husband would be in heaven married to you instead of me. He gets so frustrated that I sort of wing it most of the time. I figure I will figure it out. I TRY though, to not confuse my readers… (though I confess to getting on streaks with names… getting halfway into a book and realizing half the characters have names that all start with J or some such silliness.
Hart–Ha! Not sure my husband would agree that I’m heaven to be married to. :) Too neurotic!
What I’ve read of yours hasn’t been confusing at all!
Jemi–It was a happy moment in a confusing day!
Late, but a great post. I’ve been dealing with figuring out how much information to include–just enough to ground the reader, but not a bunch of technical stuff, even when what’s going on IS technical stuff. Writing what you might be the “rule” but it can be darn boring! Learning new stuff to include in your books is much better, I think.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Hi again!
Just wanted to congratulate you and let you know that you were voted as Second Best Giver of Writing Advice in the Paying Forward Awards.
Please check out my blog to see how you can claim your prize.
Misha
I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your post, Elizabeth. You crack me up. LOL :o)
I remember appreciating “Cast of Characters” list at the beginning of Christie novels, too. One of my pet peeves as a reader is when an author has several character names bearing the same first letter.
However, in the mystery I’m writing now, there ARE two that share an “H”: Handy and Hannah. Hopefully, they’re different enough as people that I’ll get away with it…
Elizabeth, your comments on not confusing our readers are good stuff. I try to be very aware of the new kids and help orient them as they come through the door.
But in real life, I have a suggestion for you (you won’t take it, because it’s marvelously impractical.)
Give up your home, and you and your family live as nomads for a couple years.
Three years ago, I realized I was becoming homebound emotionally; a collector of stuff, and a good bit agoraphobic. I, too, had to know EVERY detail before I’d cross the threshold.
We sold (some) or gave away (most of) our stuff, packed what fit into our minivan, and spent 2 years house sitting and traveling the US and Canada. Not only did it cost less than living in California, but it forced me to continually, every single day, accept that I could not know what was coming next. We had days when we didn’t know where we were sleeping that night until mid-afternoon. (And the one and only night we slept in our van, a thing we vowed NOT to ever do, was when the biggest freeway in California was closed just north of Los Angeles due to a BLIZZARD. Some things, you just can’t plan for.)
Ah; you’d think my middle initial stood for “Derailer” the way I tend to head off into the sunset sometimes on your posts.
I don’t like reading nor writing twisty plots. But what I do like is how you tied together so nicely your personal experience with writing. Fantastic!!!!
And speaking for embarrassment…well, you mean to tell me I’m not the only one who gets into twisted (ooppss…have I used this word already?) situations?
Joel–Ack! Think my heart skipped a few beats reading about being a nomad! What a brave thing to do, though. I love the *idea* of it. :) I love the *idea* of being adventurous and taking life as it comes. But then I go back to my lists and my research and my overall need to control my environment…ha! I was a girl scout, can you tell? I like to be prepared.
A blizzard in LA?! Blizzards, period, wouldn’t be good for me–as the South has gotten warmer, I’ve gotten rid of most of my wool stuff.
I’m out of my house quite a bit….because of my extroverted and involved kids! But, yes, when they leave the nest, the temptation will be to stay in as much as possible. :)
It’s good to derail! I like hearing others’ experiences, especially when they’re so different from mine. :)
Terry–I enjoy learning new things when I read fiction. I think it’s all in the delivery. I don’t like reading acronyms, for instance, or being expected to know jargon when writers use it. But I love getting some new info as a reader, if it’s delivered in an entertaining way.
Henya–Thanks!
Good to hear there are others who get into twisty situations unexpectedly! I seem to make a habit of it.
Misha–Thanks so much! How kind of everyone. :) Popping over.
Janet–I think that works fine…mostly because the characters are different genders. I don’t have a tough time as a reader unless the names are for the same gender. :)
And thanks!
Whew! I was worried since I’m writing chapter 4 and Handy and Hannah are in it together. I started to notice and thought “Uh oh…”.
Btw, in terms of reader confusion, I also try to “reintroduce” a character that’s been out of play for awhile by mentioning what they look like, where they work, speech tag, food/drink they favor, etc.
By setting this up early on, I sorta embed the connection. Then, when I refer it to again, I not only refresh the reader’s memory, but also get a chance to slip in some more backstory or additional character info. :o)
Janet–I do the same thing–a short reintroduction. I didn’t think of it as being a great opportunity to slip in more backstory or character info–great idea!
Great post on feeling displaced. It does irritate me when I character makes an appearance and I have to look back to remember who he is and what he has to do with the story.
And, I KNOW about attending events for the first time. It seems they need a newcomer to write the directions and instructions. If you’ve been doing something for years and years you think everyone knows where to go and what to do.
I agree with Alex…my beta readers do not shy away from telling me what’s confusing! Thanks for the great list of idea.
First of all, Elizabeth, I am *so* with you on wanting to be prepared for events before I go. I want maps, I want to know where to park, etc., etc. This trait is why my insistence on pantsing my stories cracks people up. :)
Thanks for the great list of how to prevent confusion among our readers. I like adding a reference to the setting (often just part of a sentence) at the beginning of every chapter–just in case they managed to set the book down despite our best efforts. :)