Mastering the Art of Fiction Writing session1 @ Dartington Hall - Totnes

SESSION 1: SECURING A READER THROUGH BETTER USE OF EXPOSITION

The first session of this new fiction writing course began at Dartington Hall today - a  beautiful location - one of the best I've ever worked in.

To begin studying what mastering fiction writing entails, we consider the uses of exposition.
This is the one area that many writers find a challenge. It is difficult to know what to put into exposition.
The common mistakes writers make when writing exposition are:

• too much telling, not enough showing 
• static information loading
• ignoring the Golden Triangle

The writers at Dartington Hall considered all of the options in dealing with these main banana skins.

​[MORE DETAILS BENEATH PICTURE]​ 

Datrington Hall in the April sunshine.

The 3 most important aspects of strong exposition are:

1. Authenticity 
2. The 5 elements of background
3. Adding value

AUTHENTICITY
It is important the your reader feels that your situation/context is authentic. A writer achieves this by establishing a strong voice, giving your character a point of view, selecting the best perspective for the job.
THE 5 ELEMENTS OF BACKGROUND
These are the basic content that strong exposition requires. They are:

1. background detail
2. historical context
   
3. setting
   
4. characters' backstory
   
5. prior plot events
   

ADDING VALUE
A writer adds value by ensuring that all sentences are strong and all paragraphs are coherent and follow a line of thread.

Romeo, Romeo...

TODAY'S TOP QUOTE:
Hilary Mantel:
'The best viewpoints are always implied.'
BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF IMPLED VIEWPOINT.
The time was prearranged and letters written, her mother's paper so thin compare with Brandt's expensive vellum.
                                                                       The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton