Traps! 1.0

[CKO]

This will be the first of several threads that is made specifically to help us writers when we are doing our IAs. It is simply named "Traps!" because each thread will have one thing (trap) that I believe hampers us. The trap will be discussed and we can share ideas of how to minimize or not fall victim to the trap.

 

Many writers give several reasons for their Chapter's unique traits, to the point that it is too much. When every other sentence is about one thing, such as explaining why your Chapter has x y z you have fallen into the "Why Trap". They went there because of this, they did this because of that, they have this because of that, just stop you dont need to do that you are wasting time and energy. You dont have to explain everything, stop thinking that we as the reader is constantly asking you why, because if you do you have fallen into the "Why Trap".

[Octavulg]

Please tell me the last time anyone did that?

 

EDIT: Also, I as the reader usually am constantly asking why. I'm unhelpful that way.

[CKO]

I am not sure, I have caught myself trying to justify certain things and it prevents me from writing or getting as far as I would like, I belive I am not alone. Yes, asking yourself why can be helpful but it can harm you if you do it to much.

[Aegnor]

I agree "why" can become a trap. In and of itself, it's always a good question to ask, and for the author to ask themselves. However when addressing every "why" becomes the focus iof your writing, you'll be in trouble as you will likely have lost track of the biggest why "why am I writing this in the first place".

 

Authors will write better if they have a solid basis of understanding the who and why of their subjects, but as readers we actually don't always need all those things detailed to us - particularly if they bury the interesting stuff or lead the author off in (largely) pointless tangents. Mostly the answer to this issue is that the author should have plenty of notes etc for their own reference, but carefully select what and how they present to their readers (which can also save authors time in nailing down EXACT details that aren't relevant - so long as they understand the broad brushstrokes of an event/piece of history).

 

I have no issue with an unexplained "why" in a story, so long as I have the sense the author knows what he's doing and what I'm reading is interesting. It's not a disaster if you read something and think "I wonder why that character did that".

 

So yeah, "why" can become a trap when it becomes a goal in itself, rather than simply an important tool to help you reach your actual goal.