Exposed By Exposition

“If you do need to do research because parts of your story deal with things about which you know little or nothing, remember that word “back.” That’s where research belongs: as far in the background and the back story as you can get it. You may be entranced with what you’re learning about the flesh-eating bacteria, the sewer system of New York, or the I.Q. potential of collie pups, but your readers are probably going to care a lot more about your characters and your story.” -Stephen King, On Writing

“Exposition is the easiest thing to write badly and the hardest thing to write well.” -John Yorke

“People always use words to not say what they mean. They constantly use language to avoid saying the things that are true. In Lady Bird when her mom is yelling at her about the room, what she wants to say is ‘I’m scared.’ And she can’t say that. So she says, ‘Why do you never clean up your room?’ -Greta Gerwig

The best writers excise as much exposition as possible. Whatever’s left, they then hide and structure in creative ways. They fully trust the intelligence and imagination of their audience.

The best actors find a way to make expositional dialogue compelling. Usually this is achieved through some sort of inner conflict. They fight against the line. “I don’t really want to have to tell you this, but…” Watch some procedurals. Notice how the stars do it.