One of the surest ways to write a lifeless scene is to think primarily in terms of the information you need to impart to the reader.

Good scenes in novels are active. They’re centered on characters who are doing something, whether that’s trying to accomplish a goal or even simply trying to figure something out. We become invested in whether the protagonist is going to get what they want, particularly when there are hopes and dreams and clear stakes involved.

When an author is only thinking about What The Reader Needs To Know in a paternalistic way, the resulting scenes tend to feel forced and lifeless. They turn the characters into sock puppets for delivering information and deprive scenes of energy and momentum.

Here are some of the ways imparting information can lead you astray and some advice on what to do instead.

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