No one wants to read an info dump. Fewer want to read a "maid and butler" conversation. Can we get away with either option without compromising the story? Maybe, if our hero picks up new plot points from the shadows.
The Eavesdrop - when a character (and the audience) receives information from other characters when no one knows their conversation is being overheard. This can typically lead to a paradigm shift in any given story or add suspense during the reveal of new details.
This is, after all, how Jim Hawkins (above) learned of Mr. Silver's pirate life! He overheard this reveal by hiding in the bottom of a barrel. How about them apples?
If you're a David Eddings fan, you'll know what I'm talking about. The man is a master of The Eavesdrop, since this trope occurs in several of his works. C.S. Lewis did this with two characters in The Horse and His Boy - even Brandon Sanderson's Vin listened in on Kelsier early on in Mistborn. Perhaps you're trying to avert a galactic war and end up hearing all you need to know while hiding in the eaves.
"Best place to reveal secrets, EVER!"
The downside to this trope, however, is misinformation - missing part of the conversation that frustrates the plot, rather than help. It could make an ogre out of anyone!
"So much for eating rats together ..."
A trick can be played when characters know they're being listened to - leading to messing with one's head.
(Long scene, best part at 3:38)
Much ado can be learned when you eavesdrop, be it serious or silly. Perhaps this remains an effective trope since eavesdropping is such a common practice. So long as people have ears, they will assuredly listen in.
Have you applied The Eavesdrop in your writing? Did it turn the story around or reveal intriguing details?
I'm David, and did I just say that out loud?
I had this thought reading the post today that your continuing appeal in blogging is not what you say but how you end up saying it. Now I have new author/books to look up AND something technical to consider!
ReplyDeleteTrying to think if I've used this. Sad when I can't remember what I wrote in my own books, huh?
ReplyDeleteThe adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing is SUCH a great film. Love the eavesdrop! I think any scene where backstory is revealed through dialogue helps sugarcoat any info dump. The reader won't know they're learning, plus at the same time, you get to develop your characters through the way they communicate with one another.
ReplyDeleteI have another one! Severus Snape eavesdropping (and not hearing the whole story) on Sybil Trelawney's prophecy about Voldemort.
ReplyDeleteOooo, I love it! Much Ado is fantabulous!!
ReplyDeleteHave I mentioned that I love Tuesday Tropes? Maybe every tuesday?
I have a small example of this, but it's in no way misleading, so that's good. :D
ReplyDeleteThis is another great one! Although I enjoy the maid and butler conversations on Downton Abbey, most of the time they are better overheard than participating in :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when people overhear misinformation, or misunderstand the information they do hear--kind of like the gossip game where a sentence becomes completely convoluted at the end. Not the best for moving a plot, but fabulous for adding comedy.
ReplyDeleteYup, I actually used it twice in my current book, though in very different situations/contexts. It can be overused and trite if you're not careful...hopefully mine doesn't fall into that trap...but it's also very useful!
ReplyDeleteI think every single episode of Three's Company used this trope.
ReplyDeleteI don't use it much in my own writing, but since I do write in 3rd person limited, the audience often knows more than the other characters.
Creates nice dramatic tension.
One of my least favorite events is one someone overhears a small piece of information and that is the main conflict of the story. Usually they mishear that info. This is WAY overdone in romance novels. Which I'm sure you don't read.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be surprised. ;)
DeleteI'm a big fan of the late David and Leigh Eddings. I read their stuff twenty years ago and was amazed by it. But what the hell is going on with that cover? The lettering looks like it's all Harry Pottered out now and "The Belgariad" is the title of the series, yet has huge letters? LIKE WTF?! They're going to put the title of the series full frontal and make the title of the book some byline that barely is visible with the naked eye?
ReplyDeleteAy carajo. Good thing Eddings is dead as they crap all over his masterpiece for money.
I know.
DeleteThank goodness for old books and secondhand shops.
Aww, no one wants to hear Butler conversations? That's a bummer. *Grins*
ReplyDeleteI've used the eavesdrop in my writing. ...I think it went well. So far, no one who's critiqued it has told me I need to take it out.
ReplyDeleteBTW, how are you liking The Graveyard Book? I started it, but put it aside and will read it over the summer. It felt like a slow summer read to me. :)
Started it last night. Great hook. Plus I love ghost stories. The question is why haven't I read that one sooner?
DeleteThat's such a great idea!!! I'm going to think about adding this to my draft. Thanks David!
ReplyDeleteOne word for info dump, David--yuk!
ReplyDeleteI've done the eavesdrop thing twice; one revealed a plan to kill the queen, the other is a little more complicated. I used it to show both sides of one character to another.
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't think I had but then I remembered two scenes in two separate works. Huh.
ReplyDeleteI've used eavesdropping a few times; it may not be the strongest of ways to reveal information but it does happen in real life. Of course. :P
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that movie of Much Ado About Nothing!
Excellent tips, Dave. Thanks for sharing (and not whispering :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I totally have an eavesdropping scene ;) It's a great way to get information--and can add intensity if done right :D
ReplyDeleteFab post as always, DPK.
:D
Um...no, actually. Which is rather surprising. I mean, it's really common. Why haven't I put an eavesdropping scene in there?
ReplyDeleteMaybe I have. I'm probably just too tired to remember.
-Jackson
I love a good eavesdrop. No one likes to admit they do it, but we all do. Even our characters!
ReplyDeleteMan, that is one of my favorite scenes from Much Ado About Nothing! ;) Sarah Rees Brennan also uses a lot of eavesdropping in her Demon's Lexicon series.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I have used the eavesdropping scene. In my current WIP, I have an eavesdropping scene (much like you discussed) where the MC overhears bits and pieces of the conversation and totally misconstrues it. This leads to her reacting in a way that causes a major conflict later on.
ReplyDeleteooh! I love this one. (I think I say that every week.) Apparently I think tropes are fun! The first one that comes to mind is in the first Pirates movie when Will Turner over hears "oh-so-many-things!"
ReplyDeleteLove and miss your tropes, David! How have you been? I have written a few eavesdropping scenes. They are so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI haven't used the evesdrop but now I want to. Great post and I love Much Ado about Nothing. I think it was Shakespeare who penned the phrase evesdropping.... I could be very wrong. Don't quote me on that one. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've done the eavesdrop thing a couple of times actually. Though only once in each novel thankfully. Finally there's a trope I have used.
ReplyDelete