Welcome Guest: Cindy Sample

Please welcome our treasured guest Cindy Sample who shares a delightful take on this week's topic of TMI. Cindy Sample is the author of a humorous romantic mystery series which takes place in the California gold country. Her sequel, DYING FOR A DANCE was just released by L&L Dreamspell.  Learn more about Cindy on her website www.cindysamplebooks.com.

Cindy is also the co-chair of Left Coast Crime 2012 in Sacramento (with Robin Burcell). She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime. 

It's been my great pleasure to chat with Cindy at a number of local evants and national conferences--you couldn't ask for a more friendly or funny writer! Please welcome her to the LadyKiller's blog.

HOW TO MURDER A FIRST DATE or A FIRST CHAPTER

For some reason, writing a murder mystery called Dying for a Date, about the misadventures of a newly divorced soccer mom who experiments with on-line dating and matchmaking agencies, makes everyone assume I am also an expert on dating. There are dead bodies strewn throughout the pages of this book. I wonder if people think I’m an expert on murder, too.

Well, I do own a copy of Poisons for Dummies!

While writing this series I discovered there are some interesting parallels between dating and writing, particularly the similarities between disclosing TMI on a first date and including TMI in a first chapter.

For those of you who have been out of the dating scene for awhile, it’s far more entertaining than anything you’ve seen on Jersey Shore. While I have met some delightful individuals, I’ve also met bachelors who evidently never learned the concept of sharing “too much information.”

What I’m looking for on a first date over coffee is a lot like what I want in the first chapter of a book.  Introduce me to your character. Let me become comfortable with your voice so I want to learn more.

But on too many occasions within five minutes of our meeting, a total stranger will reveal the most intimate details about his failed marriage. Or share angst-ridden stories about his childhood. Disclose every wart imaginable. Even his shoe size.

Okay, the last could prove to be useful information. But do I really need to know his medical history in complete and terrifying detail? Not if it includes the use of specialized equipment or pills in order to put a smile on his face. Save that information for the third date, please.

The same thing applies to the first chapter in a book. Do your readers really need or want to know the entire history of the protagonist in those first few pages? Can we save their back story until chapter three when we’ve finally begun to develop some empathy for this character? Wouldn’t the story be more exciting if their personal issues were eked out little by little instead of a tedious information dump?

I definitely believe that full disclosure is imperative in both relationships and books, but why not maintain a little mystery in the beginning. Dole out discreet and delightful morsels as you build upon this friendship and potential romance. Gradually build up the storyline and the suspense a little at a time until the reader is begging for more. Then it’s time for that grand denouement to occur in the pages of your book.

And possibly the pages of your life.

Cindy's latest, DYING FOR A DANCE, is now available.

Comments

[Betty Gordon]

Good interview, Cindy. I feel for ...ummmm mature people dating now, but then there's always the possibility the right one will come along.

I never associated a first date with a first chapter, but you're right -- a lot of similarities.

[Christy Tillery French]

Interesting blog, Cindy. I like the analogy and agree, TMI can be bad for an early relationship; is very bad for a novel. I'm reading the 2nd in your series and really enjoying it.

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks Christy and Betty. I didn't really think of the parallels until I was asked to guest blog and then I was amazed at the similarities. What I can't decide is if I should share this post with any of my "first dates."

Glad you're enjoying DYING FOR A DANCE, Christy.

[Camille Minichino]

We can always count on you, Cindy, for a laugh and for insight into many worlds! Love the parallels you've made here! Maybe you need to write a handbook!

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Camille. I will admit it's crossed my mind to share a top ten list of what "not to do" on a first date. Although I have a feeling I would warrant a TMI citation myself.

[Matthias]

I wish you had shared this years ago. Excellent topic and kindly written (always). Thank you Cindy. M

[Mysti]

Maybe if we approached first dates (and first chapters) as if we were meeting a *friend* for the first time. Guys never bore other guys with long life history when they first meet, and women seem to instinctively know when to share what with new women friends (I know a few exceptions, but I like to think they prove the rule!).

I'm tackling my first chapter this weekend--your advice couldn't have been more timely, thanks!

[Ellis Vidler]

You did make me laugh. I'm not looking for a date (thank goodness! what a terrifying prospect), but I do meet people, sometimes at writers' gatherings. Too often they want to give you their entire life story before you have a chance to know them or care. It's like backstory in the opening scene. Excellent analogy, Cindy.

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks Matt, Mysti and Ellis. Glad you all enjoyed the analogy. It was fun and fascinating to explore. I could share even more details of those early encounters but that really would be TMI!

Congrats on tackling that first chapter, Mysti.

[Lizjasper]

Cindy, the only problem with writing a first chapter like a first date is what if you are an awkward first-dater? You'd have long, uncomfortable blank pages. Maybe some ink spatters on the type. Mismatched fonts. LOL

Great post! --Liz

[Cindy Sample]

Hi Liz. I have yet to meet anyone who has too little information to reveal. Although maybe it's my smiling and empathetic countenance that causes them to over share. And as a writer, sometimes TMI can turn into a future scene (but don't tell anyone I said that)!

[Maddy]

I am in the revision phase at the moment so that is quite a timely reminder for me. Far better to be scything out excess verbiage on a computer than having to meet face to face with a prospect.

[Jacqueline Seewald]

Cindy, I agree with you about not info dumping either in the beginning of a novel or on a first date.
In a mystery, info should be doled out a bit at a time. We need to keep the reader interested and turning those pages.

Best,

Jacqueline Seewald
THE TRUTH SLEUTH

[Cindy Sample]

I'm glad I could be of service in the scything out process. Can't wait to see the final version.

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Jacqueline. You are a master at keeping those mystery readers enticed.

[Dana]

Info dumps, whether in fiction or in real life, are rarely helpful... Love the post, Cindy!

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Dana, although there is a high probability I've been the dumper as often as I've been the dumpee!

[Zoë Sharp]

Hi Cindy
Great post. I usually liken a first chapter or meeting a character for the first time to having someone sit down next to you on a bus. If they start telling you intimate details of you life, you'd get off and walk at the next stop, but the more intrigued you are, the longer you stay along for the ride :)

[Susan C Shea]

Excellent analogy, Cindy, and you dance around it gracefully! I would not even think of doing the dating thing again. It sounds squirmy. I see banging my head slowly against the wall as entirely preferable. But knowing you, no matter how strange they are, these bad first dates will find a way into your next book in your distinctive, humorous, good-natured style.

[Ann Parker]

Great food for thought, Cindy! Thank goodness for revision opportunities to deal with first chapter TMI. Too bad one can't similarly revise a first date, once it's over!
;-)

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks Zoe. I like your analogy. I'm constantly amazed by the information strangers will share. Of course I just save it in my memory bank as a funny future scene.

And I always sit in an aisle seat!

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Susan and Ann. I must admit I get a big kick out of listening to the stories on my coffee dates. And if they are brave enough to go out with the author of DYING FOR A DATE they've already earned extra brownie points.

[Margie Yee Webb]

Hi Cindy, sounds like some of your dates have been open books... Thanks for your writing advice!

[Cindy Sample]

Very funny, Margie. I have a feeling I should start wearing a "Proceed with Caution" sign on my dates.

[Jenny Milchman]

TMI equals backstory. I love it!

I didn't even know there was a Poisons for Dummies!

[Cindy Sample]

Oh,Jenny. Every mystery author must have a copy of Poisons for Dummies in their library. There are a plethora of poisons to choose from. Quite fascinating!

[T.W. Fendley]

Loved the analogy! AND loved Dying for a Dance. Now I have to go back and get Dying for a Date (how did I miss that one!)

[Linda Lovely]

Cindy, sorry to be late to the party. What a terrific post! Funny and true--which is one of the secrets to the humor in your books. All of us mere mortals can imagine ourselves in the situations you describe even if we're not dating or dancing. Keep writing. Can't wait for book number 3!

[Alyx Morgan]

Nice post, Cindy. Yes, I've had my share of first dates that never had a repeat. I couldn't wait to get away from them because of the information dump. But I like how you linked that with a first chapter of a book, too. I need to remind myself that readers can get to know my characters throughout the book(s), & don't need to know everything in Chapter 1.

[Jo Robertson]

Interesting post, Cindy. I like the analogy between first chapters and first dates. Definitely some folks are inclined to give TMI!

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Theresa and Linda for the lovely comments. Life provides us with such rich experiences and so much great material for our books.

[Cindy Sample]

Hi Jo and Alyx. Thanks for the comments. I'm glad my post provided some helpful input and hopefully I didn't share TMI!

[Sue Swift/Suz deMello]

OMG Cindy, you are so right. I once had a lunch date with a guy who told me his whole life story, incuding the details about his late wife's final illness--apparently she lingered even longer than the date did! And this date seemed ENDLESS. It's a definite turn-off, just like info dumps in the first chapter.

[Cindy Sample]

Hmmm I wonder if Mr. TMI met both you and I?

[Rebecca Dahlke]

Thanks, Cindy, for posting this over at the All Mystery e-newsletter's yahoo group... we pay attention to our members blogs and, in this case, get to have a chuckle, too!

[Cindy Sample]

Thanks, Rebecca. I'm glad I was able to provide a giggle or two for you this weekend.

[rita lakin]

What's this! Out of the goodness of my heart (read laziness)I give up my precious time slot and this upstart takes over my place and gets 34 comments! Unheard of. Unimaginable! I, the queen of First Friday might get 5 comments or so if lucky.

Dare you unseat the Queen? Will you even get to read past 34 comments to catch a whiff of my ire?

This is war, Princess Cindy. I'm in the middle of reading your funny book now and for spite I might not laugh out loud anymore.

Hmmf, 34 comments. I am miffied I tell you, miffed. LOL

Rita

[Cindy Sample]

And here comes # 36. Long live Queen Rita. May she LOL forever!

[rita lakin]

Bless you, my child.

Rita