Withholding Information in Nathan Englander’s “Reunion”
Laura Spence-Ash explores the creative pitfalls of withholding information in fiction writing, particularly when a writer is focused on delivering a clever or impactful ending. While writing toward a planned twist or “aha” moment, authors may withhold key information from readers, which can unintentionally drain energy from the story and create emotional distance. The reader often senses something is being held back, reducing engagement.
To make her point, she cites a 2017 craft talk by Aimee Bender, who quoted Annie Dillard’s advice:
“Spend it all… Give it, give it all, give it now.”
Dillard warns against hoarding good ideas or insights for a future scene or project. Instead, writers should share their best material immediately, trusting that more inspiration will follow. Holding back, she argues, leads to creative stagnation: “you open your safe and find ashes.”