Happily Ever After Cafe discussion

I'm back hoping for more input as I continue the nearly endless process of editing my Western historical romance.

This time, my dilemma involves the Great Grasshopper Plague of 1874-1875 (actually extending beyond that date, but often so titled). I only found out about this recently. I'm moving my fictional small town north to reduce the impact the "hoppers" would have had, but I'm unsure as to how much to mention it. I would rather not have the invasion overwhelm my plot. I also suspect that not that many readers know about the "plague," though I would probably mention it in my Author's Note at the end.

My question: does it bother you, and if so, how much, if you know about an event the characters in a book would have on their minds to some extent, and that event isn't mentioned?

Thanks for any comments!

Would the hoppers have any impact on the story itself? If not, then it would not be a good idea to mention it except in the Author's Note.

People don't want to be taken out of the story to read stuff that doesn't have any impact - that's the sort of stuff I skim over as waffle.

The hoppers wouldn't affect the outcome of the romance. If I included them, I could use them in ways related to the romance, such as the man worrying that the woman's farm family would leave town.

Sandra wrote: "Would the hoppers have any impact on the story itself? If not, then it would not be a good idea to mention it except in the Author's Note.

People don't want to be taken out of the story to read s..."

If you have a reason to use them then go ahead, but don't go into too much detail, that's what the Author's Notes are for. I love reading that sort of detail after the story.

Thanks for your comments!
Sandra wrote: "If you have a reason to use them then go ahead, but don't go into too much detail, that's what the Author's Notes are for. I love reading that sort of detail after the story."

You're welcome :)

I ended up including the bit I mentioned in my 7-6-19 post, as well has having townspeople donate to the relief of those in the hard-hit regions.