Showing instead of telling is difficult. Most of the time, it's hard to think of how to show something. I forgot who gave me this writing tip, but it's one of the best ones I know: show through action. Or, in other words, show through your character interacting with the world. Here's an example: It … Continue reading Best way to show instead of tell
Tag: tell
When to tell instead of show
We've all heard the saying show, don't tell. Even as I edit, I find instances where I need to point that out. However, telling does have a purpose. It's about how it's used. And perhaps understanding it more will help writers know when and when not to use it. There are two main concepts where … Continue reading When to tell instead of show
Common writing mistakes #8
#8 — The Words Feel and Felt No matter what POV you write in, you’re going to come across the words feel or felt at some point. When I edit novels or when I edit my own work, I find a lot of feels and felts. These words are sometimes glossed over without realizing the potential that could be brought to your … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #8
Writers will never run out of stories to tell
After every concert I go to, I notice more how artists are all different—unique—even if they play the same songs. For example, no one ever sings "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay" the same way. They all put their own twists and spins on it. If you don't believe me, try it. Click on … Continue reading Writers will never run out of stories to tell
We can’t tell a “single story”
So, I watch Ted Talks from time to time. One of them caught my eye recently, and I decided to share it with y'all. It's called "The danger of a single story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Toward the beginning, she mentions how: "All my characters were White and blue-eyed. They played in the snow. They … Continue reading We can’t tell a “single story”
Common writing mistakes #4
#4 — Common misused words We type a word. It’s spelled correctly. Microsoft Word isn’t flagging it either. It sounds right too! But I love that Disney fairy tail doesn’t quite look right. It can get more complicated than that. There are long lists of words we think we know, but we don’t. Or we … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #4
Which side of the story?
Stories get pieced together strangely. I can tell you a story about a hero. She saved many children by keeping them away from harm. She may have used violence to stop her enemies, but the children were safe at the end of the day. She gave the most she could and never asked for a … Continue reading Which side of the story?
Book review – So Much I Want to Tell You (Spoiler Free)
“Remember that the world we can see is the one that really matters, and never lose sight of that.” Title: So Much I Want to Tell You: Letters to My Little SisterAuthor: Anna AkanaGenre: nonfictionPages: 208Publication date: June 13, 2017Publisher: Ballantine Books Anna Akana, best known for her YouTube channel, published a book for her … Continue reading Book review – So Much I Want to Tell You (Spoiler Free)
#1 writing mistake
Over the years, I've read hundreds of novels and short stories. One mistake sticks out the most: showing the story instead of telling it. Telling is when a writer states their story rather than shows it through the details. An example would be: There was mist over the lake. Showing your story is when actions describe what's … Continue reading #1 writing mistake
Robin LeeAnn 