Show, Don't Tell - part VIII
the colour purple22 total reviews
Comment from Earl Corp
I keep finding these very helpful. But I think I'm more guilty of the other end of the spectrum. Lots of tell not enough show. Thank you for sharing this with us.
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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I keep finding these very helpful. But I think I'm more guilty of the other end of the spectrum. Lots of tell not enough show. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Just practice with it more. if you write a usual paragraph, take it away and work on it a bit. If you do this a few times, it starts to become more natural. G
Comment from K. Lang-Slattery
Thank you for this great addition to your series. Your final bullet point is especially important. Sometimes it's so very difficult to see flaws in your own writing..... hence the importance of beta-readers and even FanStory. The writer's best gift is a reader who understands good writing and will actually point out writing problems. Finding a good editor is key to upgrading your writing!
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Thank you for this great addition to your series. Your final bullet point is especially important. Sometimes it's so very difficult to see flaws in your own writing..... hence the importance of beta-readers and even FanStory. The writer's best gift is a reader who understands good writing and will actually point out writing problems. Finding a good editor is key to upgrading your writing!
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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I'm awful. I'm traditionally published and I do still argue with editors. lol but only if I think it's important.
Comment from Ric Myworld
"Balance." Now that sounds like a word we should pay close attention to. However, unbalanced minds have a tendency stumble over anything outside the ordinary, dips or cracks. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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"Balance." Now that sounds like a word we should pay close attention to. However, unbalanced minds have a tendency stumble over anything outside the ordinary, dips or cracks. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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lol, many thanks as always, Ric. G
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I am not of fan of reading purple prose, so I really hope I don't fall into that trap. I tend to believe the fewer words the better as long and it says what I want it to say. Thank you for helping us understand writing better.
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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I am not of fan of reading purple prose, so I really hope I don't fall into that trap. I tend to believe the fewer words the better as long and it says what I want it to say. Thank you for helping us understand writing better.
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Funny, the next post (IX) addresses this a little bit. Much appreciated. G
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Oh yes! I reviewed one of those last week
and did not review because it left me
speechless. Too much is too little in
some cases. I couldn't get my brain to see
what the author was saying. Good Job G-man. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Oh yes! I reviewed one of those last week
and did not review because it left me
speechless. Too much is too little in
some cases. I couldn't get my brain to see
what the author was saying. Good Job G-man. Nancy:)
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Too much is too little in
some cases. I couldn't get my brain to see
what the author was saying.- one of the best quotes I've heard! lol
Comment from Shirley McLain
Another great teaching about a topic I have not heard before. If I read the info right, one is far less likely to do purple prose if the sentences are kept short. Great job. Shirley
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Another great teaching about a topic I have not heard before. If I read the info right, one is far less likely to do purple prose if the sentences are kept short. Great job. Shirley
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Keeping it tight is a good thing but you need some longer ones in there too, just not useless padding. Many thanks G
Comment from Jesse James Doty
This is well written and has loads of good advice. Thanks for explaining the meaning of purple prose and giving plenty of examples to illustrate the point. I have been guilty of purple prose but as you say most writers have been at one time or another. I am especially guilty of the run-on sentence and need to rein in myself and my writing in that regard.
Thanks for the tips!
Jesse
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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This is well written and has loads of good advice. Thanks for explaining the meaning of purple prose and giving plenty of examples to illustrate the point. I have been guilty of purple prose but as you say most writers have been at one time or another. I am especially guilty of the run-on sentence and need to rein in myself and my writing in that regard.
Thanks for the tips!
Jesse
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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All of us are guilty as charged from time to time. My early tuff was all showing and little movement - awful. lol Many thanks G
Comment from dmt1967
This is another good piece with lots of useful information. My biggest problem with reviewing is, a lot of writer cram the starting hook with a backstory. It is, in my opinion, very off putting. Maybe you could write about that sometime. Thank you for sharing and stay safe.
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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This is another good piece with lots of useful information. My biggest problem with reviewing is, a lot of writer cram the starting hook with a backstory. It is, in my opinion, very off putting. Maybe you could write about that sometime. Thank you for sharing and stay safe.
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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I agree, start in a bit at a juicy detail and fill in later on. Sometimes when the hook is the backstory, I feel kind of cheated. G
Comment from phill doran
Hello GMan,
I have been following this series, and you are doing a fine job - keeping it simple, but making each installment meaningful. The rating is for your work to date, although I am a terror for the purple stuff myself and was doubly drawn to this particular piece.
I am wondering aloud if there isn't a way to make your 'series' available somewhere centrally on the site. I mean, it is relevant in an on-going manner too, particularly for new writers (but we all need reminders from time to time) - just a thought....a 'writing tips' section, somewhere on the site after a post-review period, and outside the reward system.
Still, good stuff. I wish you well with your continued writing.
cheers
phill
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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Hello GMan,
I have been following this series, and you are doing a fine job - keeping it simple, but making each installment meaningful. The rating is for your work to date, although I am a terror for the purple stuff myself and was doubly drawn to this particular piece.
I am wondering aloud if there isn't a way to make your 'series' available somewhere centrally on the site. I mean, it is relevant in an on-going manner too, particularly for new writers (but we all need reminders from time to time) - just a thought....a 'writing tips' section, somewhere on the site after a post-review period, and outside the reward system.
Still, good stuff. I wish you well with your continued writing.
cheers
phill
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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You know we tried to do things like this in the writing forum but certain folk keep turning up and ruining things! lol
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I have to hold my hand up to some of those. Adjectives being one. They often creep into my work when I'm not looking, luck(il)y for me, you spot them! It's strange, but many tell me my books are easy to read. After reading others on here, I realise they are telling me I write in a childish way. In other words, people of any level of education can read my books. No long difficult words. I suppose that's why I like writing children's books!
This is another excellent piece for my Gareth Folder. Thanks, Gareth, you're a diamond field of information. Keep them coming! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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I have to hold my hand up to some of those. Adjectives being one. They often creep into my work when I'm not looking, luck(il)y for me, you spot them! It's strange, but many tell me my books are easy to read. After reading others on here, I realise they are telling me I write in a childish way. In other words, people of any level of education can read my books. No long difficult words. I suppose that's why I like writing children's books!
This is another excellent piece for my Gareth Folder. Thanks, Gareth, you're a diamond field of information. Keep them coming! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 16-May-2022
reply by the author on 23-May-2022
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It's not in a childish way. It's straightforward and the pacing is always good. Spending time on robust verbs is always the best best. G
