Show, Don't Tell - part IX
tell me more22 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for your devotion to help us become better authors. I always ask myself. Does that really move the story along? If not, it's left out. There seems to be a fine line in leaving it out and being rushed, I'm finding out. LOL Again, thank you.
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Thank you for your devotion to help us become better authors. I always ask myself. Does that really move the story along? If not, it's left out. There seems to be a fine line in leaving it out and being rushed, I'm finding out. LOL Again, thank you.
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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It's always nice to have a bit of colour in the story but nothing that distracts too much. G
Comment from robyn corum
Gareth,
Very cool. There is a place for both. Telling isn't sacrilegious. It's just to be used at the appropriate times for an appropriate length of time. I think you're still doing a marvelous job - curious about how much more you can say! ha!
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Gareth,
Very cool. There is a place for both. Telling isn't sacrilegious. It's just to be used at the appropriate times for an appropriate length of time. I think you're still doing a marvelous job - curious about how much more you can say! ha!
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Many thanks, robyn. G
Comment from damommy
Another very instructive chapter. I'm trying to absorb it all. I may have said this before, but why don't you offer to teach a class. I know you'd have a full "classroom."
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Another very instructive chapter. I'm trying to absorb it all. I may have said this before, but why don't you offer to teach a class. I know you'd have a full "classroom."
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Much appreciated, Yvonne. G
Comment from DeboraDyess
Another well-written article! And SO TRUE.
I'm reading a novel right now and wish the author had taken this advice to heart. lol. I keep thinking I'll lay it down but always hate to do that once I've gotten into a story. But, I swear, this author has introduced a character as 'Margaret, the housekeeper' or 'the housekeeper, Margaret' about 40 times. WE KNOW SHE'S THE HOUSEKEEPER. Give us a break. And there's a lot of tedium in details all through. I think he has a good plot going but... OI! lol
You stated that the less important a fact or scene is, the fewer words it deserves. That's clear, of course, but so well and plainly stated. That stuck out to me. Obviously, I need to go and do some word-cutting somewhere. :)
Blessings and thanks,
Deb
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Another well-written article! And SO TRUE.
I'm reading a novel right now and wish the author had taken this advice to heart. lol. I keep thinking I'll lay it down but always hate to do that once I've gotten into a story. But, I swear, this author has introduced a character as 'Margaret, the housekeeper' or 'the housekeeper, Margaret' about 40 times. WE KNOW SHE'S THE HOUSEKEEPER. Give us a break. And there's a lot of tedium in details all through. I think he has a good plot going but... OI! lol
You stated that the less important a fact or scene is, the fewer words it deserves. That's clear, of course, but so well and plainly stated. That stuck out to me. Obviously, I need to go and do some word-cutting somewhere. :)
Blessings and thanks,
Deb
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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I hate repetition. I will give up on books, though. Bad ones don't deserve your time. It's awful when there's a good story buried in there but it hard to get at!
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
Thank you for posting another installment, I find them incredibly useful.
I applied your advice,
" if it doesn't drive the plot to the conclusion, don't add those details, " for my last flash fiction story. What a huge improvement that made. I appreciate these posts.
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Thank you for posting another installment, I find them incredibly useful.
I applied your advice,
" if it doesn't drive the plot to the conclusion, don't add those details, " for my last flash fiction story. What a huge improvement that made. I appreciate these posts.
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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It's so much more important in flash. Leave out the adjectives and adverbs wherever possible and rely on strong verbs to do the work. that way you have more wordage to play around with. All the best G
Comment from K. Lang-Slattery
As usual, a very interesting and informative piece on the craft of writing. And this one, tells the reader it's ok to break the rules. . . . carefully and occasionally. Thanks for this essay.
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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As usual, a very interesting and informative piece on the craft of writing. And this one, tells the reader it's ok to break the rules. . . . carefully and occasionally. Thanks for this essay.
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Many thanks once again.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Oh dear, you do like making things complicated for us, don't you. You're quite right of course, but there's so much to assimilate... and as I haven't read "the end" yet, I deduce there's more to come still. Kate xx
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Oh dear, you do like making things complicated for us, don't you. You're quite right of course, but there's so much to assimilate... and as I haven't read "the end" yet, I deduce there's more to come still. Kate xx
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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The end is nigh...
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I shall be sad!
Comment from Shirley McLain
Excellent writing and reading. I really appreciate this series because of the help you have provided me. I need to read all of it again. Have a wonderful day. Shirley
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Excellent writing and reading. I really appreciate this series because of the help you have provided me. I need to read all of it again. Have a wonderful day. Shirley
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Much appreciated as always, Shirley. G
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Another excellent piece to go in my Gareth file. I agree with all you say here, and won't feel so guilty when I do have to 'tell' something. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about my latest chapter.
I've been trying to work into my writing lots of what you've been saying. When the book is finished, I'll have your notes beside me for reference while I check through. Well done!! :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Another excellent piece to go in my Gareth file. I agree with all you say here, and won't feel so guilty when I do have to 'tell' something. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about my latest chapter.
I've been trying to work into my writing lots of what you've been saying. When the book is finished, I'll have your notes beside me for reference while I check through. Well done!! :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Only one more to go and then I'm going to go and find a rock to crawl under.
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I've just read it! Well done, Gareth, it was a very useful series of lessons. I enjoyed them. Before you go crawl under a rock, perhaps you wouldn't mind checking my last chapter out. It's different! Only if you're not too tired. 😴🥱🙂xx
Comment from RodG
I think many reader/writers on FanStory will find this chapter very helpful because (1) you clearly explain when to tell and not to, (2) your style is clear and straight-forward, and (3) most important, you use EXAMPLES to illustrate each point.
Rod
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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I think many reader/writers on FanStory will find this chapter very helpful because (1) you clearly explain when to tell and not to, (2) your style is clear and straight-forward, and (3) most important, you use EXAMPLES to illustrate each point.
Rod
Comment Written 23-May-2022
reply by the author on 28-May-2022
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Many thanks, Rod. G
