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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11773-Show-me-so-that-I-can-see-and-feel-it.html
Short Stories: January 25, 2023 Issue [#11773]




 This week: Show me so that I can see and feel it!
  Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

‘Show, don’t tell’ is valuable advice for every writer. Perhaps even more so for the short story writer. The limited word count in a short story means our writing has to work a bit harder. Let’s look at how we achieve it in Part One of this mini-series.


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Letter from the editor

*Reading* Why we should show, not tell
‘Showing’ brings our stories to life. It helps the characters jump off the page, allowing readers to connect with the stories much faster. When we ‘show’, our readers take part in the scene. When we ‘tell’, they only observe the scene.

Example - Telling
It was a dark and stormy night. The shutters were flapping in the wind. The noise woke the man. He looked out the window at the harbor. The wind was blowing, and the boats were at its mercy.

Example - Showing:
It was the slap-bang-slap of the shutters that woke him. The howling wind had tugged them loose. He slid the window up and tried to grab at the swinging shutters, but the wind grabbed it back.

”We’ll have to get it from the outside,” Marc said behind him. “Dad’s already on his way down to secure the moorings. The boat has come undone.”He tried to reach the shutter again, but the wind held it back. “Dammit.” He grabbed his slicker and followed his brother.

As they made their way down the path, the rain hit them, stinging their face. The swell was huge, and the waves crashed with merciless abandon. The boat hit the jetty with another thud and something splintered.

*Reading* A closer look...

In the ‘telling’ example, there is more distance between the reader and the story. The reader is told what's happening but not provided the opportunity to feel the urgency, tension, or fear.

In the ‘showing’ example, we know very little about the brothers and their relationship with their father, but their actions are more emotional and specific.

*Idea* Choosing a viewpoint character will help you to focus your writing.

*Idea* In the telling example, we’re being told what the weather was like. In the showing example, we can almost feel it. Try to avoid using the words see, hear, feel, smell, and touch.

*Idea* Be specific with descriptions; layering them for emphasis.

*Idea* Try to avoid using 'telling' words. If you find yourself using words like 'was', ‘were’, ‘is’, ‘are’, ‘have’, and ‘had’ - you might be telling.
Words such as ‘appeared’, ‘wondered’, ‘decided’, and ‘seemed’, make us ‘tell’. Instead, try Using strong verbs like tugged, grabbed, peered, pelted, picked, and crashed. Can you feel the difference?

*Idea* Dialogue helps! As soon as characters start speaking, they come alive. Remember dialogue includes the words spoken aloud, internal thoughts, body language and expressions, and dialogue tags.

*Target* Stay tuned for Part 2 next time!


Editor's Picks

 
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Flame the Baby Dragon  Open in new Window. (E)
A Baby Dragon's Quest to Find His Mother
#2288572 by Espero Author IconMail Icon


 
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Mistake or Meant to Be? Open in new Window. (18+)
Mallory's friend helps her set up her dating site app but neither knows what they're doing
#2288533 by đŸŒ» thankful pwheeler nano Author IconMail Icon


 
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Leverage Open in new Window. (E)
It's a standoff and the stakes are high.
#2288543 by Madelyn Gobble Gobble Stone Author IconMail Icon


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The Journal Open in new Window. (18+)
A writer researches the Salem Witch Trials, never expecting what happens next.
#2288429 by Cubby Author IconMail Icon


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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Comments from my last Short Story Newsletter, "And the beat goes on...Open in new Window.:

"Thank you to the writers who submitted these comments. It does not hurt to review the points given here. My main mistake is that sometimes I am in a hurry and do not reread the work. Because of this, I do not catch simple errors that other readers do catch. Careful people do reread and focus. If there is a deadline coming up, then one must give yourself plenty of time. Good work takes time. That also includes reading and editing their work. It might make a difference between first place or no place at all. That is what you want, right?"
~ Dorianne Author Icon

"Nothing like starting things off with a chuckle, or sigh."
~ BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon


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