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Show, don't tellIn life we absorb much though what we see, so much so that if a person walks into a room we can tell if they are happy, sad, surprised, or tired by the way they move, the tone of the voice, what they say, and how they physically react to situations. We don’t need somebody to say, ‘I’m so tired,’ when they are slowly shuffling across the room, yawning and rubbing their eyes. We are smart enough to figure this out from the sensory information we absorb. Show, don’t tell is all about using what we absorb through our senses to describe what triggers our natural assumptions, thereby enabling us to write with a greater depth. Examples: 1) It was cold when Mary left the house. (TELL) 2) A gust of icy wind hit Mary as she stepped out the front door, instinctively she pushed her chin lower into her scarf. (SHOW) 1) The remnants of a night of partying littered the bonfire site. (TELL) 2) The aroma of woodsmoke and burnt sausages lingered in the air. While around a mound of greying ash, entwined bodies of various shapes and sizes snored, and wheezed and released gases into the air. (SHOW) If stories are a true representation of life, it stands to reason therefore that we should share information the way that we would naturally absorb it. Not only that, but writing this way strengthens characterisation (because not everybody behaves the same way), paints a clearer picture and negates the need for awkward, statement-like sentences. Show, don’t tell can be a difficult skill to learn, but it’s worth the effort. In most cases the challenge is simply understanding the concept. Once you have that, chances are the technique will come easy to you. In fact, many people find that it’s not so much learning the skill as recognising it and stopping themselves from showing and telling. Example: It was cold when Mary left the house. A gust of icy wind hit Mary as she stepped out the front door, instinctively she pushed her chin lower into her scarf. (TELL AND SHOW) |
UPCOMING
CLASSES AND COURSES
3 days of workshops
May 18th, 19th, 20th
All Things Publishing Q&A session
May 27th
Group Coaching for Writers
May 29th to July 3rd
UPCOMING
ONLINE COURSES
Writing from the Heart
(true-life/personal essays)
1st June to 29th June
Intro to Short Story Writing
(fiction)
4th July to 8th August
RESERVE YOUR PLACE
TODAY
What people are saying about our online courses ...
'I'm delighted and proud of my first attempt. Thank you for a wonderful course. I have been enriched.'
AK, Zimbabwe
‘You were my inspiration in actually doing something with my writing. I would like to thank you for kicking me in the butt and insisting I do something!’
Bec, Australia
‘Elizabeth, this was a terrific, confidence building, well-honed little course. I would thoroughly recommend it.’
Margot, Australia
‘Writing is a labour of love when we expose ourselves by baring our soul. I believe Elizabeth Bezant has the skill to combine respect for our feelings, with pragmatic strategies to help us publish our precious efforts.’
John, Australia
‘Elizabeth, this was a great course and though it was short it has boosted my confidence in my writing. Thank you!’
Rachael, Australia
‘A very rewarding challenge – not too difficult, not too easy. Every word was welcome and useful. I edit other people’s writing in a really similar manner, but it’s amazing how difficult it is to see those same errors in your own work.’
Margot, Australia
'Great course Elizabeth! I would not have taken the time to seriously try this genre but for your course. I made the last few changes you suggested and have sent the essay in to ............. After reviewing their requirements I see that my piece fits in every way possible.'
SM,Canada
The critiquing to me was the whole point of the course. While the general comments and writing tips were vital as a backbone to the course, the personal interaction and direction was the whole point of it all.’
Sue, Australia
‘I thoroughly enjoyed course, and it being online made it a breeze.’
Rowe, Australia
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‘A publisher asked me to send her some of my writing this year. But I never would have without this course.’
Raewyn, Australia
‘I’ve just sent off the last of the assignments for critiquing and before I go any further I must say a very big thank you to you for the joy you have given me! Not only have I learnt so much from you, but I have also so appreciated all the encouragement and your wise counsel in assisting me to do something that I wouldn’t have believed could have been nearly possible. I will miss you.’
Yvonne, Australia
'Thanks to Elizabeth I can now source markets for personal stories, competently make my writing market-ready and sell it with confidence. Your editing skills are an asset to the writing community. I recommend this course to any writer who wants to break into this market.'
JOH, Australia
'I thought the way the market information was presented was not only informative but importantly for me it was written in a friendly manner. It took away some of the awesome fear I have of confronting the real world of publishing.'
KM, Australia