Show and Tell—Not Just a Game We Play

Writing teachers pound it into us. Books on writing repeat it until we feel we’ve been beaten. And if we’re brave enough to put our work in front of our peers for review, we are pounded yet again—Show, Don’t Tell, our critics intone. But what is meant by this frequently repeated advice?

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Story-specific words add an extra dimension to a story. They are beyond correct punctuation and grammar. They are deeper than plot and characterization. They go to a third level of writing, a level that deals with layers and symbols and meaning and rhythm. Mastery of the elements at this level assures the writer that each story is not only a good read but a great work.

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We all want to write better fiction. This video gives you keys to achieving that goal and tips on what you can do to improve your writing.

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How to write a novel—everyone has advice. This is mine. Tips for writing the novel you always said you’d write.

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Detail in fiction can bring stories to life. Use details specific to the story and characters to add punch to your writing.

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Coleridge’s willing suspension of disbelief is often quoted to explain how a reader can immerse himself in fiction and why it’s important for a writer to create believable worlds. Explore the importance of the suspension of disbelief.

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Bold characters and vivid scenes are remembered by readers. Write with boldness, without hedge words, to give life to your fiction.

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Fictional characters have kept us all company, have fed our dreams, may even have haunted our nightmares. Learn tips for writing memorable fictional characters.

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Theme in literature and fiction is a statement, a conclusion, drawn from a story. It’s a truth about the human condition that a reader takes away from a novel. You can define theme as a statement, a truth, about people or life as revealed by a book.

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We get advice out the wazoo about a novel’s opening chapter. We can find information about how to write the final chapter. But what are the tips for starting a novel’s second chapter?

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