Pro Writing Tip #4: Show Don't Tell

Today's writing tip is a very important one, especially for brand new fiction writers. This is arguably the most common mistake that you will make as a rookie. Don't feel bad, because literally everyone does it at first. The key is to realize that you're doing it, understand why it's bad, and learn to stop!

Don't describe every single detail with long-winded exposition - Show Don't Tell!

This may seem strange to you, and if it does, it's because you're guilty of it! It may feel really good to write a 700 word paragraph describing every single finite detail of something -- character's looks, setting, a particular building, or a situation -- but the result is actually counter-productive. See, while you're chiseling out those details because you want your readers to see exactly what you see in your head, your reader's eyes are glazing over. You have to give your readers some credit. They have imaginations too. Give them one or two very vivid details about something, and believe it or not, they'll be able to fill in all the gaps.

I want you to see this in action. Go find your favorite novel right now, I'll wait here for you.

.........

Back? Ok, good. Now flip through that book and find the part where the author describes the main character. Chances are very good that what you're looking at right now is a short paragraph that gives a few simple details about that character -- most likely their hair color and/or style, what they're wearing, their eye color, or some little flaw that makes them unique. That's all you really get, but chances are ALSO very good that you have a fully fleshed out image of that character in your head by the end of the book. The same thing goes for settings. Author's will typically only give you a few key details about a place and your brain fills in the rest. Think of descriptions like MADLIBS. You just plug in the important stuff (the stuff that conjures the most vivid and specific image) and the reader does the rest. So, Pro Writing Tip for today:

Pro Writing Tip #4: Don't describe every single detail with long-winded exposition - Show Don't Tell!

I think my next tip is going to focus more specifically on details, because there's a lot more there than you'd think. Choosing the right details to accomplish the right task is tricky. So keep an eye out for that post.

As always, please check out my other blog at http://secondworldfantasy.blogspot.com, comment on this post here, and now that I've launched the website for my new Fantasy Books, please head on over to http://www.shardoftheoldones.com and check out previews and artwork there.

Until next time!

Curtis "C.D." Galluzzo
"Nerdy is the new sexy!"


Pro Writing Tips: Learn To Write Better Today