Writing Excuses 10.23: Can You Tell Me How To Show?
Per the syllabus for the Season 10 Master Class, June is for painting a scene, and in this episode we’re going to talk about that paint.
We have all heard the “show, don’t tell” rule. In this episode we’ll discuss showing—how to do it well, how to do it consistently, and how to use it to accomplish things that telling just can’t get across.
Liner Notes: We make several references to Episode 3.14, in which Mary (in her first guest-hosting on the show) told us about the four rules of puppetry, as they apply to her writing. That was almost six years ago, so it’s probably been a while since you listened to it.
Homework: Sit in a room and describe the room. Do this for half an hour. Five or ten minutes in you’ll be ready to express hatred for the person assigning the exercise. Keep going for the full 30 minutes.
Now describe the same room in the specific style of a genre—epic fantasy, film noir, police procedural—using only 250 words.
Finally, describe this room from the POV of one of the characters in your current project.
Thing of the week: The Unhappening of Genesis Lee, by Shallee McArthur, narrated by Cassandra Morris.
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