Show
don’t tell, show don’t tell,
show don’t tell…
It’s
like some incessant mantra that writing teachers
chant at their students – but do they really
hear? Show, don’t TELL!
Publishers and editors too will
throw the phrase at you, with a patronizing air,
as though you have deliberately not done so. What
do you do in these situations? Simply shrug and
move on? Show, DON’T tell... The reading public, strangely,
seems completely oblivious to the distinction,
except in an obvious, vote with their feet way
– that is: authors that SHOW always outsell
authors that TELL by about 100
to 1! SHOW, don’t TELL.
I can’t stress how important
it is to grasp the profound difference between
showing and telling in your writing.
And what a powerful impact it can make – to
your readers, of course, but more especially to
your chances of being taken seriously by the
publishing industry.
So, take the advice, okay? Show, and do not tell.
Yes, but what does the phrase actually mean?
Do you know what one ingredient all best-selling
novels have in common? Are you thinking they are
all great stories written by brilliant authors?
They all sold plenty of copies at the bookstores?
Perhaps - but there's one common ingredient every
one of those best-selling writers includes into
each book...
The one trait that keeps readers hooked from
beginning to end...
The one
quality that has editors begging for more
manuscripts...
The one
ingredient your story should have, too...
Do you
know what it is?
The
authors of these books are masters in the art of showing
– not telling.
Wouldn’t
you like to see your own novel up on those
best-seller lists, too?
Let's
face it - an editor is going to show a preference
for a professionally written manuscript,
containing every ingredient possible to make sure
your chances of success are maximized.
The art
of showing your story to your readers versus
telling them about it is not a skill that comes
easily to many writers. But it is a skill that
can be learned.
Wow! This book is so amazing. I don't
want to miss one ounce of information. It
is challenging me as a writer and I feel
"stretched" - if that makes any
sense! I have a 4 year degree in
journalism over here in the states, so I
thought I knew a little bit about
writing. I'm taking notes, doing the
exercises, going over my stories....it's
fantastic! I'm also so impressed by your
timely responses to my e-mails. Your
support and professionalism has been
overwhelming. Thanks for all your
help. And thanks for a wonderful book!
Gina
Thank you for your help and
guidance. I know that I would not
have been able to write this story
without the knowledge I gained from your
book. And I ask you to keep your
fingers crossed for me, as I do the
rewrite and start the submissions
process. Tommie Lyn
In my time as a writing teacher and mentor,
I’ve been forced to realize that many
writers really don’t seem to know –
even if they think and say they do!
What about you? Do you know how to turn tired,
dry storytelling into vivid and compelling prose?
Even if you do in principle, do you still
experience difficulty actually changing the way
you tell stories?
Well, maybe that’s because nobody in
authority – someone who really knows –
has ever gone out of their way to explain what to
do and how its done – in a down-to-earth,
practical and doable way.
Until now. The "Show,
Don't Tell" Study
Pack from Robyn Opie Parnell, author of 86
published books Now you can learn to enhance your own
writing from the comfort of your own computer!
This
comprehensive study pack will show you how
best-selling authors create their masterpieces.
You’ll learn how they hook audiences into
each novel and keep them breathlessly turning
pages until they reach the end!
Here's what students are saying about
Robyn Opie Parnell's Show, Don't Tell Study Pack
with her mentorship (See the bottom of this page
to find out about Robyn's mentorship.):
It's celebration time. Champagne corks
are poppin and streamers are flying about
in wild red, green yellow and blue
dissarray. One of my short stories,
"Savannah" has been accepted
for publication by Long Story Short. It
is scheduled for release April. Needless
to say I'm excited and appreciative of
what I've learned from your course. I
believe show don't tell was a major
contributing factor. Thanks a lot. Gene
I found you to be an interesting teacher.
Your criticisms were always constructive
and encouraging. Not once did I feel I
was spoken down to or made to feel
inferior. The enthusiasm you have for
your chosen profession comes through in
all of the responses you sent me.
The pace of the course I felt was
excellent. I liked the iterative approach
you took to give students the tools to
undertake the "Show" way of
writing. Good writing that grips a reader
in the fabric of the story and never lets
go is hard to do. Your course I believe
shows students how to achieve this
involvement.
Your course gave me just what I wanted. I
knew there was a flaw in my writing, but
didn't know what it was. Now I realise
that a writer must "Show" or
perish. The assignments were excellent,
each one took me out of my comfort zone.
This is a good way to reinforce the
approach needed to produce writing that
sparkles.
I did get far more from your course than
I expected. The price you charge is very
resonable. Warren
I can only give
you a rave notice. I found it both
enjoyable and informative… I found
your constructive criticism excellent and
I'm sure I have learnt a lot. The
examples you showed really stood out and
were a big help. If you have other short
courses in mind I'll be happy to enroll.
Bruce
This unique Study Pack from one
of the Net’s greatest authorities on writing
is available now!
It features: 10
in-depth modules and assignments
Contents:
Module 1: Show, Don't
Tell: What It Is And How It Works Module 2: Show, Don't Tell
and The Various Genres (Immediacy
in the Better Genre Fiction) Module 3: Show, Don't Tell
and Character (Characters
– Do They Feel Real or Real Distant?) Module 4: Show, Don't
Tell: Supplemental Module 5: Show, Don't Tell
and Dialogue (Dialogue:
All You Want to Do is Talk Talk) Module 6: Show, Don't Tell
and Conflict (The
Holy Trinity – Conflict, Obstacle and Drama)
Module 7: Show, Don't Tell
and Plot Progression (Gunpowder,
Gallows, Treason and Plot) Module 8: Show, Don't Tell
and Short Stories (Money
for Old Rope: Short Stories Revisited) Module 9: Show, Don't Tell
and Editing (Seven
Strategies for Submission Success) Module 10: Show, Don't
Tell Bonus
Inside this pack, you get serious in-depth
analysis on every aspect of story construction
from characterization, perfecting dialogue,
handling conflict, plotting, self-editing and
much, much more. Each module finishes with simple
yet brilliant exercises to help you hone your
writing skills.
Robyn makes Show, Don't
Tell easy and fun. Anyone can become a master!
All this for the special
introductory price: only $29.95
Click on the above link and the entire study pack
will be yours within seconds.
It
even goes into detail as to how you can re-write
short stories you thought were dead in the water
but with a little bit of ‘show don’t
tell’ magic can be transformed into
veritable cash pulling machines!
No kidding!
Because, despite what you may believe, editors,
agents and publishers are crying out for good MSS
that engage the reader by the technique of
showing rather than telling.
It’s just that most authors simply
don’t get it…
Show, don’t tell. It sounds so easy,
doesn’t it?
But do you really you know the difference?
Are you sure? Pay less than the absurdly low
price of just under $30 for the entire package
and you will be.
Do it now.
Telling is so implicit in the soul of so many
writers, it could be you’re not even aware
when you’re doing it to the detriment of
your success.
Don’t take the risk that you’re missing
out on your chance to become a best-selling
author.
Learn from a master.
Ever wondered why certain of your stories/novels
are continually rejected? Especially the ones
you’re the most proud of? Think about one of
your works now.
Is it passive – or fully active?
Is it the best it can be? Are you capable of
improving it, changing its focus and creating a
world where your readers live, as opposed to
having them wade through so much static and
dispiriting text?
If
you’re in any doubt whatsoever, you must
look at this study pack. You can have all your
money back within 30 days if you’re not
completely blown away.
And
at just under $30 this exciting, revelatory study
pack is so affordable, you’d have to be
crazy not to take advantage of this very special
offer.
After all, what price success?
Click
here to learn more about this
comprehensive guide on how
to write a great children's book
by Robyn Opie Parnell
Click
here to learn more about this
comprehensive guide on how
to write a great picture book
by Robyn Opie Parnell
All rights reserved. Robyn Opie
Parnell, Copyright 1999-2013, and forever.
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you want to learn the secret 
