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.
Just ask Gina, a journalist from the United
States!
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
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, author of more than 70
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's Show, Don't Tell Study
Pack:
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 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
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
course. And I ask you to keep your
fingers crossed for me, as I do the
rewrite and start the submissions
process. Tommie Lyn
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:
* Show Don’t Tell – What It Is
and How It Works.
* Immediacy in the Better Genre Fiction
* Characters – Do They Feel Real or Real
Distant?
* Show, Don't Tell Supplemental
* Dialogue: All You Want to Do is Talk Talk
* The Holy Trinity – Conflict, Obstacle and
Drama
* Gunpowder, Gallows, Treason and Plot
* Money for Old Rope: Short Stories Revisited
* Seven Strategies for Submission Success
* 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?
Would you like Robyn's
personal mentorship? Would you like to receive
her personal feedback on your 'homework'
assignments? For $177 you can enroll in the Show,
Don't Tell Masterclass and, for ten weeks, engage
Robyn as your personal tutor. What a fantastic
deal! Click below to take the full mentored
version:
Click
here to learn more about this
comprehensive guide on how
to write a great children's book
by Robyn Opie.
Click
here to learn more about this
comprehensive guide on how
to write a great picture book
by Robyn Opie.
Robyn Opie, Copyright 1999-2010.
Old Teddy illustration by Donna Gynell.
