In the early stages of our writing, we
sometimes tell the action rather
than show it.
Tell: Lucy feared the dark night held something dangerous,
something lethal.
Show: A tingle crackled along Lucy’s spine, a tingle that grew
into an all-out fear that sent a pounding throb deep inside her brain so she
couldn’t think. Something was out there…in the dark…waiting…waiting for her.
Showing
allows the reader to feel that s/he
is in the middle of the action along with the characters.
Of course, there are exceptions to
this rule. In transitions, such as moving the character to a new location, tell works well. Example: Julie stomped
out of the room and slammed the door shut behind her.
When writing action scenes, take
the reader along on the journey with the character by showing what is happening as it happens. The Russian writer, Anton Chekhov said it this
way:
Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken
glass.
Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:
Ordinary Guru Project Contest. In the
international bestseller, And Then I Met Margaret, real estate
entrepreneur and founder of Mind Adventure, Inc. Rob White recounts 21
stories of personal transformation brought about by his encounters with
everyday, ordinary, unassuming gurus who crossed his path over seven decades of
living.
We’re looking for
short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, cartoons, and
poems about ordinary gurus. Ordinary gurus teach us what we need to
know in order to expand our view of ourselves and the world. These gurus aren’t
just people— they can also be anything in nature that offers you an
insight or life-lesson, perhaps a pet, a wild animal, or even a tree that helps
you see yourself or life differently.
Whomever/whatever the ordinary guru, your story must
embody a personal experience. Entries must be previously unpublished, no
longer than 1,200 words, and can be as short as a few sentences. Your story
must be an original creation.
PRIZES:
§ First Prize: $5,000
§ Second Prize: $2,500
§ Third Prize: $1,500.
Deadline: August 31, 2014.
Submission details at http://ordinarygurus.com/contest-entry-form/
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