Thoughts Abut Writing A Novel - Show Don't Tell

 

 

If you plan to write a novel, are a new or experienced novelist or someone who likes reading about an author’s thoughts on writing, I hope you will find this brief blog post interesting.

To write quality fiction it isn’t enough to have a good idea for a story. Whether we write literary fiction or popular fiction we need to understand how to write effectively and hold our readers’ interest. For the novice and experienced writer there are numerous non-fiction books about How to Write. These include subjects such as creating believable characters, viewpoint and show don’t tell. Show the main character in each scene through what he or she says, does and thinks. This allows the reader to experience a protagonist’s emotions and reactions as though watching television, a film or a play.

Since the action arises from the characters, by dramatizing them they can demonstrate essential information and give hints.  Ask yourself what the characters want and feel. You can show through specific details, thoughts and action, what is important or relevant to them. This can also be shown by the reactions and thoughts of other characters. 

Was, were, had, feel, felt and feeling are words that tell instead of showing. They should be used sparingly.

As soon as possible answer the questions. Who? Where? What? When? How? And Why.

I hope you agree the first sentence my novel, The Captain and The Countess answers the first two questions. .

 

“London 1706

 

Edward, the Right Honourable Captain Howard, dressed in blue and white, which some of the officers in Queen Anne’s navy favoured, strode into his godmother’s spacious house near St James Park.”

I avoided using the word ‘was’ because it would have told instead of showing. Captain Howard was dressed in blue and white tells instead of showing. Incidentally, had, feel, felt and feeling, should be used sparingly for the same reason.

Fairy Tales continue to have glamour and a grip on readers, whether young or old. Previously ‘Once Upon a Time there was…’ often began the story. Today, a writer needs to avoid this.

 

 Please visit my website to read the first three chapters of my novels. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

Publisher BooksWeLove

 

My novels are available from: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BooksWeLove, Good Reads, Kobo, Smashwords and Walmart.

 

Your comments would be appreciated.

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