Mastering Dialogue: Breathing Life into Your Conversations

Dialogue is the heartbeat of any compelling story. It’s through the conversations between characters that emotions are conveyed, relationships unfold, and plots take shape. Mastering the art of writing engaging dialogue is crucial for writers who strive to create narratives that captivate readers. In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey to explore the intricacies of crafting dynamic and…

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Reblog: 3 Places Told Prose Likes to Hide – By Janice Hardy…

3 Places Told Prose Likes to Hide – By Janice Hardy…

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Meet This Author & Editor: Ashley Earley

Q: When did you begin writing stories?A: I started writing when I was 14 years old. I think I finished writing my first horrid draft—and X-Men knockoff—within 7 months. Since then, I’ve never stopped. I’ve completely immersed myself in the industry, starting my own book editing business called Earley Editing, LLC and writing as much as I can on the side. Q: What led you to creating your…

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How to Create Compelling Characters in Your Writing

Writing a story is not just about crafting a plot and a setting; it’s about creating characters that will capture your reader’s hearts and minds. Compelling characters are the heart and soul of any good story, and as a newbie writer, it’s essential to learn how to create them. In this article, we’ll go through some tips and techniques to help you create compelling characters in your…

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Adverbs and Your Writing

I have read quite a bit regarding the usage of adverbs when writing fiction. Most of what I’ve read says not to use them. Period. Yet, I still see adverbs in fiction. Can we catch them all. Hmm…maybe. I think the key is to go back through during your edits and look for those and those alone and nothing else. Yes, do an edit just for searching out adverbs in your writing. When you do your initial…

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A Fiction Writer's Secret Weapon: Show, Don't Tell

Most writers have heard the advice, Show, Don’t Tell. But what does it really mean and how do we use it in our stories?

Presented by: Leslie J. Hall Date: April 10 – 21, 2023 (two weeks) Registration Closes: April 18, 2023 Pricing:  A2P Member fee: $15 Non-A2P Member fee: $25  About the Workshop: Most writers have heard the advice, Show, Don’t Tell. But what does it really mean and how do we use it in our stories? In this workshop, we will review the meaning of Show, Don’t Tell and discuss how this tool…

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The Devil's in 'Em

The Devil’s in ‘Em

Happy Couple comes into the bar,Dangerously close to one another.The bartender looks up from his want ads. From All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow I’m a big fan of Midsommer Murders on TV. It’s quirky enough to make me want more, even though I’ve seen every episode released so far (I think.) The program(me) (it’s British) is based upon a series of detective novels by Caroline Graham. I finished…

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Writing Fundamentals Series – Proper Tone and Voice

The tone and voice of your writing are crucial components of its effectiveness. Here are some important aspects of establishing the proper tone and voice: Consider your audience: The tone and voice of your writing should be tailored to your intended audience. Consider factors such as age, education level, and cultural background when determining the appropriate tone and voice. Choose a tone…

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Show, Don't Tell... Writing to inspire...

Show, Don’t Tell… Writing to inspire…

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com It’s barely above 25 degrees this morning here in Georgia. So, burr… It makes my coffee that much better, if that’s even possible. Anyhoo, today we’re talking Show, Don’t Tell… What? Yes, that’s I said. So here goes! Have you ever read a book and you felt like you were there? Why? Because the writer put into words what the character was seeing. Of course…

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Day 19 #MarchoftheWriter

  Method to your madness There’s certainly a method I follow with all my books. First, I break the rules constantly. But hey, that’s my style. My books are easy to read, thrilling page-turners. Explosive!I had a hard time getting around the well-known phrase ‘SHOW DONT TELL’. It’s instilled in me now, but my editor still catches my slip-ups. I love writing in first person, as it helps me get…

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The Power of Descriptive Writing: How it Brings Stories to Life

In the world of literature, words hold a special kind of magic. They have the power to transport us to new realms, evoke emotions, and ignite our imagination. One of the most potent tools in a writer’s arsenal is descriptive writing. Beyond mere sentences, descriptive writing paints a vivid picture that engages all our senses. In this blog post, we will journey into the realm of descriptive…

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THE PROBLEM WITH ADVERBS & BEARS IN THE DOGGY DOOR: Let’s Show, Not Tell.

We’re continuing with our monster “Show Don’t Tell” series of podcasts and posts. Adverbs are a big place where you tell and not show. So, if I wrote, “You are the sexiest manatee in the world,” Ham-Ham said hopelessly. Would you think that works? Would you feel how Ham-Ham said it hopelessly? Janice Hardy is brilliant and she has a really simple way of explaining how to determine whether or…

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The Federation is a Dystopia

The Federation is a Dystopia

Before I begin: I have not seen Star Trek Picard or Star Trek Discovery, this is not based on those. It is based on what I observed in The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and some Voyager. If you watched early TNG (The Next Generation) you’ve seen the episode The Neutral Zone which reintroduces the Romulans. This episode had a b plot of finding a ship with people from the 20th century in…

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How to Show Your World-Building

When you don't have a reader insert, how can you show-not-tell what all of your characters already know?

Writer’s Craft: Background Information There is no cryogenic sleeper. There is no visitor from a strange land. There is no audience insert character through whom you can show the whole world with untarnished eyes. Everyone you have to work with already knows everything. They have Mostly-Perfect Knowledge of the world. They wouldn’t think this superstition or that tradition is strange. “So…

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The Art of Show, Don't Tell in Writing

When it comes to writing, one of the most commonly cited pieces of advice is “show, don’t tell.” But what does that mean, exactly? And why is it so important? In this article, we’ll explore the art of showing rather than telling in writing, and how it can elevate your writing to the next level. What does “show, don’t tell” mean? “Show, don’t tell” is a piece of writing advice that encourages…

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Setting: Show vs. Tell

Setting: Show vs. Tell Integrate setting into the overall story by showing instead of telling and by avoiding overindulgent description.

Show, Don’t Tell is a common bit of advice in creative writing. It is especially important when describing setting. Explaining Description Young or new writers often try to tell the reader too much about the environment a character inhabits. This often happened by giving one concrete detail of the setting then explaining what this detail means, such as, “The sofa had a tear in the arm rest,…

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