[ SECRET POST #2763 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #2763 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 060 secrets from Secret Submission Post #394.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Re: Creator's Attitudes Toward Their Creations

[lyriel]

"Also are there any commonly used pieces of "writing advice" that you are unsure or even outright disagree with?"

I think the idea of "show, don't tell" gets badly misunderstood and over-used, in both fanfic and professionally-published novels.

Personally, as a reader, I have no problem whatsoever with simple statements like "He was angry" or "It was raining." I recently stopped reading a book because the author spent two or three long paragraphs expressing the fact that it was raining, instead of just being direct about it.

I like a very clear, straightforward, minimalist writing style. I will not read a bunch of "her face was flushed, her heart was racing, her palms were sweating, her jaw was clenched, her lips were trembling, her pulse was pounding" instead of "She was angry." Get to the freaking point. I find that type of writing rather silly and melodramatic and YA-ish.

I also don't mind "info dump" and I actually believe it can be interesting if it's done well.

People think "show don't tell" means using elaborate metaphors and flowery language instead of just giving your reader the information. What it *actually* means, IMO, is "don't make statements that you can't back up."

If you tell me over and over again that Character X is brave, then she should also *do* some brave things, or else you're telling but not showing. If all of Character X's bravery happens off-stage, so to speak, then you're expecting me, the reader, to just take your word for it, without seeing these supposed character-traits in action.

To me, "show, don't tell" means that you need to back up your statements with evidence. If a writer tells their reader "this person is awful" or "this place is scary" but they don't actively demonstrate *why*, then that's telling-not-showing.

Unfortunately, a LOT of people in both fanfic and profic seem to think it means using purple prose and lots of vague, excessively wordy language, instead of keeping the plot moving forward. That's what irritates me.

Re: Creator's Attitudes Toward Their Creations

[jaybie_jarrett]

People think "show don't tell" means using elaborate metaphors and flowery language instead of just giving your reader the information. What it *actually* means, IMO, is "don't make statements that you can't back up."

IA. If you SAY that your character is say 'more responsible than most people her age, you need to prove it. If you say your character is modest you need to prove it. Have their ACTIONS say that she is those.