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Put Yourself in the Moment
Learning to master the art of show don’t tell.
As a writer, I struggle with showing the events of a story unfolding through description.
This is common feedback I receive from editors who review my work. I have no problem visualizing what I see inside my thoughts; translating that image into a literary scene onto paper is a different tale.
Last month, I attended a self-editing workshop where I had a chapter excerpt reviewed for critique. The advice I received regarding my submission regarding show don’t tell is to put yourself in the moment being illustrative through your words.
Allowing things to occur before someone’s eyes instead of stating what happens creates a more vivid and experience for a reader. I know it has and does for me.
I recently signed up for an online show don’t tell course to help me improve my craft. One assignment was to write an action scene that incorporates the use of all or most of your five senses — sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. The following excerpt I completed about overcoming the fear of bench-pressing heavier weight: