Comments on: A Writer's Greatest Crime

By: Beth Mikell

Beth Mikell — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:10:24 +0000

Great post! Thank you, Shannon. I tend to overdo my emotions while writing and find myself sinking. It really comes down to balance. Happy I found this! 🙂

By: tiffanylawsoninmanisnakededitor

tiffanylawsoninmanisnakededitor — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 07:20:29 +0000

In reply to Shannon Donnelly. Standing O for Raymond Chandler!

By: Laura Dodson

Laura Dodson — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 17:57:17 +0000

Good information, this is helping me out this morning!

By: saraletourneau

saraletourneau — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:08:44 +0000

In reply to SD Writer. That's a good point. I'll keep this in mind. Thanks again. :)

By: SD Writer

SD Writer — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 22:22:26 +0000

In reply to lynneinpborough. I have a theory that there are two types of writers: those of us who overwrite and have to cut and those who underwrite and have to add. I've friends who fit into the underdone category, but I'm one of those overdo ones and I have to watch for that. It's always something that adds a challenge.

By: SD Writer

SD Writer — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 22:16:22 +0000

In reply to saraletourneau. Telling is not a bad thing. I think the best advice is to show more within scenes, and tell when you need transitions or to get in and out of scenes. But a lot of great writers have great narrative--lean on your strengths. (Besides you can never tell the balance of things until you have it done and can go back and edit -- so don't worry until then.)

By: SD Writer

SD Writer — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 22:14:38 +0000

In reply to Barry Knister. I actually think it's more than empathy--that implies the ability to feel for someone's condition. A writer really has to step into that skin and become that character--and sometimes that means you need the tricks first until you really get deep into the story. I'm a big believer in "fake it until you make it."

By: lynneinpborough

lynneinpborough — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 06:00:52 +0000

I've 5 draft novels and now working my way through the edits of the first one that's 3 years old. Lots of telling and I'm glad I didn't finish it at the time. Your post is a very helpful reminder of what we all need to look out for. I'm not 'writerly' and have to remind myself to add some descriptive. Many thanks

By: saraletourneau

saraletourneau — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:35:41 +0000

Thank you so much for writing this article, Shannon! I'm concerned that I might be doing too much telling and not enough showing in the novel I'm writing. So anytime I find a resource with recommendations on the topic, I read it carefully. I'm even printing your article right now for future reference.

By: Robyn LaRue

Robyn LaRue — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:59:10 +0000

In reply to Shannon Donnelly. Yes, it usually does and this one was timely for me as well. Thank you. :)