It is.
Though, writing is more show then tell.
Think of it this way: Show is the entree and tell is the drink.
And your entree is way bigger than your drink. (Or it should be under normal circumstances.)
One thing a lot of people seem to agree on is that when writing, show the reader that the character is funny or sad. Don't tell them that "Joe was very upset when he got home from school". Show them that "As soon as Joe got home, he ran upstairs to him room, tears already spilling down his cheeks".
You see the difference?
Readers are smart. They know that if someone is crying, there is a really good chance that someone is sad.
And if you're wondering about the possibility that they won't get what you're trying to say, say it.
It's okay to (sometimes) tell them what is going on.
Readers don't know everything.
Keep Writing!
- The Book Season
Monday, 26 January 2015
Monday, 15 December 2014
How To Never Meet Mary Sue
Have you ever met someone who is completely perfect? No? Well, neither have I.
That is, except for this one girl. Can you guess what her name was? Mary Sue.
Mary is that one girl who's always there and is so perfect, it makes you want to vomit because that's not how real people work. Real people have flaws. Mary doesn't. Real people have to work hard for what they want. Mary doesn't. Real people aren't the best at everything. Mary is.
Beware of Mary Sue. She comes in many different forms and ruins your book. This is how you avoid her:
1. Give your characters flaws.
I know this seems like an obvious one, but you don't realize that you have probably made the mistake in the past, are going to make the mistake in the future, and/or are making the mistake as we speak.
The number of people who hate Mary Sue outnumber the people who do. Nevertheless, every single one of them have flaws.
And remember, a character with one big flaw can be equivalent to a character with a bunch of small flaws, thus making them both pretty equal in that department.
2. Allow your characters to make mistakes.
It's okay. We all make them...except for Mary. Trust me, your characters will too.
3. Write diverse characters.
Why, might you ask? Because people are diverse. Again, Mary isn't. She's your stereotypical character that has been overdone.
Plus we need more diverse books.
I hope that helps you avoid her for the rest of your life.
Don't forget to subscribe, follow, and share this post if you liked what you read!
Keep writing!
- The Book Season
That is, except for this one girl. Can you guess what her name was? Mary Sue.
Mary is that one girl who's always there and is so perfect, it makes you want to vomit because that's not how real people work. Real people have flaws. Mary doesn't. Real people have to work hard for what they want. Mary doesn't. Real people aren't the best at everything. Mary is.
Beware of Mary Sue. She comes in many different forms and ruins your book. This is how you avoid her:
1. Give your characters flaws.
I know this seems like an obvious one, but you don't realize that you have probably made the mistake in the past, are going to make the mistake in the future, and/or are making the mistake as we speak.
The number of people who hate Mary Sue outnumber the people who do. Nevertheless, every single one of them have flaws.
And remember, a character with one big flaw can be equivalent to a character with a bunch of small flaws, thus making them both pretty equal in that department.
2. Allow your characters to make mistakes.
It's okay. We all make them...except for Mary. Trust me, your characters will too.
3. Write diverse characters.
Why, might you ask? Because people are diverse. Again, Mary isn't. She's your stereotypical character that has been overdone.
Plus we need more diverse books.
I hope that helps you avoid her for the rest of your life.
Don't forget to subscribe, follow, and share this post if you liked what you read!
Keep writing!
- The Book Season
Sunday, 14 December 2014
Welcome To The Book Season
Hello world!
It's me here blogging to you all about...well...writing.
Why, might you ask? Because I love writing and I want to talk about it. It's sort of like me and books — I love sharing my opinions with whoever will listen.
Of course, I'm not a professional writer and shouldn't be regarded as one, but I know a fair amount and hope that at least one person will get something out of this blog.
Keeping with the whole idea of being anonymous online, I'll be writing to you all under the alias The Book Season.
You can also find me at heartscrowns,blogspot.ca where I blog about books because book nerds and writers go hand in hand, right? I'm on Twitter @TheBookSeason and @HeartsAndCrowns, on Instagram @TheBookSeason and @HeartsCrowns. My FictionPress account is For The Love Of Writing, in case you're interested.
Okay then, I think that's all. If you'd like, share this blog with you're friends and subscribe. It helps me out a lot. :)
Keep writing!
- The Book Season
It's me here blogging to you all about...well...writing.
Why, might you ask? Because I love writing and I want to talk about it. It's sort of like me and books — I love sharing my opinions with whoever will listen.
Of course, I'm not a professional writer and shouldn't be regarded as one, but I know a fair amount and hope that at least one person will get something out of this blog.
Keeping with the whole idea of being anonymous online, I'll be writing to you all under the alias The Book Season.
You can also find me at heartscrowns,blogspot.ca where I blog about books because book nerds and writers go hand in hand, right? I'm on Twitter @TheBookSeason and @HeartsAndCrowns, on Instagram @TheBookSeason and @HeartsCrowns. My FictionPress account is For The Love Of Writing, in case you're interested.
Okay then, I think that's all. If you'd like, share this blog with you're friends and subscribe. It helps me out a lot. :)
Keep writing!
- The Book Season
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)