Show, Don't Tell - Why Don't The Greats Play By The Rules?

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Write4U2

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I follow one simple guideline which seems, so far, to lead to entertaining writing:

Tell when it's boring, show when it's interesting.

So if you need to skip over a big chunk of time--say, a journey--because you don't want to spend any time on boring stuff, just tell the reader it happened and move on to the exciting part.

There's a place for both, then, and what you said makes perfect sense.:Hug2:
 

maestrowork

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Show vs. Tell is NOT a rule.

Repeat after me: It is NOT a rule.

It's simply best practices. Writers and readers of all ages have determined that stories are better "experienced" than "told." They think it's more exciting, riveting and involving when the readers are put into a world and they have to observe everything and make their own conclusions and experience the sounds, tastes, sights, etc. instead of being told "she was beautiful."

But in no way that is a rule.

Now this is a rule: Keep your readers engaged and turning pages.

Whichever way you decide to write your novel, remember that golden rule.
 
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