AuthorHi, I'm Ray Evans. I'm a certified copyeditor and proofreader. Archives
September 2023
Categories |
Back to Blog
Listen up, aspiring wordsmiths and literary geniuses. It's time to embark on a writing journey so stupendous, you'll wonder why you didn't think of it sooner. Put your pens to paper, your fingers to the keyboard Appeal to the SensesYa know what really gets me going? Engaging my senses! Make your readers feel like they're there with the characters by describing how things look, smell, sound, taste, and feel. When you add in these sensory details, it's like they've entered a whole new world, one Jumanji board game at a time. Don't just say that it's a beautiful day; describe the warmth of the sun on their skin, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the sound of children laughing in the distance. Smellavision hasn't been invented yet, so it's up to you to create an immersive sensory experience. Use strong verbsGood golly, Miss Molly! Strong verbs are the lifeblood of showing, not telling. Ditch weak verbs and adverbs in favor of potent, evocative verbs that give your readers a front-row seat to the action. The burglar didn't simply "run" away; he "sprinted" or "bolted" or even "scrambled" like a startled cat(imagery and similes also help too). Let dialogue do the talkingNobody knows how to reveal character and emotion better than the characters themselves. Craft meaningful, snappy dialogue that tells readers about your characters without needing a neon sign that says "Sad" or "Angry." If your character is seething with rage, let their dialogue convey it with clipped sentences, expletives, or biting sarcasm. Employ body language and facial expressionsOh, the nonverbal dance! Facial expressions and body language are the unsung heroes of showing emotion. You don't have to say that a character is nervous if their hands are fidgeting. A coy smile speaks volumes about flirtation without saying a word. Readers love deciphering the unspoken cues, so let them have at it. Show emotion through actionActions, dear writers, speak louder than words. Let your character's actions reveal their emotions
without explicitly telling the reader how they feel. A character might "slam" a door in frustration, "tremble" in fear, or "squeeze" someone's hand in reassurance. So there you have it, folks! The key to writing vivid scenes is to "show, don't tell." With this guide in hand, you'll soon be crafting tales that'll take your readers on a magical journey through the realm of imagination.
0 Comments
Read More
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |