tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post5021504540941598781..comments2024-03-28T05:29:45.364-04:00Comments on Heim Binas Fiction: Show and tell: not just for elementary school.CKHBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-43428979367620607422010-01-25T00:07:19.036-05:002010-01-25T00:07:19.036-05:00Interesting. I like that you quickly get away fro...Interesting. I like that you quickly get away from the 'show don't tell' or even the 'show and tell' rules, and point to other more important things regarding why those particular scenes work.<br /><br />I still don't get the appeal of the 'show don't tell' nonsense. Is it just because people like that in elementary school there was 'show and tell' where kids got to bring stuff to class that was never appropriate otherwise?<br /><br />I don't get it though, no matter how many times it's demystified the answers always end up being as vague as before, or the demystifier comes to a grand conclusion (as you did, and I do believe it's grand) that really has nothing to do with the show or tell concepts.<br /><br />I mean, 'show don't/and tell' pretty much always comes to the answer of 'well, just try to write good fiction' (since bad writing can show, and good writing can tell) which isn't very instructive.<br /><br />So kudos on coming to a better, more relevant conclusion/theory. The next time someone asks how to 'show' or 'tell' I'm going to tell them to go work on pacing and misdirection, and do whatever they need to accomplish what they're attempting to accomplish.popsicledeathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05006894817995038236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-19093974998361036342010-01-14T13:42:25.412-05:002010-01-14T13:42:25.412-05:00Carrie - you shot me full of adrenaline with that ...Carrie - you shot me full of adrenaline with that comment and I thank you! In the world of artists, we cannot receive without giving back - because everything we get is on some level inspirational. <br /><br />I'm giving back on your January 14th post, but it will take me a little while to get to it.<br /><br />And also noting (if you don't already know) that Tim Horvath's work is published in the most recent "Conjunctions" - the literary magazine published by Bard College. Avant-garde work. Great literary mag.<br /><br /><br /><br />Enjoy.theresathinkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15129811001202964948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-80140865953360239912010-01-14T12:06:05.191-05:002010-01-14T12:06:05.191-05:00I love this - "both writers make you avert yo...I love this - "both writers make you avert your eyes from the key subject matter of the story"<br /><br />That was a very nice eye-opening moment for me. I think it's something we all subconsciously do so emtiems, but being aware of it means we can make it stronger.<br /><br />Great post!Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-66667833865783328452010-01-14T10:05:53.927-05:002010-01-14T10:05:53.927-05:00Hey, Theresa! Um, yeah, that was you I was talkin...Hey, Theresa! Um, yeah, that was you I was talking about. In Steve Almond's class. And your writing was FREAKING BRILLIANT.CKHBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-42081612558699227542010-01-14T09:57:49.970-05:002010-01-14T09:57:49.970-05:00Once, I took a writing class at Grub Street and th...Once, I took a writing class at Grub Street and the instructor commented on my in-class work just in the manner you described - as being handled effectively with restraint. So can I tell you how I was able to do it? HOW. This is what we are always trying to get at. But. It was an IN CLASS impromptu piece of work - terrifying for me because I am an incessant revisor of my work. <br /><br />Today, I will do what I always do - I will walk to the woods, around the lake, and through the cornfield (a one-hour meditative and physical workout) and I will mull over the HOW. My answer for now is simply this:<br /><br />Take a class that terrifies you. You will become forced to exercise your mind and your heart and your soul in frightening ways, you will become vulnerable, and it will change how you perceive yourself as an artist. Adrenaline is a powerful drug. One of my favorites. The artist who dares to be vulnerable is the easiest one to love.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15981051639515288641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-13347831950384671642010-01-14T09:00:15.278-05:002010-01-14T09:00:15.278-05:00The thing about showing is, it almost always takes...The thing about showing is, it almost always takes more words, and for something not too important can lay undue stress where you don't want it. So personally I tend to tell when I want to shortcut my way through something necessary to the mechanics of the plot but not all that important to the <i>story</i>.<br /><br />The example in Pride & Prejudice is very cool. Never noticed that before.<br /><br />I really like your <i>avert your eyes</i> terminology!Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-54102573665236622702010-01-14T08:30:08.420-05:002010-01-14T08:30:08.420-05:00This is one of the most frustrating rules in writi...This is one of the most frustrating rules in writing, but once you learn well, can be your best asset!<br /><br />Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283503033516504436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-26578415539501002010-01-13T17:07:28.998-05:002010-01-13T17:07:28.998-05:00Post of the year here, Carrie. I really like this ...Post of the year here, Carrie. I really like this and couldn't agree more--but you've also hit on the restraint factor that is hard to explain and show. Very useful and nicely done.Sierra Godfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552916038080341870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-36828274527096308712010-01-13T16:54:29.865-05:002010-01-13T16:54:29.865-05:00Both of the WIPS i hope to publish are written in ...Both of the WIPS i hope to publish are written in first person, so there has to be some amount of telling. I just try to show while telling. <br /><br />Great post!Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-49872716548702973072010-01-13T16:05:59.781-05:002010-01-13T16:05:59.781-05:00I like the advice to go forth and experiment. Tha...I like the advice to go forth and experiment. That's the nice thing about writing. We can try something and if it doesn't work, we can simply use our eraser or backspace buttons :)<br /><br />Thanks for the update on the Show and Tell concept from Joan.Voidwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06688751100806767843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-26470999906156092102010-01-13T14:54:00.293-05:002010-01-13T14:54:00.293-05:00I am loving these Grub Street posts.
Bookmarked...I am loving these Grub Street posts. <br /><br />Bookmarked? Check. <br />Printed and put in writing folder? Check.<br />Coming back for more? Check.<br /><br />Thanks for the great stuff! :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-56612952331742604122010-01-13T14:35:41.334-05:002010-01-13T14:35:41.334-05:00Not really much for me to comment on because you s...Not really much for me to comment on because you said it all and I agree with what you have said.<br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-72765324832916506122010-01-13T13:24:18.299-05:002010-01-13T13:24:18.299-05:00Wow. Great stuff here. I'm going to go look at...Wow. Great stuff here. I'm going to go look at my WIP for what's obvious and what's veiled, and what's shown and told.<br /><br />Thanks!Reeshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17387498259078528854noreply@blogger.com