2008 & 2009 Winner - Writers
Digest Best Writer's Site
Robyn Opie,
author of 78 published books, asks:
Do
you want to finally master the SECRET INGREDIENT to all
good writing – and discover the tricks and
techniques that WILL set you apart and easily enable you
to create fiction no-one can possibly ignore?
Then read on:
Show don’t tell, show don’t tell, show
don’t tell…
It’s like some incessant mantra that writing
teachers chant at their students – but do they
really hear?
Show, don’t TELL!
Publishers and editors too will throw the phrase at you,
with a patronizing air, as though you have deliberately
not done so. What do you do in these situations? Simply
shrug and move on?
Show, DON’T tell...
The reading public, strangely, seems completely oblivious
to the distinction, except in an obvious, vote with their
feet way – that is: authors that SHOW always
outsell authors that TELL by about 100 to 1!
SHOW, don’t TELL.
I can’t stress how important it is to grasp the
profound difference between showing and telling in your
writing.
And what a powerful impact it can make – to your
readers, of course, but more especially to your chances
of being taken seriously by the publishing industry.
So, take the advice, okay? Show, and do not tell.
Yes, but what does the phrase actually mean?
Do you know what one ingredient all best-selling novels
have in common? Are you thinking they are all great
stories written by brilliant authors? That they all just
‘happened’ to sell plenty of copies at the
bookstores?
Perhaps - but there's one common ingredient every one of
those best-selling writers includes into each book...
The one trait that keeps readers hooked from beginning to
end...
The one quality that has editors
begging for more manuscripts...
The one ingredient your story
should have, too...
Do you know what it is?
The authors of these books are
masters in the art of showing – not telling.
Wouldn’t you like to see
your own novel up on those best-seller lists, too?
Let's face it - an editor is
going to show a preference for a professionally
written manuscript, containing every ingredient
possible to make sure your chances of success are
maximized.
The art of showing your story to
your readers versus telling them about it is not a skill
that comes easily to many writers. But it is a skill that
can be learned.
In my time as a writing teacher and mentor, I’ve
been forced to realize that many writers really
don’t seem to know – even if they think and say
they do!
What about you? Do you know how to turn tired, dry
storytelling into vivid and compelling prose?
Even if you do in principle, do you still experience
difficulty actually changing the way you tell stories?
Well, maybe that’s because nobody in authority
– someone who really knows – has ever gone out
of their way to explain what to do and how its done
– in a down-to-earth, practical and doable way.
Until now.
The "Show, Don't Tell" Study
Pack from Robyn Opie, author of 70 published books
Now you can learn to enhance your own writing from
the comfort of your own computer!
This comprehensive e-book will
show you how best-selling authors create their
masterpieces. You’ll learn how they hook audiences
into each novel and keep them breathlessly turning pages
until they reach the end!
Here's what students' have
been saying about my
Show, Don't Tell Study Pack:
“Thanks, Robyn. I
will definitely take your advice (because) hope to get
published some day. This is my first ever home fiction
writing course and I have certainly learned a whole lot.
I can see my growth because of it. I like your
insight…I like the way you are able to go through
with a fine-tooth comb and look for credibility, clarity
and ambiguity, consistency in detail, and those elements
of 'telling' that seep through in spite of ourselves - in
short, the things I could not see in my own writing. You
have taught me how to re-read with a critical eye, and,
therefore, how to revise and improve my work. I will be
on the look out for more of your resources. I am surely
glad I bought this one! I truly appreciate your
dedication, thoroughness, and expertise... Thank you ever
so much.” Kathleen
”I can only give you a rave notice. I found (your
teaching) both enjoyable and informative… I’m
sure I have learnt a lot. The examples you show really
stood out and were a really big help.” Bruce
”Everything you say makes so much sense… I
wanted to tell you that I particularly like the examples
you use. It's nice to know the 'greats' aren't so
perfect either. Your explanations are delightfully
clear. Thank you so much.” Sue
This unique Study Pack from
one of the Net’s greatest authoritie
s on writing is available now!
It features: 10 in-depth
modules and assignments
Contents:
* Show Don’t Tell – What It Is and How
It Works.
* Immediacy in the Better Genre Fiction
* Characters – Do They Feel Real or Real Distant?
* Show, Don't Tell Supplemental
* Dialogue: All You Want to Do is Talk Talk
* The Holy Trinity – Conflict, Obstacle and Drama
* Gunpowder, Gallows, Treason and Plot
* Money for Old Rope: Short Stories Revisited
* Seven Strategies for Submission Success
* Show, Don't Tell Bonus!
Inside this pack, you get serious in-depth analysis on
every aspect of story construction from characterization,
perfecting dialogue, handling conflict, plotting,
self-editing and much, much more.
All this for the special
introductory price: only $29.95
Click on the above link and the
entire study pack will be yours within seconds.
It even goes into detail as to
how you can re-write short stories you thought were dead
in the water but with a little bit of ‘show
don’t tell’ magic can be transformed into
veritable cash pulling machines!
No kidding!
Because, despite what you may believe, editors, agents
and publishers are crying out for good MSS that engage
the reader by the technique of showing rather than
telling.
It’s just that most authors simply don’t get
it…
Show, don’t tell. It sounds so easy,
doesn’t it?
But do you really you know the difference?
Are you sure? Pay less than the absurdly low price of
just under $30 for the entire package and you will be.
Do it now.
Telling is so implicit in the soul of so many writers, it
could be you’re not even aware when you’re
doing it to the detriment of your success.
Don’t take the risk that you’re missing out on
your chance to become a best-selling author.
PS: Ever wondered why certain of your
stories/novels are continually rejected? Especially the
ones you’re the most proud of? Think about one of
your works now.
Is it passive – or fully active?
Is it the best it can be? Are you capable of improving
it, changing its focus and creating a world where your
readers live, as opposed to having them wade through so
much static and dispiriting text?
If you’re in any doubt whatsoever, you must look at
this study pack. You can have all your money back within
30 days if you’re not completely blown away.
PPS: And at just under $30 this exciting,
revelatory study pack is so affordable, you’d have
to be crazy not to take advantage of this very special
offer.
