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The whole 'show don't tell' rule feels like it's keeping new writers from actually finishing anything...
I was reading through a thread on writing forums last night and saw someone argue that 'show don't tell' is the main thing killing creativity for beginners. The poster said after 12 years of writing, they finally realized telling can be just as effective and way faster. But then another veteran writer jumped in with 20+ years experience saying showing is what makes stories feel real. So which side is actually right for someone just starting their first novel... has this debate ever been settled anywhere?
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emmam329d ago
Did my friend waste six months rewriting one chapter because some forum said he had to show everything instead of just telling the story?
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victor_carter519d ago
The 12 year writer has a point though... I've seen so many beginners get stuck on the third chapter trying to 'show' every single feeling when a simple 'he was angry' would move things along just fine. It's like the rule gets treated as law instead of a tool.
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