"When writing, show, don't tell!"
I can't count how many times I've heard that. Every school teacher that was trying to teach us the fine art of writing would always offer up that sound kernel of advice with no real explanation. When asking a follow up question they would give a pat answer, but I would still be sitting there dumbfounded in terms of how to show someone what's happening in my story rather than telling them.
But no one could ever tell me how to conquer this beautifully masked game of showing versus telling. At first I thought it was just because they didn't know. Now I realize that it's a skill different for everybody.
I call it "Writing on the Periphery." Sure, you're committed to your story, you're eager to write it down, you're scribbling down pages. But you're kind of floating above the story, above the character, above the stressors and the drama within your tale. You're not really feeling it, experiencing it. Yes, all your basic story elements are there. Characters with flaws, relatable to the audience, you have your plot, maybe even an outline. But no real depth.
I usually do my best writing when I'm down deep in the trenches. When I've taken a few steps down, slowed down my mind and really put myself in the heroine's/hero's shoes; that's when my real potential comes through.
Put yourself in a scene. Instead of just writing the bare basics, sit down in the scene a little deeper. What is your character hearing? What is she smelling? What is she doing? The odd little quirks that you would find yourself thinking and doing if put in the same situation at that exact moment; include it! Trust me; you will add a whole other dimension to your character if you create them as real as you. Plus your audience won't think you odd. If anything they'll bond closer to the character and be upset with you if you happen to kill them off. ;) Trust me on this one...
So step down from the balancing act. No more writing on the periphery. I feel that phrase is much easier to understand than that infernal, frustrating, "Show, don't tell!"
My two main reasons for staying in the periphery are: laziness and fright. Laziness is obvious; sometimes you don't want to immerse yourself that deeply. Sometimes you just want to do the bare minimum. But usually I go back to those parts and re-do them. Because my story deserves better.
And fright is pretty simple. If I were writing romance stories, that would be one thing. But when you're a gothic fiction writer, it's not easy subject material to just immerse yourself in on a daily basis. This current project of mine is just dark. Darker than anything I've ever done.... yet. :)
So quit the balancing act. Get your ass in the seat and write your story the way it deserves to be told. Leave the periphery to the balance beam gymnasts and carnies...
Lots of love,
A
