A lot of fiction suffers because the author mishandles showing versus telling. Both are necessary in a piece of writing. Showing is what brings the reader into the midst of the action and makes the reader feel what the character is feeling. There are times, however, when it’s wise to skip lightly over events that don’t further the plot.

Knowing how to show is the difference between bang and blah. Knowing when to show is the difference between sparkle and blather.

When the Odyssey Writing Workshop offers an online class in Showing versus Telling,” anyone with an interest in writing fiction would do well to take note. It’s true that the workshop specializes in onsite teaching for writers nearing publication quality and working in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but every genre needs to master the craft of showing versus telling.

I’ve been listening to the Odyssey Workshop’s podcasts for a couple of years now. They have top writers teaching on all aspects of the craft.

Give them a look.