“Show, don’t tell” must be one of the most often heard pieces of advice writers hear. But what on earth does it really mean? I think it’s easier to start with an example; “John felt scared,” is a perfect example of ‘telling.’ The same thing but done as ‘showing’ would be, “John cowered.” By using the second example, you are showing the reader how John felt; it puts a picture in the reader’s head. And, this is the golden rule to try and follow. Continue reading “How To Write Show Vs. Tell”
Tag: Publishing
Advice for publishing
Screenwriting And Creative Writing Competitions
I’m very happy to announce the launch of a new Competitions section on Cyber Write. I’ve been working hard in the background and combing the internet to find details of lots of competitions for both Authors and Screenwriters. This section, in its nature, is very much a work in progress, and I will be adding both screenwriting and creating writing competitions as I become aware of them.
As a writer, entering competitions is a great way to hone your craft, and winning one (or even being a finalist) gets you great exposure. Getting to the finalist’s stage is something you can add to your resume, which helps get your manuscript/script noticed. That’s not to mention some of the fantastic prizes you can win, many of which simply aren’t available to unpublished writers.
If you know of any competitions that you would like to recommend, then please let me know. And if you host a competition and would like me to feature it in the calendar, then drop me a line.
The Different Types Of Editing Roles
With more and more independent writers publishing their work in electronic form, the old traditional publishing roles have become somewhat blurred. Proofreading is one of those roles that now seems to cover all sorts of disciplines from simple spell-checking to full-blown editing.
Many independent authors are wary of employing an editor for fear of losing ownership of their book. In reality, the opposite is true. Working with a good editor will ensure that your “voice” stands out clearly while making sure that your story flows to the best of its ability.
Advice and Guidance
Even if I can’t help you with editing or proofreading, there are many articles on my site that I hope can help. My Blog section contains advice and guidance and is a growing resource to help new authors and screenwriters with many of the most common questions asked when starting to write.
Most of the tips are to do with grammar, but there will be the odd one for writing in general. These tips are to help you produce the best first draft you can and to avoid some of the pitfalls new writers often fall into.
At the bottom of all my posts is an option to Print, email, or convert to a PDF so you can keep the article for future reference.
One thing to note while reading my blog is that it is written using British spelling and grammar. Although, sometimes, I write using American spelling and grammar just for a bit of variation.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to guest blog, then I’m more than happy to chat.
How To Use Semicolons
One thing I come across on a regular basis is the abuse of the poor semicolon.
Reasons to use a semicolon are:
- Reduce the number of short sentences in a paragraph.
- Emphasise the relationship between two clauses.
- Introducing a list where commas will confuse the reader.
A golden rule to remember when using a semicolon is that it is used to separate related things that would still make sense on their own. An example would be…
How To Use Colons
A lot of new writers seems to get more confused over when to use a colon than semicolons, yet the rules are simpler. Simply put, a colon is used to introduce something, including a list.
You know what I love: good grammar.
Can you go to the shop and buy me the following: bread, milk, and butter.
As with semicolons, you should not capitalise the first word unless it’s a proper noun. You should also never use a colon if it follows a verb or preposition.