62
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How to tactfully inform readers of differences in the book world to the real world?
As the wagon bounced along the rutted road, Prax was objecting to Lis's notion that they should both run away to start a new life in the city.
"I can think of seven reasons that won't work," Prax ...
- 611
62
votes
Accepted
How to show a character being bored for multiple chapters without boring the reader
Use film and other literature to inspire you--in particular this song Do you Want to Build a Snow Man. The character is bored. There's empty hallways, but time passes and that's communicated in a ...
- 2,773
61
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How to make the reader think that the *character's* logic is flawed instead of the author's?
The narrator knows about the thoughts. And the narrator will know that the thoughts are illogical, and can distance himself/herself from the thoughts. Of course that only works if the narrator isn't ...
- 4,027
49
votes
How do I write "Show, Don't Tell" as a person with Asperger Syndrome?
I also have Asperger Syndrome. Before I explain how I "write around it", let me talk a little about showing and telling.
Writing isn't what it used to be, and I don't mean that in a bad way. ...
- 9,557
46
votes
Why are writers so hung up on "show versus tell"?
"Show don't tell," as a three-word directive, is pithy and simplistic. But it's used because it's one of the fundamentals of writing well, and one of the things new writers understand least.
As ...
- 28.3k
46
votes
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How do I convey that a relationship is platonic?
I agree that establishing the platonic nature of the relationship is important. There are a number of ways to approach it, as in David Doyle's answer.
But additionally, I wanted to point out a ...
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46
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How do I provide exposition on a magic system when no character has an objective or complete understanding of it?
Some people will believe they know how things work, even if they don't
If you were to ask a highly educated person 2,000 years ago why things fall down, they'd have an answer. (It just wouldn't be a ...
- 8,677
44
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Why are writers so hung up on "show versus tell"?
You are confused about what's being shown. "Show, don't tell" means "show us that the hero is confused by describing the look on his face and how he stutters and drops things" rather than saying in ...
37
votes
Is straight-up writing someone's opinions telling?
You're taking "show, don't tell" too strictly. There's no rules in writing - they're more what you'd call guidelines.
If you're in doubt about a passage, write it both ways. Then see which one feels ...
37
votes
Accepted
When your main character is a misogynist or a racist, how do you tell your readers that you don't subscribe to his racist views by merely showing?
There is a wide range of possible techniques; the common thread is to tell or show the reader that the story’s world doesn’t work the way the main character thinks it does.
The bluntest approach, if ...
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35
votes
Accepted
How to make clear what a part-humanoid character looks like when they're quite common in their world?
If you were describing a human being, you wouldn't say "she had two arms, each the same length and ending just below her hips." That description is assumed for everyone (if it's wrong for an ...
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30
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How do you keep a villainous character from being offensive to a particular group?
Don't focus on him being a "veteran". Yes, he was in a war, blah blah. You don't ever have to use the word "veteran."
If you do, have him use it to game the system or seek sympathy; even veterans ...
- 104k
27
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How to show a character being bored for multiple chapters without boring the reader
Plot doesn't have to move at an even speed. Just as you can slow-motion over an important battle, you can speed up over long periods of time. A couple of paragraphs evoking boredom: staring at the ...
26
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How do I convey that a relationship is platonic?
The best way to illuminate a boundary is to cross it. Barring that, the second best way is almost cross it.
Have your characters accomplish some major task together, despite long odds. Then, as ...
- 10.8k
26
votes
Accepted
How do you prevent yourself from neglecting scientific accuracy in a sci-fi-fantasy story without telling?
There's always the "Star Trek" version. If it makes the drama work, don't sweat it. Just be consistent across your story.
So if "warp drive" works a particular way, keep it working ...
- 1,668
23
votes
How to tactfully inform readers of differences in the book world to the real world?
There are several techniques:
Have a narrator voice explicitly stating the relevant differences.
Take everything for granted and hint changes indirectly (e.g.: if your aliens have seven fingers ...
- 1,023
23
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How do I write "Show, Don't Tell" as a person with Asperger Syndrome?
I'm a professional scientist; my point of view might help. The only way I can think of is to approach it analytically. Body language is a language you don't know. There are books on it, some ...
- 104k
22
votes
How do I provide exposition on a magic system when no character has an objective or complete understanding of it?
My answer is fundamentally similar to JonStonecash's, but comes at it from a different angle.
You mentioned the following:
the narrative intent behind this is to lower the reader's guard by making ...
- 11k
21
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What is the balance between 'stating a problem clearly' and Hemingway's literary iceberg?
Without having seen your piece, of course, I can only speculate, but I wonder if what you were doing was the opposite of predictability: You signaled you were going straight, or right, when your goal ...
19
votes
Describing something that doesn't exist
The thing with an imaginary object is this: people aren't going to see the exact same thing as you see in your mind, no matter how many words you pour on it. Each reader is going to imagine what you ...
19
votes
Accepted
How to help the reader wrestle through historical atrocities which would be considered normal to the POV character
"Sadly, women in ancient China had no sense of self-respect."
I'd like to disagree with this statement. When you say this, you are already thinking in modern terms.
My area is European Middle Ages ...
19
votes
Accepted
How to "show" a "Yes" head confirmation
The word you are looking for is "nod".
Mike nods his head, confirming that he was okay.
"Shakes" his head would be used for negation.
It's usually a good idea to include context that reinforces ...
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19
votes
How can I show that a character does something without thinking?
Start with understanding what character motivation or complication you want to describe. "Without Thinking..." can imply a huge range of motivations or complications from instinctive ...
- 12.9k
18
votes
How can I write a street-smart character?
Make sure your character remembers things.
A street-smart person is someone who has noticed a pattern in life and uses that to their advantage.
He noticed that a gang always hangs out in a certain ...
- 1,783
18
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How do I convey that a relationship is platonic?
Well. There are ways to handle this. The simplest is never address it. They're friends, they get along, and they work well together. People may/will ship them, but that isn't how you wrote them.
...
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18
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Is straight-up writing someone's opinions telling?
Agree with Galastel's answer, most writing "rules" are just guides so you understand the general effect on the reader.
However, just picking the one that "feels natural" isn't very objective, so I'...
- 27.8k
18
votes
Accepted
Is it better to slowly introduce a character's looks rather than describing it all in one paragraph?
It's usual to describe an important character when the POV character first encounters them - otherwise the reader is left with a "white box" when they try to imagine what that person looks ...
- 1,418
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