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editing, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips
A signpost for us all.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Related (sort of) to “told” is “tell.”
We want to write so that we “show, not tell,” right? One easy step in following that sage writing advice is, in small part, to rid our manuscripts of the word “tell.” Not using the word “tell” doesn’t make the writing Pulitzer-worthy and paint pictures in the reader’s mind, but it takes it up a notch.
Do these examples “tell” you what I mean?
I could tell Robin blushed when I complimented her writing style.
Are you talking about Robin Coyle?
Robin face turned an unbecoming shade of purple when I suggested she take a writing class.
~~~~~
I wanted to tell Robin about a great blog post idea.
Please, no! Don’t give her more material!
I shared a blog post idea with Robin. She pooh-poohed the suggestion and wrote about strong vs weak words. Gawd. Not again.
~~~~~
The urge to tell her more blog post ideas came over me.
Really. I mean it. Don’t feed her blogging obsession.
The urge to give her more blog post ideas was squashed when my fellow bloggers threatened my life.
~~~~~
Robin wouldn’t tell us what she planned to blog about next.
Isn’t that cheeky of her.
Robin wouldn’t divulge her plans for torturing us further.
Robin Coyle 
I don’t even look anymore… but next time I’ll know better 🙂
I wouldn’t look either if I was you.
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You’ve produced another very telling post, Robin. Bravo.
Ha ha . . . very funny, Robin.
When I can’t tell a story do I just describe what is happening!!!
Or show. Or maybe you need to simply “tell.” That is ok too when anything else is awkward and contrived.
I think I am weird, but sometimes I like tell not show – guess I am subversive
You renegade you! However, me too. Sometimes the door is just “red,” not the color of a gruesome murder scene.” Showing can be contrived and over-blown.
You know Robin, you are a very versatile writier and open-minded — I am impressed
Same to you my friend!
by teh wya I cna speall the wrord writer
But I liked being called a “writier!” Has a musical quality to it!
sort of has the word witier in it
I spent hours yesterday putting together a show not tell post. I can tell you how difficult it was, so I won’t 😉
I look forward to reading it. Show not tell is tricky.
http://elladeeimages.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/the-awful-daring-of-a-moments-surrender-which-an-age-of-prudence-can-never-retract/
I don’t understand. The last post I had from you was “Date with Kate.” I scrolled through your blog and couldn’t find it, but found bunches I didn’t get.
What is up with that!?
Possibly something to do with the 3 blogs – gets confusing 🙂
Well that explains it! I didn’t know you had 3 blogs. How in the world do you keep up with them all? I have a hard enough time with one!
I’m not sure how attached I am to this one but TELL me, Robin, how’s the weather your way?
You are funny. I’m up at our cabin again and it is low 80s and without a cloud in the sky. How about in your neck of Canada?
I seem to be okay with this one. Yay!
Whoo hoo!
I had to use told a lot in news pieces because the style is very different than creative. You would have a time looking at some of my old newspaper articles. Tell is one of those we must watch out for.
I gave you a “shout out” via hyperlink to your Readers Respond to Just Chill. I thought it was funny the day I was using that phrase, you had your post up. I thought, “Perfect.” Robin, you can use me as a bad example. 🙂
Wow, another word I don’t use very often. 2 out of 50. I’m on a roll, I tell you.
Again, good for you!
Hey, sorry I haven’t been around your blog much. Alas, I am not a YA/fantasty reader . . .
My characters need to revise some of their dialogue! Granted, limited use of “tell” is okay there, such as “Tell me about it.” But I shouldn’t use it as often as I do…. *adds ‘tell’ to the editing list*
It took me three rounds of edits and my “tells” went from 56 to 20 to 16 to 11. The remaining “tells” had to stay!