CREATIVE WRITING BUILDING BLOCKS
Description: PART TWO
Author and tutor Ian Ayris reminds writers that there are No Absolutes when it comes to showing and telling
In our first look at the Building Block of Description we looked at the two initial steps of Description: 1. Create the image in your head 2. Step inside and wander around the image – whether it be a scene or a character – focusing on your senses
This wandering around, experiential approach to Description will bring an authenticity to your writing that merely thinking of a scene or what a character looks like may lack. Our next step is to begin turning this wandering around experience into words whereby the reader can build the scene in their imagination and wander around it too.
Let’s begin with something you will find mentioned in every article, every how-to book and every creative writing course – SHOW DON’T TELL.
Show don’t and Tell
Our old maxim of No Absolutes applies to SHOW DON’T TELL as it does with everything else scrawled onto the Building Blocks of Creative Writing. This being the case we will allow no don’ts on our journey through this world of Building Blocks. Hence, SHOW AND TELL. When I explained this to a Year 6 Primary school class I used to teach Creative Writing, I must admit it caused a little confusion . . . Year 6 boy:Is it like when I brought my guinea pig into school, sir?Me:No.2nd Year 6 boy:What about when I brought in my swimming medal?
Me:
No.
3rd Year 6 boy:
A picture of my mouse?