Writers Digest {A Writing Guide}

Chapter Six ~ WRS [White Room Syndrome] & Show vs. Tell

Welcome to the sixth and final chapter of this guide.

WRS: A situation where a story is action and dialogue but no real description of the setting.

WRS occurs when the author fails at giving any detail of the setting. I don't see it happen quite often but I do see it, so its real. A way to prevent this from happening in your book is to give details of the setting here in there in the story. Here's an example of what it should be:

The moon cast shadows on the deserted path.

It made this graveyard seem scary, but it wasn't.

It was peaceful, quiet, and far from scary.

Okay that was kind of terrible but it's not like I'm running a library or something. This example brings us to our next topic: Show vs. Tell.

Show vs. Tell: When some tells the setting in stead of showing it.

Telling = It was night at the graveyard and the path was deserted.

Showing = The moon cast shadows on the empty path.

Now do you see the difference?

No?

Okay we'll keep going then, the way you can tell between showing and telling is by detecting your sentence. WARNING ACTUAL DEFINITIONS BELOW

Telling: To announce or proclaim.

Showing: To present or perform

So you see, a lot of times people will mix the to up and end up telling when really you should be showing.

Well, I am sad to say that this but, this is the end of our tour. I enjoyed touring with all of you and I hoped I helped you in some sort of way. See y'all later!