Set-up: The heroine, Daisy, has just been given a singing job that she desperately needs. It’s 1873 and the location is San Francisco. Can you tell Daisy is exuberant without the author telling you she is exuberant?
“She giggled then laughed out loud, startling a drunk dozing behind a refuse bin outside a garment maker’s shop. 'I’m going to be a star,' she called gaily to him as she hurried by.”
This has added interest because the heroine is on an emotional high while in one of the worse locations in San Francisco. Also it is Daisy who disturbs the drunk which is the opposite of what usually happens: drunks disturb the regular folks. This is how to ‘show’ and not ‘tell’.
“Chasing the Sun” is the final book in the Blood Rose Trilogy and was just released on January 4th.
Thanks, Vince. I love the way you look at things--seems you always pick up on something I never see, like the switch here. Never saw it. LOL.
ReplyDeleteNice reminder for writers, Vince.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaki:
ReplyDeleteIn some respects writing cannot be taught. A really talented writer will just ‘know’ that a scene is right without having to animalize it. Sometimes the irony just feels good for the scene. I bet you’ve experienced reading something you wrote a while back and thinking “Did I really write that?” (My that's good!) I know I have! Sometimes you just get an unexpected gem!
Vince
Hi Caroline:
ReplyDeleteI’m going to start showing examples of very good writing as I come across them in my reading. It’s best to learn by example. I’ll be reading “The Texan’s Irish Bride” in the future! Keep tuned. : )
Thanks for coming by.
Vince