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Made in America
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Tag: “mannerisms”

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Show Don’t Tell: Tension

By: dev-dorrance
actionaffectionangerbuild-upcharacterdialoguemannerismsmanuscriptnervesshow don't telltension

Apr. 15th, 2021

You’re sitting at a local coffee shop, waiting for your friend to arrive. You sip peacefully on your coffee, across from you sits your friend’s cup which you bought for… Show Don’t Tell: Tension

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Show Don’t Tell: Happiness

By: dev-dorrance
actioncontentmentdialogueexcitementhappinessjoymannerismsoptimismshow don't tellshowingtelling

Mar. 22nd, 2021

Happiness is such an elusive and complicated word. And showing a character experiencing happiness can be all the more complex, especially when you need to do it through showing rather… Show Don’t Tell: Happiness

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Show Don’t Tell: Time

By: dev-dorrance
friendshabitsholidayslocationmannerismspersonalityphysical appearancerelationshipsschoolshow don't telltimework

Dec. 31st, 2020

One of the more abstract concepts to include in your story is the passage of time. Jumping from one time in your protagonist’s life to another is a complex thing… Show Don’t Tell: Time

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Show Don’t Tell: Fear

By: dev-dorrance
actionatmospherecharacterschoicesfearmannerismsobservationssceneshow don't tellsuspense

Oct. 15th, 2020

You’re walking home after a long shift waiting tables. Your house is a few blocks away so you feel fairly secure as you wave goodbye to your coworkers as they… Show Don’t Tell: Fear

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Show Don’t Tell: Stress

By: dev-dorrance
actionarcaudiencebody languagecharacterdialoguemannerismsperceptionreadershowstresstell

Sep. 18th, 2020

Whether you have an important test coming up, your boss asks you to do a big project at work, or you’re a teacher in any given week, we all experience… Show Don’t Tell: Stress

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Show Don’t Tell: Anticipation

By: dev-dorrance
actionsanticipationbehaviorchangescharactermannerismsnegativepositiveshowtellwriterwriting

Aug. 27th, 2020

You’re a week away from a vacation you’ve been looking forward to for months. Every day feels like at least two because time has perpetually slowed. You’re so desperate to… Show Don’t Tell: Anticipation

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Show Don’t Tell: Grief

By: dev-dorrance
acceptanceactionangerbargainingcharactersdenialdepressiondialoguegriefmannerismsshow don't tellstages of grief

Jul. 18th, 2020

There are moments that the words don’t reach, there is suffering too terrible to name… This tear-jerking song from Hamilton is one of many examples of what it’s like for… Show Don’t Tell: Grief

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Show Don’t Tell: Parent/Child Relationships

By: dev-dorrance
actionchildimpactmannerismsmomentnegativeparentpositiverelationshipsceneshow

Jun. 18th, 2020

Think about a moment when you were growing up and one of your parents did something that stuck with you. It could be when they ran over and cleaned you… Show Don’t Tell: Parent/Child Relationships

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Show Don’t Tell: Pain

By: dev-dorrance
actionauthorcharactersdialogueemotionalmannerismspainphysicalshowsufferingwriterwriting

Apr. 16th, 2020

It’s not easy to talk about or go through, but going through emotional or physical pain can be a significant part of what shapes our lives. Thinking back on your… Show Don’t Tell: Pain

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Show Don’t Tell: Friendships

By: dev-dorrance
characterscircumstancesconfidencedialoguefriendshipmannerismsprotectivenessreadersshowtell

Feb. 6th, 2020

If you’ve ever taken a writing workshop class in your lifetime, you’ve likely heard your instructor smugly say the phrase, “Show, don’t tell,” as a general criticism of your writing.… Show Don’t Tell: Friendships

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