Class

The Craft of Fiction: Tell, Don't Show

"Show, don't tell" is such standard writing advice that it's become cliche. But is it good writing advice? Well, it depends. Sometimes it's best to show. This class is about the other times. We'll look at ways telling can help you pace a story and better manage the movement of time. We'll study techniques to make summary as alive and evocative as scene. And we'll look at one of my favorite strategies—to show through telling, when the style and tone of the language puts on its own show.

We'll also spend a little bit of time examining why the cliche of "show, don't tell" has been so pervasive, how all craft is culturally based, and how to be subversive about those often oppressive rules.

Expect close reading of excerpts from writers such as Megan Abbott, Nnedi Okorafor, Yiyun Li, and Jamaica Kincaid. Also expect time spent writing, as we put the ideas to practical use.

Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.