"Show, don't Tell" is a cliché that has almost lost its meaning. But both showing and telling are valuable tools for any writer--writers need both narrative passages as well as dramatic scenes, so each has its own place within any writer's skill set. In this workshop, we'll use writing examples to figure out the truth hidden in this tired phrase.  And how "show, don't tell" really means "show more with dramatic scenes, and tell only when you need to move the story along".

The "telling" part of the workshop includes tips, tricks, and techniques to help improve narrative in your fiction, and identify when it's time to "tell" your story to the reader to compress information, smooth transitions, or otherwise better establish settings and scenes for the reader.

The "showing" part blends a set of exercises to strengthen an understanding of what makes a scene come to life by using more vivid descriptions to reveal characters--their thoughts and emotions--by showing them in action.
    
Topics we'll cover:
1) Definitions -- what is showing, what is telling
2) Telling: Use of the Narrative Voice
3) Breaking it down part 1: Showing to Pull a Reader into Your Scenes
4) Breaking it down part 2: Better Narrative (so a reader doesn't skip this)
5) Going Deeper in Viewpoint to Better Show a Character's Inner World
6) Transitions & Word Count--Where Telling Really Helps
7) Showing and Telling--Mixing it up Again: These are not Absolutes
8) Write to Your Strengths: When to Show, When to Tell

August 2nd through August 30th

This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop.  Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.

Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal.  The cost is $15.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members.  If you are a member of FFnP be sure you are logged into the website before you register to get the member price.  Payment is due at time 

Shannon Donnelly's writing has won numerous awards, including a RITA nomination for Best Regency, the Grand Prize in the "Minute Maid Sensational Romance Writer" contest, judged by Nora Roberts, RWA's Golden Heart, the Laurel Wreath, the Winter Rose, the Bookseller's Best, and multiple finalists in the Holt Medallion, the Colorado ACE, the Golden Quill, and others.  Her work has repeatedly earned 4½ Star Top Pick reviews from Romantic Times magazine, as well as praise from Booklist and other reviewers, who note: "simply superb"..."wonderfully uplifting"....and "beautifully written."

In addition to her Regency romances, she has published in several anthologies, in young adult horror, and is the author of several computer games.  Currently, she is a member of several chapters of RWA, and is a past-president of the Beau Monde, Regency Chapter of RWA.  She has spoken at several conferences, including RWA's national conference, and regularly gives workshops online.  Her abiding passions include--besides writing--her dogs, reading, gardening, painting, belly dancing, and the ever present horses in her life.  She can be found online at www.sd-writer.com, www.myspace.com/randomfreshink and www.twitter.com/randomfreshink.