When I began this series, I never anticipated it would last for more than a half dozen entries. However, I should have realized that trying to sum up even the basics of what I've learned about writing over the years would take up more space than just a couple posts.

It's like a buffet, you go through once and get what catches your eye and when you return for a new plate, there's more of that food plus dishes you never noticed. The world of writing's like that.

And now we move on. Today's topic is that second most challenging (at least to me) aspect of quality writing: Deep Point of View (POV.)

Many of us have read books from an omniscient POV, meaning the reader is let in on everything and has a glimpse into all the characters perspective. It's like have a bird's eye view with the ability to float through walls and move from one place to another in a flash. There are some well written books that use this POV, but its not what today's editors and agents are looking for. They're looking for a deep POV.

So what does that mean? Simply put, the reader can only see, hear, smell, taste, and feel what the character who's perspective you're in does. The author can't intrude and tell you what that character's face looks like or assume what another character is thinking. If you want to show these things, a section break or new chapter is in order.

It also means if you have a character walk out of a room or they have their eyes closed, they can't see anything, so you don't want to write what else is going on in the area/room visually. This is a good opportunity us use the other senses, though. Is there something they can hear, smell, or feel?

There are some key words that take away from deep POV. Like with many aspects of writing, they're not completely out of the question, but should be used only when it's really the way someone would say/think something. These include, but aren't limited to: thought, considered, felt, pondered, suspected, wondered, etc. (For example, instead of writing, "I thought about what she said," you could say, "Did she mean what she said Surely she didn't believe Bo was guilty.")

The main transition for a writer is to not see a scene from the outside, but from within one of their characters.

Continuing on with our current theme, today's post will cover one of two very important - and often hard to understand - elements of Quality Writing, which is the third aspect of good writing. There is so much to creating writing that flows, sings, and engages, that this one part will be separated into several sections. Today will cover the first stubborn, hard-shelled elements referred to above: Show, don't tell.

Show, don't tell - I can't tell you how many times I heard this phrase as a beginning writer . And each time I wanted to scream, "Tell me what that means! Show me, if you have to." Over time, people did show me - suggesting with certain lines and areas in a submission to a critique group how I could accomplish this great feat. And now I'll do my best to share this skill with you.

Basically, showing boils down to this: you want to let the reader experience the events, feelings, sights, sounds, etc. with the character the majority of the time. Okay writing tells what's happening most of the time and occasionally shows the action/scene. Good, quality writing shows what's happening most of the time and occasionally tells.

So you don't end up with the same frustrations as I did early on, here are some examples, with an offer at the end.

     Ex. 1 She was furious. (telling) She balled her fists and narrowed her eyes. How could he? (showing)
     Ex. 2 The house was beautiful. (telling) The lawn had been mowed in a checkerboard pattern and there wasn't a weed in sight. A porch spanned the front of the house and six white, round columns reached to the top of the second floor. (showing)
     Ex. 3 Suddenly, a fight broke out. (telling) Ken shoved his chair back and clocked Bart before he had a chance to explain. Peter jumped in from behind and tackled Ken. Both of the ex-football players crashed into the table, ignored the shattered wood and glass and rolled on the floor, each swinging wildly at each other. (showing)

Does that help? I hope so. And in case you want a little more assistance on this area of writing, I'll offer the help that has been so valuable to me - having a more experienced writer's feedback. I'm willing to accept up to five pages of your work to review and critique. Be forewarned - the hardest critiques to take are often the most helpful. That doesn't mean it's easy to see your writing - your heart, soul, and hard work - marked up with red ink all over it, but if you can accept it (which I've had to do hundreds of times) and can pull back from the emotional aspect of it, your writing has the potential to grow exponentially more than just studying the craft and writing in isolation.

So, from today through the next 14 days (through October 10), feel free to email me a sample of your work and I'll give you feedback. I can't promise it'll be fast, it all depends on how life goes here and how many submissions I get, but I will do my best to have it returned within 30 days with suggestions. Ready? email me here: [email protected].

So, in review, the first post about becoming a writer talked about the necessity of perseverance and the second discussed helpful resources. Today, we're moving past the soup and salad to the entree of writing.

In my last post I talked about my journey of becoming a writer and the importance of perseverance. While this is an essential element to becoming a writer (an author, really, if one's desire is to publish and sell books), there are several more integral elements to be successful.

Instead of talking specifically about what those are, however (see the tease?), today the focus is on resources. Why? Because it's through those resources those of us who love to write learn to take our ideas from our head, to paper, and finally to print. While the desire to get published is often extremely strong, most of us would agree that we want to put our best product out there. And that means learning - a lot!

When I began writing, I didn't have a clue what I didn't have a clue about. I remember vividly completing my first manuscript and starting to submit it. No one was nibbling, but I didn't know why. My questions were: Are they just not interested? Is it well-written or does it need major work? Should I keep submitting, revise it, or trash it? I really just didn't know. Now I cringe at what that first manuscript was like. I know know what it needed, and still needs.


 And how did I learn what all the mistakes were in my first attempt at a novel? Perseverance was part of - I kept writing and writing and writing. But I could have just kept on making the same mistakes if it weren't for the resources I've had a chance to utilize.


First are the books. I once read this quote (or something very similar): Want to get published? Write a book about writing. And it's true at least in part. There are dozens of books on writing, editing, and publishing. And most of them are very good! They have great tips, examples, and rules for writing that will help a writer improve their craft. They are also the most reasonably priced resource - often only a few dollars and sometimes found in your local library.


Second are writers groups. The net makes connecting with other writers easier than ever, especially if someone can't meet regularly with others. Because these groups are made up of writers with all levels of experience, and generally off some critiquing, it's a great way to learn more about the craft of writing and grow to the next level.


Third are writers workshops and conferences. These are more draining on the wallet, but are another wonderfully helpful resource for writers. They are great for networking, taking classes that are geared to your needs, and for encouragement. There's nothing that compares to being around a bunch of other writers. Critique partnerships and friendships often begin and are fostered through these events. 


The world of writing and publishing is something that lives under the radar of most people, but when you open the door to this world, you'll find that it's a rich one, full of people and resources that are generally helpful, supportive, and willing to share. I'm so grateful for everything I've learned from other writers, editors, publishers, and authors - helping me take my writing from okay, to good, to its best.