Latest Episodes
Episode 6 - The serious business of writing something funny
This is the last of the five techniques for showing not telling - and arguably it's the hardest one to do. Humour is a serious business and requires precision and integrity in its execution. Precision in terms of timing and editing, and integrity in terms of keeping the characters and scene believable. ...
Episode 5 - The power of suggestion
In this episode we look at another dimension of showing not telling, and that's the potential for hinting, suggesting or implying something rather than telling the reader outright. One of the most powerful tools we have as creative writers is derived from the fact that a hint or suggestion, well understood, will always have more power than something said explicitly. ...
Episode 4 - The zest of the orange the icy tingle of the stream in winter
In this episode I will explain how you can use sensory language to show rather than tell your story ...
Episode 3 - Sparse and Specific Description
How to use a small number of very specific descriptive cues to show your reader both scene and character ...
Episode 2 - Dialogue
Practical, accessible advice on using dialogue in your creative writing to develop character, build tension and progress the plot of your story. ...
Episode 1 - Showing not telling
The Creative Writer's Toolbelt provides practical, accessible advice for Creative Writers ...