Normally, on Scribble’s Worth Book Reviews, we review books written by writers, to the average reader looking for an exceptionally good book, BUT, today is a different day, as we are going to review a book written by authors, to authors, and regarding the #1 sin that many writers, be them experienced or newbies, make: The Show vs Tell approach.
YES! Dreaded to the point of shivers and many times, a career-ending mistake, if not tackled. SO! With this guidebook, that is extremelly short and practical you, dear writer will learn how to improve this. So, let us share with you what we found out with this book:
The first question that many authors that “tell” too much and want to “show” more, is “How?”. How do they do it? What do you mean by “show”. Personally, I had no idea when I started writing, so I relate, and the author, Ashley Earley, addresses just that, and the book becomes instantly relatable and draws us in as she promises to tell us all the techniques and exactly how to apply such a rule.
The one thing that will reassure you in the proficiency and veracity of this book’s techniques is the fact that the author, Ashley Early, is an editor, so she has the experience
Lo and alas! From the many truths that I’ve read in this book, one that I TOTALLY agree is the part of the avoidance of adverbs! As a book reviewer, and a picky one at that, I cannot count the times that I was jarred by the excessive, lavish use of adverbs, as they water down your narrative, giving the impression that you want to embellish things, and sound like Shakespeare (not in the good way), which tells the reader that you want to impress because you lack skills of description. Seriously. Cut the adverbs. 😀
Authors, I assure you, as an selective book reviewer, if you read two pages of this book, and apply even 20% of what the author tells you, your books will improve MASSIVELY! She is right! This works! And I can attest to that because the books that have the highest scores in our site, ALL share these characteristics that the author is teaching, inside this book. She NAILED IT!
Another cool thing about this book is that it doesn’t only give you a “once” definition and technique and it ends, no. Ok, sure, the book is relatively short, but, the author gives you several instances on how to use it, when to use it and how can you leverage this in several contexts! Are you writing an emotional scene, she let’s you know how to write and what to avoid. Are you writing about characters dialogue? She let’s you know where to focus. Character interaction? YEAP that too. Wow! This book is an excellent, straight-forward, no bullshit guide that any author can read and apply instantly! DAMN! This will save careers! OMG!
Ok, sure, the book is not perfect, and there are a few things I would have erased, a word here, another there, but overall, it’s pretty damn good and practical, and the straight forward style of it fits in this crazy world where we don’t have time even to breathe, so it ‘s very well thought out, and for those who want to buy this book as a softcover, well, there is an exercise part on the back for you to have a little fun winging it!
At first, as I read in my author skin, I was skeptical, but after reading it through, it got my approval and I will re-read this book when I start to re-write my novel. So, if you asked me, if you should get this guide, I would tell you that you are wasting your time by not having it. Grab yours now.
Pros:
- Short & straightforward
- Practical and effective
- Based advices and methods
- Simple definitions that make you go: Ahah!
- Examples that are clear and let you taste the difference and impact, so you don’t make the same mistake again
- All points of writing were adressed
Cons:
- None
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