Show and Tell in a Nutshell

Show and Tell in a Nutshell... clever title, Jessica. 

     I could’ve used a book like Jessica Bell's when wrote my first manuscript.  My writing education had consisted of one creative writing class in high school and another in college.  (I also endured the grammar bits of English classes with limited comprehension, but that’s another story.) 

     After I wrote “The End” on my first manuscript, I looked it over a few times for mistakes, deemed it DONE and… *cringe* began querying.  An editor at Candlewick was kind enough to send me a full letter rejection of feedback.  That was when I first heard I needed to show—not tell.

I didn’t really know what that meant.

     My research led me to believe I needed more dialogue.  So I’d show, tell, show, tell, show, tell…

You get the idea.

Obviously I didn’t get it.

     It took me years to improve my writing skills dramatically.  When I began scouring agent blogs, I finally saw enough examples that I figured out the difference.

I’m slow. 

     Since then, my writing has improved greatly. When I receive critiques and rejection, it’s for lots of ludicrous  ridiculous other reasons. 

     But I’m not sure I sometimes don’t tell when I should be showing. Like all mistakes, it’s easier for me to spot when I read someone else’s manuscript than when I try to revise my writing. So I’m buying this book. 

Thanks for saving us from ourselves, Jessica!

Click to add me to Goodreads!

Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

Not only is this pocket guide an excellent learning tool for aspiring writers, but it is a light, convenient, and easy solution to honing your craft no matter how broad your writing experience. Keep it in the side pocket of your school bag, throw it in your purse, or even carry it around in the pocket of your jeans or jacket, to enhance your skills, keep notes, and jot down story ideas, anywhere, anytime.

If you purchase the e-book, you will be armed with the convenient hyper-linked Contents Page, where you can toggle backward and forward from different scenes with ease. Use your e-reader's highlighting and note-taking tools to keep notes instead.

The author, Jessica Bell, also welcomes questions via email, concerning the content of this book, or about showing vs. telling in general, at showandtellinanutshell@gmail.com

Reviews:

“Jessica Bell addresses one of the most common yet elusive pieces of writing advice—show, don't tell—in a uniquely user-friendly and effective way: by example. By studying the sixteen scenes she converts from “telling” into “showing,” not only will you clearly understand the difference; you will be inspired by her vivid imagery and dialogue to pour through your drafts and do the same.” ~Jenny Baranick, College English Teacher, Author of Missed Periods and Other Grammar Scares

“A practical, no-nonsense resource that will help new and experienced writers alike deal with that dreaded piece of advice: show, don’t tell. I wish Bell’s book had been around when I started writing!” ~Talli Roland, bestselling author

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US
£3.99 on Amazon UK

Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US
£1.99 on Amazon UK
$1.99 on Kobo

About the Author:
The Australian-native contemporary fiction author and poet, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.

She is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and co-hosts the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek Isle of Ithaca, with Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest.

For more information about Jessica Bell, please visit: 
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