Sometimes it's good to tell.

Learning to effectively describe can be a difficult task in writing. A character with a significant number of years behind them can simply be described as 'old'. This is simple and efficient which can get the fact out of the way so you can move on to more important things. Telling is a good way to allow the readers some artistic license in the creation of the character in they're mind. For stories that have to focus on something other than long character description go ahead and get the facts out.

'Charlie was old; his joints would start to set whenever he let them sit for a while without moving. The rust would build up and he could almost hear the creaking when he tried to move again. The pain was significant, so he attempting to keep moving as long as he was awake. Charlie finished a lot of work because of his joints.'

Telling allows the story to move on and frees up writers to write creative descriptions of something they feel is more important to the story.

Some writers disagree with telling. The mantra 'Show. Don't tell' is probably ringing in most of your ears right now as it is mine. However, long superfluous writing bores many readers. A friend of mine has mentioned his dislike for literature because he all too often will begin a story he thinks he may enjoy only to read, a few pages down, in a writers attempt to show the wonderful weather of the day: 'The clouds were buttered with sunshine.'  My friend is not a writer, but he could be your reader. If you want him or anyone else to buy and recommend your book. Avoid showing everywhere and get used to telling sometimes.

Write often

Writing something, anything, even if it's just a little bit, is very important for any aspiring writer, more important for professional ones. Delay begets delay, and before much time has passed in your mind, time will have passed in the real world by weeks, months or even years, and no one, especially you, wants that. Sit down to write just three sentences, like I did today, and you'll be amazed how much you actually write.

"Don't get it right; get it written" - James Thurber

Once its down on paper (see also: screen) editing can begin, and then you can make it right.

Canadian Literature

I have not often kept a journal; I tend to put my thoughts into my work. My intention here, however, is to promote the writing of many people I feel are being overlooked. For whatever the reason, I have read a multitude of work by local writers and for a reason I cannot understand is not published and what's worse may have even been rejected by publishers who work in that area.

Though I also intend to indulge in a little shameless self-promotion, I will primarily concern this blog with the work of others. Where my work is concerned I will discuss mostly my technique, my method and my thoughts regarding writing method in general.