Get Out of “Show, Don’t Tell” Hell

This class will meet on Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Zoom for 4 sessions: June 2, June 9, June 23, and June 30. Note: no class June 16.

Description: 

We’ve all heard the writing adage “Show, don’t tell,” yet the difference between the two can stump even experienced writers. Also, sometimes it’s more appropriate to tell something instead of showing it, and we can write ourselves into corners adhering to the letter of the adage rather than its spirit. Join this class to gain confidence in knowing when to show and when to tell. 

This four-week Zoom class will start with the instructor providing live review of participants’ material, indicating shown and told portions and sharing guidance for revision. The following two sessions will dig deep into which occasions to show or tell as well as methods for doing both effectively. The final session will include a live review of participants’ new or revised material to highlight what they’ve learned and point out additional opportunities to refine their skills. We’ll also have ample time for questions. 

This class is a good fit for fiction and creative nonfiction writers. Some techniques will lend themselves more easily to writing fiction due to the greater creative license available to those writing purely fictional people/events.

About the Instructor:

Kristie Smeltzer's fiction has been published by Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, MonkeyBicycle, Atticus Review, and others. She is currently working on several novels. She earned her MFA in creative writing at the University of Central Florida. Kristie has taught at WriterHouse since 2016, and her students have gone on to publish their work in literary magazines, with small presses, and through large publishing houses. She also helps others tell their stories as a developmental editor and writing coach. Learn more at www.kristiesmeltzer.com.