SHOW OR TELL!

For the last few weeks I have really been struggling. Why, you might ask?  Well, for several reasons.  One, I truly believe that I hit the submit button on my book (s) far too soon.  That is a huge thing for me to admit.  I had worked on that material off and on for five years.  I knew the plot and characters inside and out, or so I thought.  When I received the bad review-it wasn't just a wake up call- it was indeed a sign.  There was a great deal more in my head, not just for this story I wanted to tell, but more importantly to help me find my TRUE writers voice.  I had to face the truth, what I had written thus far, was nowhere near what I wanted to say.  It was instead a mish-mash of ideas and concepts-that really made no sense at all.  So, the reason I've spent little time posting- and on the internet at all, is I'm finally doing what I should have done in the beginning.  "HEAR" my voice-but write it in a way that others (readers) can understand.  Just because I know how the story will end, and begin-does not mean my readers will.  Just because I can picture what each character says or does-doesn't mean they will.  I have to SHOW them-not tell them.  That is a lesson that I believe now, EVERY author should use as their mantra.  Words mean nothing, if the one who reads them, cannot UNDERSTAND them, if one cannot PICTURE what is being said. I have researched, so much-reading every piece of information I can scrounge up, on the meaning behind that mantra.  It all makes sense.  My work was a TELL story-here I am- an newbie author, and I'm going to tell you all about this wonderful story I've had locked in my head for years.  I won't SHOW you that story though, I just expect you to understand it's purpose and meaning, as I do.  Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it. One of the best sites that I have read thus far is http://www.tarakharper.com/workshop.htm Maybe some of you seasoned authors already know this info-and don't feel you need to waste your time-but I'll tell you right now- even the most seasoned author needs to be reminded of the "basics" and Tara states them in a simple, easy and eloquent way, that makes everything perfectly clear. I even read one of her books, just to see a TRUE author's work, as well as two others, which I will mention later.  I know, your probably wondering when I could possibly have time to read- when I have 3 books to revise, well, I do it when I can't sleep-which is quite often. But that's our secret-in truth I live off about 4 hours-so what- many live off of less-so- to end this post, because I have work to do-(never ending) even if I haven't written my posts on self publishing yet-I am offering newbies one piece of advice-SHOW-don't tell! If you don't know whether your doing or not- give a copy of your manuscript to someone who you TRUST will give you an honest opinion.  No friend, no relative- just someone who loves to read.  When their done-if they don't "GET" the whole picture of what your story was MEANT to say- REVISE, REVISE, REVISE-