Mike Cheney
asked
Jerry B. Jenkins:
In your Ultimate Self-Editing Checklist, you said to "Avoid telling what's not happening." How then do you write into the story (for example) times when someone intentionally does not respond to a question, creating a tension in the air, so that it's obvious to the reader?
Jerry B. Jenkins
Mike, what I'm suggesting you avoid is telling: in other words, saying, "He didn't answer." Rather, I want, as a reader, to be shown this so I can deduce it.
A quick example:
"I want to know, Biff," she said. "I deserve an answer."
Biff stared out the window.
"Well?" she said. "Nothing? What are you trying to hide?
A quick example:
"I want to know, Biff," she said. "I deserve an answer."
Biff stared out the window.
"Well?" she said. "Nothing? What are you trying to hide?
More Answered Questions
Lynn
asked
Jerry B. Jenkins:
I loved your book "The Riven." What motivated this topic? Was it based on someone you had met?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more