The
writing world is cyclic, just like everything else. Right now, the cautionary
phrase on the tip of every critique partner’s tongue is show don’t tell. They’re
right, of course. Showing draws the reader deeper into the story, and adds an
immediacy to the reading experience. But many well-meaning crit partners often
label narrative or exposition as telling.
Narrative
is an integral tool that a writer uses to make the scenes come alive. Without
good narrative the story isn’t grounded. So how do we make our settings come
alive? We let the reader view the story’s settings through the filter of the
POV character’s emotions, experiences and beliefs. Look at the examples below
to see what I’m talking about.
