As writers, we hear the advice to show, don’t tell. We can almost use it as a mantra. I suspect it is a bit of wisdom used by writers, editors and publishers as an item to tick off of their master lists.

Back in Kindergarten and Grade School we had an event called Show and Tell. It was me who brought the skeletal remains of a bird’s head. I wonder if this information is tucked away in my ancient transcript files along with the admonitions to stop talking aloud in class.

A few days ago, I was in the most dreadful of places with the most dreadful thoughts. I had to describe what I thought was going on inside a dark, damp and messed up place. The beginning of the most recent event happened while eating a 5 Guy’s cheeseburger with a plastic fork.

At first it was unsettling. Something had broken and coming out, it was every bit as big as I imagined it. It actually felt a little better so I downplayed the whole event, until the oook set in and the heat and the oook.

There was no way out of it. I had to go across town and climb up onto a swoopy chair and let strangers move into my mouth with sharp metal picks and hooks and some frozen probe.

For those times when you have to describe a setting, less is more, may apply, but we need to make the less – more.

I am making the effort not to confuse touch with feelings. I am presenting three links to help get us onto Sunday’s Topic. Sometimes You Have to Tell.

Writing Tips: How to Describe Setting using Touch

In terms of show, don’t tell, there are two broad strategies to think about. When used together they are brilliant tools to really paint a picture in your reader’s mind. The first is to use figurative language (but more on this in another post). The second is to use sensory language — to draw upon the five senses to describe the setting.

Descriptive Writing and the 5 Senses

One of the key things that a passage of descriptive writing should do is appeal to all five of the senses. Appeal to the sense of sight only (how things look) and your writing will lack dimension.

I am leaving you with one more link. This is to a list of words to describe texture.

400 Words to Describe Texture

Describing texture is a problem for both established and new writers, who often forget to write with senses other than sight. In reality, writers should use every sense.

Ask around, it seems most of us are aware of our bios being out of date. But talking about ourselves is not something we do so well. There are also a lot of rules, guidelines and suggestions covering everything from word count to first or third person. 

Come to Sunday’s Topic Chat and let’s see if we can take on the bio writing task. 

If you can’t come to chat or just want to prepare or brush up here are some websites.

Not only is it useful to know what you need to include in an author bio, it is also useful to see examples of how your vital information should look. This article will cover both what you need to include in your author bio and some examples of tight professional bios.

The Six Rules You Should Use to Write a Professional Bio

Writing a bio is hard.

You have to knock ’em dead with two or three dazzling sentences that show you’re a likable, credible, and accomplished expert.

When readers read your bio, they must believe you’re the answer to their prayers — a superhero who will swoop in and solve the big problem keeping them awake at night.

How to Write a Bio Like a Superhero (Easy 3-Part Process)

and

Unless you’re one of the household name authors (Steven King, JK Rowling, Malcolm Gladwell), most people buying your book will not know who you are.

So how will they learn about you? And why is this even important?

That’s what this chapter will explain: how to properly write your author bio, and why it’s so important.

Scribe Guide to Writing Your Author Bio (And Why It Matters)

Chat begins at 7PM EDT on Sunday, August 4th. Click on Chat Room in the website’s drop down menu.

This Sunday we are going to talk about reviews. 

Where do we find them? Beg, Borrow or Buy them? 

While researching this topic I ran into two articles about paid reviews. Attitudes and feelings about paying for a review are extreme. Some are acceptable and some are highly frowned upon.

Book Reviews: Should You Pay for Them?

There is no right or wrong way to get reviews for your books. If you have the money to pay for a review, and feel comfortable doing it, then do so. It pays to remember that getting reviews for your book is akin to getting publicity for it. Time, effort, some money spent, and being tenacious are needed.

Are Paid Book Reviews Worth It?

Here are three questions I ask authors when advising about the value of paid reviews:

• Do you have a well-thought-out marketing plan that targets librarians, booksellers, or schools?
• What is your overall marketing budget, and does it include hiring a publicist or outside help?
• What’s your book category? Are you trying to market a children’s book?

After reading the articles above the following Mini Guide is going to be our chat room topic.

• This is your Professional Self – you won’t be posting images of date night or setting up parties or committing Facebookary.
• Your LinkedIn Account Profile is a living, evolving document or online resume – You shouldn’t set it and forget it.