New Blog – Show, don’t Tell
Writers are always being told – show, don’t tell. That’s great advice, but what the heck does it mean? It took me years to figure it out as a beginning writer, but once I did it became a filter I ran scenes through whenever my writing felt flat, or lifeless. If you’re a beginning writer thinking, great for her, but how does that help me figure it out, just be patient, because I’m going to give you some examples from the book I’m currently writing. It’s the twenty-third novel that I’ve written in my Anita Blake series, and my thirty-sixth novel counting one short story anthology, called Strange Candy. Why not tell you the title of the book I’m going to use as an example, because it’s still untitled.
Jean-Claude was first introduced in, Guilty Pleasures in 1993. One of the true challenges of being a series writer is to keep long running characters fresh for you as a writer, and for the readers. Both the ones that have been reading from the beginning and for the ones that have just discovered your books, and jumped in at the end. If you’re just starting out and haven’t got first book published, you may think, why should I care? Well, hopefully years from now you’ll be writing your twenty-something book, and then you will care, or I hope you will care as much about your characters as I do mine.
I wrote Jean-Claude’s first introduction in my current novel like this:
“Jean-Claude sat behind that huge desk and that gleaming display of matrimonial treasure, but none of it was as pretty as he was, and I didn’t think it was just me being in love with him that made me think that. He had been a ladies’ man for more centuries than our country had been in existence. He still occasionally appeared on stage at Guilty Pleasures, the strip club he owned, and had managed for years. On nights when he was billed as the star attraction we couldn’t get all the customers in the club, even if we were willing to make the fire marshal unhappy.”
It’s not a bad start, but it tells you Jean-Claude is attractive and sexy enough to be a stripper and a seducer of women, but that doesn’t tell you anything about what he really looks like. People have very different ideas of what attractive means, so the reader may fill in the blanks with the a totally different looking character from the above, because I’ve told them he’s handsome, even sexy, but I haven’t shown it, I haven’t proved it to the reader, and that’s really what showing vs. telling is, proving to the reader that the character is handsome, sexy, or whatever. You have to make your reader, see, feel, taste, touch, believe.
So I rewrote the scene:
“Jean-Claude sat behind that huge desk and that gleaming display of matrimonial treasure, but none of it was as pretty as him. His black hair curled softly past his shoulders mingling so perfectly with the velvet of his jacket that it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. The shirt that peeked from the jacket was scarlet, a red that looked fabulous with the hair and that unearthly white skin of his, a perfect whiteness that no living skin could rival. he was very pale tonight, no blush of color to his face at all which meant he hadn’t fed yet. There was a time I couldn’t have told, but I’d been studying his face and moods for years. Once I had refused to be food for any vampire, even him. Now the thought that he hadn’t fed, and that it could be part of our foreplay tightened things low in my body so hard and sudden that I had to reach for the edge of the desk to steady myself, and I hadn’t even gotten to his face.
I raised up to finally look into that face and that near perfect curve of cheek, the kissable lips, and finally the coup de grace of his eyes. They looked almost black in the overhead lights, but some gleam always seemed to show that swimming blue like deep sea water where the monsters swim, and there are wonders to behold. His dark eyelashes were actually double-rowed on top so they looked like he’d used mascara, but he never had to, and then the perfect arch of black eyebrow . . . he looked too beautiful, too perfect, like a work of art instead of a person. How did this man love me? But the smile on his face, the light in his eyes, said plainly that he saw something wonderful when he looked at me, too. I didn’t know whether to be flattered, amazed, or ask why me? Why not a thousand more traditionally beautiful women? he could have had movie stars, or models, but he’d chosen me. Me, too short, curvy even with my gym workout, and scarred from my job, still struggling to heal all the issues life had saddled me with, and yet, he smiled at me, held his hand out to me. I went around the desk to take that offered hand, but I didn’t feel like the princess to his prince. I felt like the clumsy peasant to his very, regal King. ”
Do you see what happens when you show, rather than tell? The above didn’t just show that Jean-Claude is gorgeous, but it also revealed Anita’s character and inner world, too. It also says something about Jean-Claude that wouldn’t have been on the paper if I hadn’t shown his appearance through Anita’s eyes, and let her show her feelings about him and herself.
Telling is literally telling the reader what they should believe, but showing let’s them see it, feel it, experience it for themselves much more viscerally. Telling skims the surface like a bare brush of lips, the way your aunt kissed you when you were a kid. Showing digs deeper, it’s a lover’s kiss, that presses so hard against your mouth that you have to open our lips to them, and let their tongue slide inside you. Telling is having to kiss someone; showing is wanting to kiss someone.
I don’t want to tell you that Jean-Claude is hot, and Anita is uncertain of her own beauty, I want to show you.
Show, don’t tell.
Jean-Claude by Brett Booth from the comic adaptation of Guilty Pleasures
66 thoughts on “New Blog – Show, don’t Tell”
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First off I’m a huge fan.And also Jean Claude made it on a list of top 20 vampires sadly Lestat was number 1 on the list but all of your vampires are number one as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been reading you books since i was 14 im 28 now and they never fail to entertain.So in a nutshell thank you.
It’s really not a comment but can you tell me when your next Anita Blake novel will be out. I own all the books except the especials. I really love your characters and I love the fact that Anita finally realized that she actually loves Nicky.
Dear Ms. Hamilton,
I don’t know if you had anyone proofread your book Kiss the Dead. If so they messed it up, in every book that you have written before this one Stephens fiance’ name is Vivian not Vanessa. I don’t know if this was a type error or someone just forgot that the wrong name was put in the book. Thank you for all the books that I have enjoyed reading time and again. You have a great mind and are a very gifted writer. Again thanks for all the books.
Thank You,
Cyn Partridge
Hi Laurell,
Thank you for the insights you have given us into showing, not telling. It is very hard to grasp as a beginning writing student, even after writing for years.
I always enjoy what you have to say and am as always a huge Anita/Jean Claude fan.
Best,
Kris
Here, here! Brilliant, as usual. Thanks for sharing with us, LKH. 🙂
so loven the pic, looks close to whats in my head 🙂
When I first started writing my uncle Charles Sasser who is successful writer himself have me this advice. He said I needed to read misery by Stephen King for a good example. I love how my uncle and one of my favorite writer’s are giving the same advice, helps me believe I’m heading in the right direction.
I love how you explain this. I’ve always loved the way you portray your characters. I’m able to see them in my mind easily. Your word choice and some of the steamy scenes often give me chills. I can’t wait to read more.
I found this to be immensely helpful, I am sure I will remember it whenever I write. Thank you!
Thanks for that little teaser, I have missed Anita and hearing her voice. I thank you for showing us again that inside part of all your characters not just with their thoughts but with their actions. Sometimes it is like coming home to an old friend and then sometimes it is like WOW I never knew that or understood that before which is why I have read them several times now.
Especially how they deal with the darkness that lives inside all of us not just ‘monsters’, it was a line from a song that really clicked it for me’ “The devil ain’t in the darkness, he is rattling around inside.”
We can only chain it down with things like love, honor, trust, all the good things that come from ourselves and others we share/cherish. So much of who I am is hard to show little alone tell, but with the ones you love it should always be show not tell even in fiction. Blessed Be.
THANK YOU!
You spoke to me once after a panel at DragonCon and it wasn’t long there after that I was published.
Thanks for your great advice.
Wade
To tell is to put me to sleep. To show is to send me to the shower. Whew! That was HOT! Looking forward to reading this new one! Thank you for sharing a bit.
Thank you for your advice and the excerpt in the upcoming novel, both are greatly appreciated… I look forward to hearing all of your advice, as you have spurred me from just my published poetry to expand on other’s advice of writing a novel… I have only just begun… Thank you and keep those great works coming Laurell!!!
As a newer writer I found this advice very helpful, but I also found that with my writing I tend to over detail things, any advice on that. By the way I love your books and I really can’t wait to see what happens next in the Anita Blake series.
Love This series
Your male characters need haircuts,especially if they end up in close combat a lot.Anything else and they’d get whipped around so easy.
Difficult, difficult. I love your explanation it help a lot but it’s so challenging to try to show a situation. I’m a recent writer and I’m improving every day my writing but when I read something like this I’m afraid I have still A LOT to learn. (I’m italian so don’t worry about my english, I write in my own language 🙂 )
Thank you.
I have been trying to get back into writing these past couple weeks. I have gone from fleeting thought, to writing small snippets just to get the feeling and flow again. Your words have helped me in this journey.
This was unbelievably helpful. I am currently working on my first novel and I am scared as hell and just trying to figure out how to put my thoughts and my world together so the reader can see what it is that I am seeing. Thank you so very much! I love Anita and Jean Claude had been my front runner since Guilty Pleasures. I’ve written poetry now for already twenty years and now I am ready to begin to tell the story which had been tickling my mind for many years now. Keep up the amazing work!
THANK YOU AGAIN,
Ashley
Hi Laurel, I started reading your books when I was 15. I´m 23 now and of all the authors I adore, you have probably influenced me most.
I´m an avid reader but I also wrote a lot when I was younger. When writing my finished story, I was reading your books and you actually taught me how to write dialogue 🙂 (And I´m guilty…long hair, men, says it all)
Right now I started thinking about a new story I want to write. I haven´t gotten far though as I am still debating how to start, what will happen, how my characters will look etc.
With this you have gotten rid of one of my problems. I think I´ll sit down today and start writing character introductions or at least how they look like. As always it´s a pleasure to read from you. I follow your social media and I always look forward to hearing and reading from you.
I can´t wait for the new Anita novel. Jean Claude has been my favorite vampire since I read Guilty Pleasures and he probably always will be.
Greets from Germany <3
All good advice. I would add to this that good prose tends towards making the reader an active participant in the process rather than passive. Telling forces them to be passive, showing allows them to engage with the setting by actively adding details of their own or drawing their own conclusions. That is how I deal with the showing/telling issue – by asking myself ‘is the reader active in this scene?’
It’s hard to do because for some reason almost everyone is hardwired to write in a way where they tell rather than show – certainly most writers start out doing that (and I have seen it in a lot of work I have edited or beta read from new authors). I know I did. So you are effectively going against the natural instincts. I think this post is a good one because it shows that even established writers have this problem too.
LKM, I was first introduced to your series last fall. Since that time, I have read all your books including the recent Merry Gentry. I adore your writing technique, and am in love with your characters. Once I start one of your books, I can’t seem to put it down until I am on the last page. Thank-you for continuing your two most beloved series.
I just love your writing. It is so passionate! I can’t stand reading typical romance novels because they fall flat and aren’t believable. Your world is rich with believable people that resonate with aspects of myself. They are presented in such detail including what is in their minds that we understand their motivations and doubts. (and one of my favorite shirts is the one with that picture on it!)
Excellent post…and I love the example including my all-time favorite vampire and vampire hunter.
Thank you so much for your advice! I love how you take out the time to help aspiring authors and boost their confidence with your kind and cheering words.
I have never read this put so clearly! Beautiful imagery I truly love your work! Hope you never quit bringing Jean Claude and all the others to vivid life!
The fact that you are still in love with your characters shows through on every level.
I have every one of your books, and can’t wait for more.
Keep on keeping on.
I’ve been a fan of the Anita Blake series for a long time. Started reading them in 2003 when I was deployed to Iraq at the age if twenty two (oddly the ones with Edward in them are some of my favorites). They were a welcome distraction from the war going on all around me. I just want to say thank you for the great stories you’ve put out and look forward to reading more about Anita and her men.
love everyone of ur books. keep up the great writing. u make me love all anitas and merrys men. you are the best author to me. my book shelf always has room for your books. thank you.
Thanks for sharing some writing tips. I always wondered exactly what “show, don’t tell” means and whether or not I’m doing it “correctly.” I can feel how different the two pieces are and what the addition can do for the writing… Thank you!!!
I’ve been a lover of vampire books all my life! Now at the young age of 54, I’m still searching for new novels and reading them. Not a big fan of romance novels, I like the scarier stories that make you want to crawl out of bed at night and peak out the window at some strange noise made out there, and believe it or not I did do that once only to find a couple of doe pestering my bird feeders.Your books have both and so wonderfully combined!
By accident I stumbled across Guilty Pleasures at a yard sale. I couldn’t put it down and after finishing it, got on Ebay and purchased every single one that I could get and finished getting the last two at my all time favorite book store, Barnes & Noble. I’ve read every book in the series and now waiting patiently for your next book.
Thank you Laurell Hamilton for becoming one of my favorite authors!!! 😉
This is why I love your books so much. I don’t ever feel like I’m reading but transported to ever page like I’m there . Thank you so much .. Much love!
Laurell,
I’ve been an “aspiring” writer for some time now. I’m 38 years old, married happily (we’ve been together for almost 20 years and of those we’ve been married 11). I’m a proud mother of 3 and stepmother of 2.
I suffer from PTSD which has put me on disability now for almost 15 years. Now coming into physical disabilities, I feel hopeless and stuck. I pumped out the first 20 chapters (about 70k words) of my first manuscripts in about 2 weeks before I came to a screaming halt – Writers Block! I recently began working on a different story that was floating around the far reaches of my mind for some time. The problem I’m having is just as you described. I was telling more then showing.
I enrolled for school beginning in January of 2015 for English Fiction Writing and English Literature. I felt maybe I could get some insight on how to be a better writer. I feel as if the my very salvation hangs on the ability to get published. I know that may sound dramatic, but where I’m told I am not to work under any circumstances and many people know it’s near impossible to live off social security, I feel putting my talents to use is all I have to turn toward.
I think this bit of advice is the best I’ve heard in a long time. Although, I’ve heard it before, I’ve never been privileged to an actual example as you’ve put here. I can’t even begin to thank you for this. You may have cured my issue with the current manuscript and I just may be able to get out of the writer’s block for the first one. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
~Laura
PS. I do love Jean Claude (who doesn’t?) But I must confess… Asher has always been my number 1 🙂
Hi Laura,
Just a bit of friendly advice: A lot of fiction writing and literature classes do not allow “genre” writing. If you are wanting to write paranormal stories, or anything else that would be considered genre (mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, erotica, etc.), you may want to check with your instructor before the class starts.
I did my undergrad at the school which is ranked #1 in the US for creative writing, and there was a big no genre policy (at least there was ten years ago).
Also, don’t base your salvation on the idea of being published! People can work for years and still not be published. Your self worth should come from you, not an publisher.
Beautiful. Constructive advice. Eloquent.
Thank you, Laurell. I get it. (BTW: I just read “Micah” for the first time. Loved it.)
Thank you. Really useful advice, demonstrated really well. As usual now, I can’t wait for the rest of the story
“People have very different ideas of what attractive means, so the reader may fill in the blanks with the a totally different looking character from the above, because I’ve told them he’s handsome, even sexy, but I haven’t shown it, I haven’t proved it to the reader, and that’s really what showing vs. telling is, proving to the reader that the character is handsome, sexy, or whatever.”
Anita, like all first-person narrators, is inherently unreliable. By having Anita go into great detail about Jean-Claude’s physical appearance, LKH clearly shows the reader what ANITA considers physically attractive. The thing is, she has no guarantee that her readership will agree with Anita’s assessment. Since quite a lot of people consider long hair, uber-white skin, and velvet coats to be UNattractive on men, going into such detail creates a huge risk of undercutting her initial point (that Jean-Claude is physically attractive). That’s the danger with this kind of over-description: you run a strong risk of accidentally “proving”, in the minds of your readership, that your narrator doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and that the situation is actually the opposite of what the narrator thinks it is: here, that Jean-Claude is actually very physically UNattractive.
The first example is snappy and (somewhat) witty: it conveys what needs to be conveyed about Jean-Claude without getting bogged down in unnecessary descriptions. It shows us Jean-Claude is sexy via the fire marshal and “ladies’ man for centuries” tidbits. His status as a businessman is casually and subtly pointed out. Being a “ladies’ man” for centuries and being a popular stripper pretty much require a man to be handsome and sexy, and convey sexiness far better than any long-winded recounting of physical attributes ever could.
The second example . . . the second example definitely “shows” us a lot about ANITA: she’s obsessed with physical appearance (as she gives us a great deal of information on the minutiae of Jean-Claude’s eyes and skin but nothing whatsoever about his personality), and she has a very specific yet kind of inexplicable understanding of what constitutes physical attractiveness (being short and curvy as signs of unattractiveness in a woman, while a man wearing a velvet coat as a sign of attractiveness—any reader would wonder where such bizarre assumptions are coming from). She’s the sort of person who can say things like “matrimonial treasure” with a straight face. She enjoys hearing herself pontificate. Twenty books in, she’s still repeating the same “I am unattractive” mantra, despite maintaining a harem of (what she considers to be) attractive men. Is Anita so unintelligent that she genuinely believes she’s unattractive at this point, or has she become so accustomed to fishing for compliments that she even does it in her own head? It’s up to the reader to decide, but neither possibility makes Anita look good.
But in general, the second example manages to suck all the sexiness out of Jean-Claude while making Anita look pretentious. He is portrayed very passively in Anita’s mind in the second example: he is an object to be studied, existing only in relation to Anita’s gaze. In contrast, he comes across as “active” in Anita’s mind in the first example, because he’s described in a context of doing things that are not Anita-centric. The first example isn’t perfect (matrimonial treasure? Who talks like that?), but it’s miles better than the second, and is actually a much better example of “show, don’t tell” than the second. The first example shows us an attractive, sexy man. The second example just “tells” us that Anita considers Jean-Claude attractive. That she does so with a lot of words doesn’t change the fact that the author is telling, not showing.
I have to agree with you here. To me example two is simply MORE telling instead of showing. In example one, we understand a little about Jean Claude as a WHOLE person, while in example two, we simply are TOLD more about his physical characteristics, and we learn more about Anita than JC. We actually have a better understanding of who JC is in example two.
More words does not transition a passage from telling to showing.
Sorry, should read
We actually have a better understanding of who JC is in example ONE
I agree with Andrea and Gwen.
Example two is not a case of showing, instead it is telling even more.
I also agree with this assessment. Example 2 is just a more wordy description. It just tells us in greater detail – it’s not showing. That’s why in the last several books readers have complained about the endless conversations and descriptive filler. Characters talk about big plot points that happen off screen. We are told that JC is now in charge of the council – there is no action or showing the reader how that happened. Most of her last few books have also had 2 page epilogues wrapping things up – telling the reader how they defeated the big bad, but not showing. Showing these things would be writing chapters on the actual fight or showing how JC won the top spot – not just telling us that we won or JC is now the king.
I both agree and disagree with this train of thought. Andrea, Gwen and Neminis, in my opinion, are correct in saying that 2 is more than nessasery I think there is a need of blending between the two. In some ways I love seeing the simplicity (this works better when you already know a charicters head to toe discription) but I love being enveloped by a character discription as well. Handsome is as handsome is to each person this means something….different. When I pick a book for the sheer joy of reading I want one that transports me, one that allows the world of stress and bills to desinagreat. Many of LKH reads are going to be to some extent a tactile audience, with a NEED for the texture of the world she creates. Anyone can write a police blotted, Male 5’8″ attractive ect ect. LOL offers what many forget. In the second example I could not only see JC’s sexual attractiveness with the long silky hair and soft lips and eyes heavy with lashes. Maybe the character is someone overstated in some areas but he is more “real” for a reader now …
As for AB’s insecurity…….welcome to the world of women. So many of us do not feel attractive and just becouse we are told we are dosnt make us believe it to our core.We look in the mirror every morning and try to find any way to hide every flaw that we KNOW is there regardless of how real said flaw is. Most women can appreceate aspects of themselves and have a health balance others loath what they see as flaws and still others just give up and stop trying all together. Point is we all look in the mirror and go ” well here we go again”.
Interesting points, however I read the second as being more in the first person POV she always writes in and the first as drifting away from it. One of the things I marvel at with LKH is her mastery of the close first person POV. The book is not about JC, it’s about Anita and how Anita views her world.
The first para would be a good start if the POV were not as close. The books are Anita-centric: that’s what close first POV is about. The second para shows JC and illuminates us on Anita.
The second example may be more typical for Laurell, however, it is not a good example of showing vs. telling.
Anita tells the reader everything. She tells the reader exactly how Jean-Claude looks, and she tells the reader exactly how that makes her feel. There is no “showing” going on there. Showing is not explicitly telling the reader things, but having the characters act in such a way that the reader picks it up anyway.
You are amazing! A hero of mine. I didn’t start reading your books until I was in high school but since then, I just can’t put them down! I look forward to every one of your novels, blogs, facebook and twitter posts! Thank you so much for all you do!
Been reading since I was 16, bought the first three Anita Blake books in one, read all three in a couple days and ordered every one after that. ‘Obsidian Butterfly’ was my favorite because I loved the interaction between Edward, anita, and Otto (no spoilers). Great series.
Note: I also have a ‘Nightseer’ (loved it, want more. Is there ever going be a book two? ) and ‘Nightshade’ (star trek isn’t my thing but LKH books are).
I’m so glad your writing another Anita Blake book. Jean Claude is my absolute favorite. Thanks for the picture. 🙂
You’re an amazing story weaver, and I thank you for sharing some of your magic with us.
Your writing is actually the only contemporary writing I enjoy when being wrote like this. I am a very analytical, goal oriented, and not very visual person. Usually I do not care much what the scene looks like, what clothes characters are wearing, or who has prettier hair. I am more focused on plot and process. I like ideas and thoughts more than tangible reality. So when most writers spend a great deal of time showing a scene I get bored and tend to skim. However, you show your scenes in a very different way. First, you are the most thorough writer I’ve ever read when it comes to describing something. You leave nothing to the imagination. Your words are vibrant and captivating. I like that. And second, you have a way of making your descriptions integral to the plot and process of the story. It becomes just as importan to the story as any major event. So, while normally I could not care less if an author tries to show me the scene, I highly enjoy the way you do it.
What I’m always struggling with in my own stories.. (I just write to get the stories out of my head, not because I’m any good. though I still make a “Good Faith” effort at it) Is the balance between exposition, and getting on with the story. I try as much as I can to let the story tell it’s self, and to find a balance with enough descriptive flavor without boring the reader to death, and having them forget why they are reading to story to begin with… I Sometimes have a lot of trouble with that. I tend to go too far one way or the other.
Thank you for writing another Anita Blake book. I look forward to reading it. I have read the entire Anita Blake series over and over and just can’t get enough. So, thank you for being you.
I absolutely adore the Anita Blake series; it’s been an inspiration to me for years for many things, including writing, and I love that you’d give your advice so freely and even use real life pieces!
hi I have just read Shiver of light ….. OMG I wait what about 12yrs for that come on Laurell you can do better then that it look like you got close to the end and then went omg I have to finish it ….. sort to say it was a wast of my time …. hope the next one is better 🙁 … I love your books but your dropping the ball a bit
I love your book Laurell…. my boyfriend said he saw something about Anita Blake coming soon to HBO are they finally going to do your series justice and produce it like they talked about in 2010…. God that would be so awesome….. Anyway it looks like they may have found their way to get married but i cant wait until it publishes…. YOu are one of the Best Writers i read and i read your books very often…. Now i am reading them to my boyfriend and he is loving them…. Keep it up and i have your new Meredith book too…..
I read this on the date it was released and thought it was interesting. Since then I have read several books that sounded very interesting but just didn’t hold my interest. It finally hit me, those authors were telling not showing their characters. The story itself was good, the characters were good but didn’t come alive for me like yours do. I have fallen asleep at night wondering how Anita would react to the strong female characters in 2 other series that I follow. Hmmmm it’s an interesting concept.
I was hungry for your next Anita Blake book, now I am absolutely starving. Can not wait to be at least sated, for like every other one of them I have read I know I will always want more.
Ooh, cannot wait to read the next book!! I love to read, but I find lately I am missing some of my favorite characters of which all live inside LKH’s head. Since I am longing for them, I just cannot be bothered to read any other material right now unfortunately.
I’m sure other massive fans like me know what I’m talking about. I like to call it “readers block”. Haha it’s lame, I know, but IDC what anyone thinks. I miss Anita Blake and all her sexy vamps and I, not interested in reading anything else at all. Even when I try, so hard, to read any new vampire series I just can’t do it. I always, in my mind, wonder what Anita would think or how Jean Claude would react to whatever the author is trying to write. I hope the next book comes out soon and in all honesty another two or three would be fine by me. Haha I just love this series. I feel an attachment to the characters and I truly wonder how they are or what they’re up to, even though I know they’re make belief. Hey, a girl can dream.,
Sorry for any typos, I’m on my ipad and auto correct is a nuisance! Maybe I should proof read?
I have been reading the Anita Blake (and later Meredith Gentry) novels since I was 13 when my mother first gave me her copy of Guilty Pleasures. I am 26 years old and still a die hard Anita Blake fan. I lost my mother almost 7 years ago and still being able to read your series brings such happiness and reminds me of her every page. Even thinking about our Team Jean Claude vs. Team Richard debate still makes me smile. Thank you for creating something that brought my mother and I closer together. You will always be my favorite author for this and forever in my top five heroes list. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this example! Showing vs telling is something that I struggle with in my own writing sometimes, and often don’t even catch that I’m doing the latter until I’m on my second or third draft. You really laid it out well, especially since you used an actual example of something you wrote. And, of course, that the example included Jean-Claude and Anita was a definite bonus…
My fantasy man!!!
I think that it would be great if you had posters or pictures of Anita and all of her men done like in the comic books by Brett Booth. I would buy the posters in a heart beat.
I love all your books I’m rereading them now and I can wait for the next book to come out. But I wanted to know if Anita will get any more animal to call like bear or something else and what happened to the other leopards that was with Micah. I love to find about what they been up to and how they are helping Anita and Micah in there jobs.
thanks you I love your books
Laveda
That was PERFECT , thank you!