tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post8943063092380819789..comments2023-09-29T09:18:38.933-04:00Comments on Bent on Books: From the archives: Beginnings, Endings, and the stuff in between - a post from JennyJenny Benthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12744171500436166262noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3570843285923755385.post-79412809745855375902015-05-25T15:02:20.859-04:002015-05-25T15:02:20.859-04:00Yep. My first complete version always has these th...Yep. My first complete version always has these three issues, but the question is what path do we take to the final version. Your tips 1 and 3 are on the spot. Writers should go over their original first 50 pages and cut what isn't relevant for the story moving on. Writers should slow down on the ending because this is what will be most fresh in minds of readers when they read the last word. While you can leave one issue unanswered for readers to ponder, the ending should be a comprehensive closure to the story and at least for the main character. What might be open to debate is tip 2. It's great that Jenny offers a departure from the rigid rule of showing not telling. This rule is most appropriate for poetry which is about images and you read it slowly to relish every sentence. In a novel which is after all about telling a story, following the rule of showing might slow the reading and also will limit the number of readers. When you write that the MC is tired every reader gets it. But if you try to show it, and some readers don't get it they will be frustrated. Hopefully, those in the publishing industry will think about books reaching all readers and relax the grip of Showing Not Telling in writing. Chantilla the Nun. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com