For those of you unfamiliar with Thomas the Tank Engine, it's a show that has been on for many, many years, helping little ones understand different feelings and emotions while emphasizing the importance of making good decisions.
The show's lessons are great for teaching children, but it struck me as a perfect (and slightly amusing) tool for teaching us 'newbies' what not to do when writing as well.
Examples:
Thomas was cross.
Ahh. this is the infamous telling, not showing. A big no-no. A writer would demonstrate a character's mood with facial expressions, dialogue, and body language.
"I'm ready!" Thomas exclaimed, cheekily.What's this? An exclamation mark with an exclamatory tag plus the dreaded adverb. My, oh my. A writer would know that exclamation points are to be used with extreme caution and definitely not with a tag already describing the tone. As for the adverb, we already know the general consensus for those.
See? Sometimes it's really that simple.
Newbie word of the day: SNI- an acronym for shiny new idea, a new book concept that suddenly hits you upside the head. Usually while you're in the middle of writing one already.
My head hurts form all the SNI's!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a great example of what not to do.
Haha, cute post, Amanda. Good examples re: what not to do. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha great post and examples of what not to do.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget SNIS, Shiny New Idea Syndrome. I swear someday that is going to be a real disease...
LOL, that was great.
ReplyDeleteAnd I still use PWANI...Pants-Wetting-Awesome-New-Ideas. :)
LOL. I must use that one in the future
ReplyDeleteLOL Amanda. This post is so true. Thanks, Thomas the Tank Engine!
ReplyDelete