Sunday, October 18, 2009

Queries are about “showing” not “telling”

Many writers, when they begin the process of crafting queries, tend to tell "about" their stories instead of telling their story as experienced through the actions and emotions of the protagonist.
Telling about a story.
My story is about a little girl who enjoys visiting and snacking with her grandmother.
Showing the story:
Little Red, skipping through the forest heading toward her beloved Granny's cottage, sings a happy song in anticipation of noshing on their favorite food--hot, cheesy, garlicky pepperoni pizza.
The difference:
The first example lacks emotion or action and doesn't show the writer's ability to write a story. Reads like a newspaper article. Just the facts.
The second paints a picture, a personality, a mood, and involves the reader who immediately reacts by ordering a pizza.

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