"Build characters by showing their actions. Sometimes you’ll be tempted to develop characters by saying who they are. Show them instead. Shaq was tall. That’s telling it. Shaq ducked to get through the door. That’s showing it."
Show, don't tell is one of the first things most of us learned in journalism, either from an overpriced textbook in j-school or through the imprecations of an editor who was going to tell you once–just once, pal, so you better get it right. The Shaq anecdote comes from Rick Meyer, and it's one of countless tips and tales you can pick up at Nieman Storyboard, which has compiled 75 of the best posts and articles from its archives, in honor of its 75th anniversary.
How about this one, from Bryan Burrough at Vanity Fair:
I think — in fact, I know — that I’m a lot pickier than some of my peers. I find a problem that too many people who attempt narrative journalism do is to think that applying the narrative form to material that’s subpar, that somehow elevates it. Well, it doesn’t. You’ve got to have the goods. I’m renowned, in fact, notorious probably, at Vanity Fair for throwing stories out after a month: "Sorry, not going to do that one." "Why? Why? Why? It was a perfectly good story." "No, it wasn’t good enough."
An excellent tip (especially for writers who can throw stories away and still make their rent…but we digress).
You will find plenty to like here. I'm not sure I would have seen this if the National Association of Science Writers hadn't posted a link on its home page. The link was unsigned, as are the many links that NASW posts to alert us to interesting articles about journalism. You might guess that Russell Clemings, NASW's computer guru–his official title, cybrarian, isn't big enough to cover all he does–is responsible for these posts, and you'd probably be right. You didn't hear this from me, but when you see him at the annual meeting, shake his hand and say thanks.
-Paul Raeburn
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