What to tell or what not to tell.

My writing desk 2025.

How would you describe your writing?

Mine is an ongoing experiment. I can get too wrapped up in showing rather than telling, a throwback to writing classes. I recently read that we should only tell the reader what they need to know. What to tell or what not to tell; that is the question, and where do we find the answer?

How descriptive should a writer be?

Recently, I wrote a short piece about the countryside. I wanted the reader to visualise and experience what I had observed. No plot, no characters, just a picture in my head that I put into words, and I relished the process. If there had been a plot and characters, my descriptions would have been too long-winded. making the reader lose interest. My writing is a work in progress, and I am always learning.

I read quite a lot. Sometimes reading can make me feel inadequate as a writer. I have even considered giving up at times. Does anyone else experience this? I might ask myself why I continue to scribble when there is already so much excellent reading material out there. The number of authors on FB alone is gobsmacking!

I try to remind myself that even the most accomplished writers began their scribbling by doubting, learning, and persisting, didn’t they?

So, what is your writing style? Factual, passionate, engaging, or all of the above?

 I suspect it depends on what you are writing and who you are writing for. I am slowly

learning to consider the latter. I usually write for myself.

Google stated that there are four main types of writing. It then added another three to the mix.

Narrative, descriptive, persuasive, expository, technical, creative, and journalistic.

It then listed types of creative writing.

Poetry, plays, film and television scripts, fiction, songs, speeches, memoirs, and personal essays.

I gave up after that.

All I can hope for during my ongoing experiment is that I write honestly, tell something that needs to be told, describe what needs to be described and learn from my mistakes.

The day I overthink and get bogged down by rules is the day I shall give up, because it will no longer be enjoyable.

My voice is a mere whisper compared to many of the resounding vocals out there, but someone, somewhere, might hear it, and if not, does it matter?

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." 

Anton Chekov.

JHW 2025

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