Writing Action: The Art of Showing not Telling

Whether you are writing fiction or narrative non fiction, action is fundamental element of story, moving the plot forward, creating pace and revealing character. We often think of action as only the big events – a birth, a wedding, a murder, a car chase . . . but action also plays an important role in helping more static scenes flow easily, such as ones which involve contemplation or conversation. To make the most of these contemplative moments and to ensure they are engaging for the reader they also need to be grounded in simple action and in setting.

Through discussions, readings and writing exercises, this workshop looks at ways to bring to life the big dramas as well as the simple moments in our stories. We’ll explore techniques for ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling’, and consider how to build tension and work with pace, as well as character and setting, in order to write compelling scenes.