"Don't tell me the MOON is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." ~ Anton Chekhov
I love this quote because I've always loved staring up at the moon in the sky, but it also intimidates me because it relates to the thing I find most difficult in writing. To me nothing is harder than description and while I like to think I could show the glint of light I'm certainly not confident of it. I sometimes think I should try my hand at writing a script because I love to write dialogue. If I could write all dialogue and skip description all together I'd probably be a happy camper. But I'm going to keep trying to capture that light on broken glass.
I visited the Sunrise Sanctuary, a rescue for farm animals in Marysville, Ohio, this past Saturday and fell so in love with the place that it's inspired me to try to make more compassionate choices in my own life. To read about my visit, go to the BtC site here.
Since I wrote about my visit at BtC I will keep this brief, but suffice it to say that the Sanctuary is an absolutely wonderful and enchanting place that I am proud to support. I hope to visit again this summer. If you would like to learn more about the farm and the cows, pigs, goats, horses, llamas, ducks, and many others who call it home, visit their page here.
Maybe we should both try screenwriting then? I'm not much for description either.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a worthy passion, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI find dialogue is always easier to write, too. Someday I'll try writing screenplays, I think.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm crazy...but I enjoy writing descriptions. I think I actually go overboard on the details. So I cut things out while editing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a worthy cause, Julie.
I find dialogue easier, too, but I loved the quote. Just the advice was so visual! It's one I should tape over my computer.
ReplyDeleteBut your books manage to capture the essence of the scene - I think you write description very well!
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
I love description and have to curb myself at writing it. You could be more descriptive in dialogue and shorten your descriptions. Why not?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think you write pretty darn awesome.
Cool about the animal shelter.
I love that quote! That sums up "show don't tell" perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYou should write a script, Julie! I bet you'd be great at it. And no descriptions required :)
ReplyDeleteThe moon has so many faces doesn't it. I am sure that your greatest discomfort would turn out wonderful when you do write. I am all for saving animals and anyone who does this deserves a medal
ReplyDeleteI love that quote. Weird that I had the same thought about screenwriting this week. The first drafts of my chapters are always only dialogue, then I go back and fill in the rest. I'm really enjoying reading the quotes you've chosen and your thoughts on each. I'm always amazed at how much we have in common and I'm so glad I was introduced to your writing and blog via your sister and nephew. :)
ReplyDeleteSunrise Sanctuary sounds like a fabulous place. Raising awareness for animals is such a great cause. My daughter is starting to volunteer at our local human society this summer. We also have a wild animal sanctuary about an hour away from us. Those people who run it are incredible and sacrifice a lot.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we have a lot of potential screenwriters here. I've had that same thought myself. Dialogue comes so much easier.
ReplyDeleteDescription is hard for me too, but I just keep working at it.
ReplyDeleteI love that quote!
Description is something I tend to skip over during rough drafts, and I have been told when getting feedback that I need to put more description in.
ReplyDelete