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Rain poured in sheets as I put the last few items in my suitcase. Ella, my 2-year-old furbaby, stared at me with those beautiful amber eyes. I could see the sadness. I tried to hide my packing from her, but to no avail. My husband and I drove our two dogs, their crates, food, toys, treats, etc. up the street to our neighbors who were going to watch them for two weeks. I hate saying goodbye.

“We’re just going on vacation,” my husband said.

“I know.” But I would miss them. I miss them when I’m in the office for work. Yes, it’s only 10 hours I’m away, but I still miss them.

Taking a deep breath, I petted each of them (though they didn’t care since they were preoccupied playing with our neighbor’s dog) and left.

When we got to the airport, security was a breeze. So much that we had 3 hours to kill. If you’ve never experienced the Atlanta airport, just know that it is the busiest airport in the world. However, on this day, it wasn’t crazy…at least in the international terminal. Our flight was at 4pm and we were to land in Paris at 7am (Paris time). I had only been on an 8-hour flight once in my life, two years ago when I visited Ireland and Scotland, so I knew I could handle this. I would just sleep on the plane. No big deal.

I could not sleep at all. The plane felt like a literal sauna. My husband couldn’t sleep either. I read, watched movies, read some more, tried to write, but my mind was in a fog.

When we finally landed, we got through customs quickly. The lady didn’t even ask why we were visiting. We got our bags and had someone pick us up. I barely recall the drive to our rented apartment. We entered the building, through the courtyard, and into another building. The elevator was TINY. It claims it could hold 3 people, but it barely held me with my luggage. Okay, I had a large suitcase, but the weather was rather finnicky and I wanted to be prepared. Once I got off the elevator, the apartment owner met me and showed me the 1 room apartment. There was a bed, a tiny kitchen, and a bathroom with a washer/dryer. We didn’t need a lot, so this was perfect. We freshened up and set out for the day.

It probably didn’t hit me that I was in Paris until we visited the Eiffel Tower. But even then, I felt like it was a dream. Very surreal. I had always wanted to see Paris, and now that I was there, I couldn’t believe it.

I was born in a small Alabama town, Cullman, and I loved to travel. My brother and I would travel often with our grandparents to Florida to visit Mickey or swim in the ocean; Colonial Williamsburg to experience the past; the Smoky Mountains to savor the beauty. Everywhere we went, I collected hundreds of brochures of places or things I wanted to see. I loved hearing about their own adventures in Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and the Rocky Mountains. Paris was always on that list of places I wanted to see, but I never for one second actually thought that I (little girl from Cullman) would see Paris.

But there I was: climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower, sipping wine at a quaint café, and indulging in some of the most amazing food. I rode a riverboat on the Seine, floating past the Pantheon, Notre Dame, and the Louvre, where I even befriended a Pomeranian.

I marveled at works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, and Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Feeling like a kid at Disneyland as I strolled through Aurora’s castle and screaming in the Tower of Terror. Admiring Monet’s gardens at Giverny and standing in awe at the grandeur of Versailles.

With each day we stayed in Paris, the more I fell in love. It’s also important to note that nothing I ate upset my stomach. The tap water they served tasted like drinking Evian. I felt alive, amazed, empowered. I could see myself living in Paris, sitting at one of those cafés writing a book.

Alas, our time in Paris had come to an end. We traveled by train for three hours to Montpellier, a city in the southern coastal region. Along our journey, we marveled at pink water, witnessed the beauty of wild flamingos, explored fortresses built in the 1200s, admired Roman structures dating back to 40-60 AD, and immersed ourselves in vibrant communes. As we strolled through Arles, we could almost feel the same artistic energy that inspired van Gogh’s masterpieces. We joined locals in celebrating Victory in Europe Day (the end of World War 2) and had a barbecue with friends who were quick to inform me I have an expensive pallet for wine. (A girl likes what she likes.) Our excursion to Marseilles led us to Chateau d’If, a place where Alexandre Dumas delved into research for The Count of Monte Cristo. However, our visit was not without incident, as seagulls launched an unexpected assault, cementing my hatred of birds.

As the last day approached, I felt a pang of sadness knowing that I would have to say goodbye to this enchanting place that fueled my imagination, that immersed me in a captivating culture, that sparked a newfound interest in French cuisine, that will always hold a special place in my heart. At Charles de Gaulle airport, (by the way the bougiest airport), there is a sign that reads “Paris will never forget you.” I smiled, snapped a picture, and said to myself, I will never forget Paris.

The art of storytelling is a delicate dance between showing readers what’s happening and telling them. It’s a balance that writers must master to engage and captivate their audience while conveying essential information and emotions. The age-old debate in the writing community revolves around these two techniques: showing and telling. In this article, I will explore the intricacies of this balance, its importance in storytelling, and how to effectively use both techniques to craft compelling narratives.

You’ve heard the mantra “show, don’t tell” in writing workshops and classrooms and probably rolled your eyes a few times. It encourages writers to paint vivid mental images for readers by using sensory details, actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts. Showing is about allowing readers to experience the story, to become active participants rather than passive observers.

One of the primary advantages of showing is its ability to immerse readers in the narrative. When a writer shows, they create a sensory experience that makes the story more tangible. For example, instead of telling the reader that a character is angry, describe how the character clenches their fists, their face turning a deep shade of red, and their voice quivering with rage. By showing anger through physical and emotional cues, the reader not only understands the emotion but feels it.

Moreover, showing can enhance character development and build empathy. Through showing, readers gain insight into characters’ motivations, fears, and desires. When readers witness a character’s actions and inner turmoil, they can relate to and sympathize with them on a deeper level. This connection makes the characters more memorable and the story more engaging.

Effective showing also creates a more immersive and visually stimulating reading experience. Consider the difference between these two sentences:

The sun set behind the mountains, casting a warm, orange glow across the valley.

The valley looked beautiful as the sun set behind the mountains.

The first sentence utilizes descriptive language to paint a vivid picture, allowing readers to visualize the scene and experience the beauty of the sunset. The second sentence merely tells the reader that the valley is beautiful without providing the sensory details that make it so. And it’s boring.

While showing is a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, telling has its own unique strengths and is essential for maintaining balance in storytelling. Telling allows writers to convey information efficiently, provide context, and control the pacing of the narrative.

Telling is particularly useful for summarizing events that are less critical or require less emotional depth. For instance, if a character needs to travel a long distance to reach a destination, telling the journey in a sentence or two can save time and keep the story moving forward. Without some level of telling, stories might become bogged down with excessive detail and lose their momentum.

Additionally, telling can be employed to provide essential background information, historical context, or exposition. Imagine a fantasy novel set in a complex, otherworldly universe. To help readers understand the intricacies of this world, the writer might use telling to explain the history, politics, or mythology without lengthy and distracting digressions.

The Delicate Balance

The key to effective storytelling lies in finding the right balance between showing and telling. Neither technique should be used exclusively, as an over-reliance on one or the other can lead to storytelling pitfalls.

Overusing showing can result in excessive detail and a slow-paced narrative. Readers may become frustrated if they are inundated with descriptions of every character’s appearance, every minor action, and every nuance of the setting. In such cases, the story may lose its momentum, and readers might lose interest.

On the other hand, excessive telling can create a distant and emotionally unengaging narrative. When readers are told everything, they are denied the opportunity to connect with the characters and the story on a personal level. They may feel like passive observers rather than active participants. Or like they’re reading a newspaper article.

To strike the right balance, consider the significance of each scene and the emotions they wish to evoke. Critical moments and emotional turning points are prime opportunities for showing, as they require readers to feel deeply connected to the characters and events. Less critical or informational scenes can benefit from a judicious use of telling to keep the story streamlined and focused.

Techniques for Balancing Show and Tell

Start with showing. Begin scenes with showing to draw readers into the immediate sensory experience. Describe characters’ actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts to establish a strong connection.Use telling strategically. After establishing a scene with showing, writers can use telling to summarize less critical events or provide context. This keeps the narrative focused and prevents it from becoming bogged down.Show emotions. When it comes to emotions, showing is often more effective than telling. Use body language, facial expressions, and visceral reactions to convey characters’ feelings.Balance dialogue. This one’s my favorite. Dialogue is such a powerful tool for showing character interactions and emotions. Let characters’ words and tone reveal their relationships, conflicts, and personalities.Trust the reader’s imagination. Don’t over describe every detail. Give readers room to use their imagination and engage with the story on a personal level.

The delicate balance between showing readers what’s happening and telling them is at the heart of effective storytelling. It is an art that requires skill and practice to master. Showing immerses readers in the narrative, allowing them to experience the story, characters, and emotions firsthand. Telling, on the other hand, serves as a valuable tool for conveying information efficiently and maintaining pacing.

Be mindful of when and how to use these techniques to create a compelling narrative. By striking the right balance between show and tell, you can engage readers, evoke emotions, and craft stories that resonate long after the final page is turned. In the end, the art of storytelling lies in the skillful orchestration of these two complementary techniques, creating a harmonious and unforgettable reading experience.

Happy writing,

Carrigan

How does one start a new book? Do writers just sit down and start writing? I was asked to share my process on starting a new book. This is rather loaded because there are so many components to this.

Whenever I’d get an idea in my head, I used to just start writing scenes – favorite ones or whatever came to my mind, and it was never in order. I guess you could call me a pantser. I never knew where the story was going until I was about halfway through the writing and had gotten to know my characters. That has since changed. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this tactic, but I feel the book can be much stronger with a plan.

When I was in grad school, I took a screenwriting class which was completely out of my realm. I had never written a screenplay in my life. Screenwriting is VERY different than novel writing. But I was up for the challenge and learned quite a bit.

My professor had us read Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! This book focuses on planning out the story by having scenes meet the beats of the story. Every movie follows the formula. But What about novels? Well… Jessica Brody created Save the Cat! Writes a Novel which is based on Snyder’s book. Like screenplays, novels follows a pattern. A blueprint for your novel by way of a beat sheet.

The pattern* in a nutshell goes like this:

Act 1

Opening ImageTheme StatedSetupCatalystDebate

Act 2

Break into 2B StoryFun & GamesMidpointBad Guys Close InAll is LostDark Night of the Soul

Act 3

Break into 3FinaleFinal Image

*Please note, this is taken from the YA version of Save the Cat!

Once I have my idea, I fill out the template or blueprint. Basically, if I don’t know what will happen in that particular beat, I give a summation of what might happen. Sometimes the scenes come to me. Sometimes it takes a little while. Once I have a rough draft of the beat sheet, I start writing. I still pick my favorite scenes or whatever comes to me first because those are at the forefront of my mind and ones, I’m most excited to write about.

The outline almost always changes as does my story once I start writing and that’s okay. For me, the characters tell the story and sometimes they change what I originally planned.

Another HUGE component to my novel writing (and starting a book) is research. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a horror or science fiction or fantasy or a memoir. Research is VITAL to your book and writing process. Plus, you will gain tons of new ideas for your novel or perhaps something to use in another novel.

So that’s my process!

I highly recommend Jessica Brody’s Save the Cat! books. They are incredibly helpful. Below are some other amazing books that help me.

These are my favorite books and I highly recommend them.

Happy writing!

Carrigan

You’ve walked into countless bookstores and have seen the displays for banned books. My favorite is the “Don’t read me” section at Barnes & Noble. While book banning isn’t a new phenomenon, it seems to be just as popular nowadays. As someone who started reading at a very young age, I read everything from classics to young adult to children. I remember reading Judy Blume’s Forever when I was 11 or 12. In school, we read Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Birds Sing, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Lois Lowry’s The Giver (this was hugely popular among 8th graders when I was that age), and countless others. When I got to college, I read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger—and I LOVED it. Part of me wondered why we couldn’t have read that in high school or even junior high. The reason this book has been banned is because of the vulgar language. I will always appreciate my mom for letting me read anything (within reason—she wasn’t going to let me read those Harlequin Romance books thankfully) but she let me read books with important themes. One of my favorite books is Fahrenheit 451. Why is it banned? Graphic content. According to Study.com, “some people may take offense to the content due to conflicting moral, ethical, or religious beliefs.” It’s rather interesting that this book would be banned, given the plot.

Advocates of book banning argue that it is necessary to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from potentially harmful or inappropriate content. They contend that certain books may contain explicit violence, offensive language, or controversial ideas that could negatively influence young minds. Moreover, some argue that book banning can safeguard social values and prevent the dissemination of dangerous ideologies, such as hate speech or propaganda. Huckleberry Finn & To Kill a Mockingbird do include racial terms; however, they contain such racist words to paint an accurate picture of the period. Angie Thomas’ book, The Hate U Give has been banned because it apparently promotes police brutality. Several books that deal with suicide have been banned. Why are these books not allowed to be read? As a person who has suffered from depression, books are helpful because they not only give me another understanding, but it helps to know that I’m not alone. That depression or suicide isn’t sugarcoated—it’s written as realistic as possible. Two of my own books deal with mental illnesses and readers have praised the books as being realistic.

I don’t believe in censorship of books; however, I do believe that parents have the right to decide what material their children are exposed to and when—but shouldn’t have the right to restrict what books are available to other people. One of my friends, who is in her 30s, was unable to check out a book from a library because it was banned there. Many of these books are so vital to literature. Books give a better idea of the world and viewpoints of people who identify in these ways. Books are a gateway to different life experiences and reading encourages empathy and social-emotional development. Censorship limits the exploration of diverse perspectives and stifles critical thinking. Individuals should have the right to make their own choices regarding what they read.

Book banning carries significant implications for society. While the intention may be to protect certain groups, it can inadvertently restrict access to knowledge, stifle creativity, and impede progress. A society that embraces intellectual freedom fosters critical thinking, empathy, and tolerance. By exposing individuals to diverse ideas and perspectives, even controversial ones, societies can grow and evolve. Conversely, when certain voices are silenced, it undermines the principles of democracy and diversity.

What are your thoughts on book banning? Do you think some books should be banned? Why? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy writing!

Carrigan

What a year. It started out in January–in the blustering cold of the Smoky Mountains with my fiancé and friends–where we celebrated my 40th birthday and I got engaged. In March, I met some of my best friends from the Jimmy Eat World group–and even met Jim Adkins in person!

For the first time in my life, I traveled across the pond to Ireland, then to Scotland to visit a friend. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. This had been on my bucket list for a long time, and I finally got to go.

In May, I had to experience one of the worst losses of my life–my beloved Eli was laid to rest. I spent days and weeks feeling lonely and lost. I started sitting on Rover, then I found a little girl who needed a home. We named her Ella in honor of Eli, and she has been such a sweet girl who is helping me heal. I still miss Eli–and I always will.

In July, I got to see Kansas for the first time and visited with a friend. I started my last semester at Kennesaw State in August, feverishly working on my capstone project. I was able to incorporate mental health into my final thesis and I hope to publish it as a book some day. Also in August, I found my wedding dress, and got to meet Andrew McMahon!

A few of my classmates and I were supposed to attend a conference; however, the weather prevented it, and it was moved online. I presented my capstone project and discussed the research methods involved. My fiancé and I volunteered at an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk–which was an incredible experience.

Yesterday, I walked across the stage to receive my Master of Arts in Professional Writing. It was an incredible experience–one that I will not take for granted. Not only did I learn how to amplify my writing skills, I also connected with a lot of other writers, editors, and publishers. Throughout the two years, the program gave me several opportunities that I never thought could be possible. I also served as the Fiction & Nonfiction Editor of the literary magazine and interned with the AFSP. I joined writing clubs, but most of all, I am a much better writer because of the program. I learned how to write engaging personal essays; articles; interviews. I even took a screenwriting course! While I’m going to miss attending classes, I will still be there for other tasks and duties.

On that note, I plan to work on novel #10, and I hope you will enjoy it. I can’t say what it is just yet–that’s a secret–but maybe I’ll announce it soon.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for me the last two years, who have supported my endeavors, and who still supports me to this day.

Happy writing!

Carrigan

Hello,

If you don’t know by now, last week I had to lay my precious boy to rest. I am beyond devastated, and I know some people will say, ‘he was just a dog.’ But Eli was more than that. He was my companion; my best friend. He comforted me through days and weeks of depression. He calmed my anxiety. He helped get me through an abusive relationship.

He made me laugh with his goofy antics. Eli was definitely one-of-a-kind. Scared of hardwood floors – he always had to have at least one paw on a rug. We strategically set up rugs throughout the house for him to walk on. If I were cooking downstairs and he smelled chicken or eggs, you’d hear this ‘thump thump‘ of him jumping off the bed…then him barreling down the stairs hoping for some food. He loved his stuffed animals…most of all, his piggy. He loved cuddling and food…especially treatos. Anytime I’d write on my laptop, he would come lay in my lap and rest his head on my keyboard. At night, he got into the habit of barking at us when it was time for bed. He wanted us in the bedroom with him and he’d always sleep in between us. I never minded.

Cancer is a nasty thing, and sadly it took over. Eli would have been 10 in July, but the cancer was fast. I want more years with him. He still had years in him, but cancer wouldn’t let that happen. I still have almost 10 years of incredible memories we shared, and one day those memories will bring smiles and not tears. He was such a good boy, even my vet was bawling. She always talked about how sweet he was and that he never once tried to bite her or fight her whenever she needed to perform tests. He would wag his tail and try to lick her.

Even on his last day, he was wagging his tail. And we put our foreheads together like we always did when he comforted me, until his last breath. He will always be in my heart and he’ll always be my lil guy.

If you’ve ever lost a pet, you know how hard it is. And it’s perfectly normal to grieve for however long it takes. They are a part of our family and they provide comfort, unconditional love, laughter, happiness. They are such amazing creatures.

Carrigan

Greetings!

Last Wednesday, I went to the Tori Amos concert here in Atlanta. Obviously, she was amazing. It was the first time I’d seen her in 8 years. I wanted to see her in 2017, but I was unable. I met a couple of people and I love how all of us were such huge fans and understood each other. It was such a great feeling.

Tori Amos playing the piano.

But that’s what music does – it brings people together (not to sound cliché). It’s brought me to some of my closest friends. I met my best friend because of Tori Amos; I met a group of amazing ladies because of Jimmy Eat World. Music also helps me write scenes and get the emotion perfectly. That’s why I always listen to music when I write.

Sometimes I start out with a playlist and start writing to it or if I’m stuck in a story, I’ll search through music trying to find that feel or tone of the story. (Yes, sometimes this leads me down the music rabbit hole!)

I used to think I was unique in this, but turns out there are so many writers who do the same thing. I went to a conference once and this author said sometimes she’ll take a walk and listen to music. She’ll set it to a random playlist and let it play – without skipping a song – hoping that the scenes will come to her.

Now that the semester is over for me, it’s time to start my capstone project, but also get some creative juices flowing on my books. I’m not sure what to work on right now but I have so many ideas flowing through my head. I even created a little idea book to write them all down.

Hope you all are having a lovely Friday!

Cheers,

Carrigan

Public speaking has always given me anxiety. No matter if it’s in front of a classroom, in an office meeting, in front of five people or twenty. I find it nerve-wracking, but I still do it so I don’t get out of practice. The literary magazine alongside the Georgia Writer’s Association held a poetry reading at my school campus the other day, and I ended up being the introduction speaker. Yes, I stumbled over some words and tried so hard not to read directly from my notes, but I got through it. We were also giving a retirement present to the program’s director, who has been the director of the professional writing program for almost 30 years. None of us want him to go, but we’re happy for his retirement. Perhaps he can continue writing amazing books. (He is the author of Bombingham which I read in my undergrad and it was nothing short of amazing.)

Next up, was husband wife writing team, James Braziel and Philip Levine Prize winner Tina Mozelle Braziel. They live in a glass cabin in a small town in Alabama, and it was fascinating to learn about that. They are currently writing a book about the building process and living there.

James read one of his short stories with such ease; his voice grabbed me and pulled me into the story immediately. Tina read us some poems about her love of water, and various bodies of water. All of their pieces sent me into the south and full of memories growing up filled my mind along with stories I could churn from my own experiences with living in a small southern town. I got to talk to them afterward, and both live in Alabama, so we talked about being from Alabama and it was fun discussing places and they knew exactly what I was talking about.

They both inspired me to continue to write more, and to get back to writing poetry and short stories. I started out writing poetry then I moved to short stories. I’m not really sure why I stopped writing poems or reading them. Though I can’t say I ever saw myself as a poet – more like an angsty teenager. I remember in high school, there was a poetry contest and we were to read ours in class. I thought, “yes! this is my realm! this is what I excel at and maybe people will be impressed.” They were not impressed. Turns out, EVERYONE was a poet. They all had notebooks full of poems and of course it turned into a popularity contest. Not to diss the winners or anything. I went home feeling frustrated (as most writers do) about feeling not good enough.

I have never won a contest with my poems or short stories or anything for that matter. This program is pushing each of us to continue submitting our work to places and keep pushing through. I’ve made a list of places to submit an essay I wrote for class. However, I got my first rejection for a contest last night.

It’s tough. And writing is very subjective. But if you know in your heart that this is what you want to do, and that this is your passion, keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t be afraid to fail. Just keep trying.

And remember. Writing is hard!

Whatever you do, don’t give up. Writing only gets better with time and practice. I promise.

Happy writing,

Carrigan

Hello!

I know what you’re thinking – two posts from me in one week? Who is this girl? Trying to make more of an effort in this blog.

I came across this video of Jimmy Eat World, and hearing them discuss topics such as anxiety, depression, and drinking is another reason why I love this band so much.

Jim is super honest in this interview, and one of my favorite quotes from Jim in the interview is “identifying with something that may not be true about yourself…like you’re just awkward…you’re just [this] or [that] and all that’s as true as you let it be and it forces you to face some maybe uncomfortable truths about yourself and once you’re able to do that…you’re kinda free.”

It’s true. Sometimes you have to face your demons in order to find your true self. It’s never an easy feat, but it is definitely worth it. I think that’s one of the reasons I connect with this band so much. When dealing with doubts and labels and trying to figure out who you are or who you want to be…it’s a journey and there are so many elements that help you get there. For me it’s music; super supportive friends and family; And my writing. It all helps me get through all the obstacles that I have – and even the ones I set for myself.

The interview talks about their 2019 release, Surviving. The album itself helped me navigate through my own survival of life after my traumatic marriage.

Even after all I’ve been through, I still doubt myself and my writing. In my classes, I submit assignments and stress that they aren’t good enough and that I won’t get a good grade. But I do. My professors have been impressed with my writing and want me to keep up with it. Even the academic writing.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a little tidbit today and share this interview of my favorite band.

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!!

Cheers,

Carrigan