There is this rule in writing, that you should show not tell. I think I get that, and I hope I write to that, as it is quite hard to work to. I imagine they use a similar guideline in movie making, though with a slight variation in meaning. I think it is a very important concept when attempting to make an emotional connection.

I was up late last night, not writing but channel surfing, which was not good when I stumbled upon Schindler’s List, which is movie that gets that. Schindler’s List is not a movie I would go out of my way to watch. In fact I saw when it first came out and swore never to watch it again, mainly because I don’t want to put myself through the raw emotional anxious it arouses. Nevertheless I found myself drawn back into the movie, despite knowing what was coming. That is the power of a incredibly well crafted movie.

Afterwards, having put myself through the emotional wringer, I found myself reflecting on storytelling, showing and not telling and emotional connection. Now in The Spiral Tattoo and The Oaks Grove I am not setting out to create any great emotional response. Sure I want to create an emotional connection, but it is more of a happy, what a great romp, connection. I off course think there is a place for that, otherwise I wouldn’t write it.

But I was left wondering if I could write that. If I could write a story that elicits a powerful emotion connection. I think so, but it would be that much more difficult to achieve. Maybe my next story should be in that mode?

Of course I would need to finish the story I am supposed to be writing at the moment first. The Oaks Grove has not progressed as well as I would have liked. I need to knuckle down, work through the small writer’s block I have in place, and stop procrastinating.

As a wise man once said, do or do not, there is no try.