Welcome to Telling Tuesday, a day reminiscent of those in school when I looked forward to seeing what everyone brought for show and tell. This weekly feature was inspired by an article on WriteToDone.com, called “How to Show (Not Tell): A Writing Lesson from John LeCarre.”
It is one of the best articles I’ve seen on the rule all writers know–show, don’t tell–because it doesn’t just tell us how not to tell, it shows us some of LeCarre’s very own examples.
As always, I invite you to leave a link to your website or blog with your comments. THIS WEEK’S PROMPT:
I smell coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Oh boy, oh boy. That means it’s almost time to get up!
Scratch, scratch.
Oh! There’s Bear at my door. I love it when he comes to wake me up. That means Mommy is right behind him. I hear the knob turning. Oh! There she is. Mommy, in the same old pink bathrobe she always wears,peeking in to see if I’m awake. Bear pushes his way in front of her and nudges my crate with his nose. My tail begins to wag. That’s how I say “Hurry, hurry, hurry!” as she unlatches my crate.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H!! They don’t call it downward dog for nothing. I’ve seen Mom try to do it, but it doesn’t sound like it feels so good when she stretches the way I do. Oooh, let’s do another one.
Okay, now jump up on Mommy, give her a kiss good morning. Oh, where’s Bear — gotta kiss him, too.
“Come on pups,” Mommy says as we all three dance to the door. “Let’s go outside.”
When she opens it, I do my best to climb over Bear, because I want to be the first one out to see the . . . CATS!!! Oh, I’m gonna get them this time. I know I can get them.
Oh . . . gotta pee. Gotta pee before I can eat. But who’s gonna chase the cats? Dang. First things first. I’ll get you cats later.
Ahhh . . . that feels good. The first pee of the day. Okay, Mommy. I’ve done my business.
Now, food. Food, food, food! She always gives me the first scoop. Oh, it’s so good. I catch Bear prancing to his bowl at the other side of the kitchen. Mommy follows him with his scoop held high. He’s such a gentleman. Always looks up to thank her before he takes his first bite.
Not me. No siree. Where’s my second scoop, Mom? Second scoop. Don’t forget.
She plops it into my bowl. Yummy, yummy, yummy. I down my second scoop before Bear even finishes with his first.
Mommy pours her first cup of coffee. She takes a slurp of the stuff that smells so good when it wakes me.
I love mornings.
Care to try writing from the POV of an animal?
Wow. I can’t believe Jubie and Bear get taken care of before you have coffee. I’d expect you to have at least one sip before all that. Jubie sounds like Luna—everything is her favorite thing! Good job of showing!
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Well, Claire, that’s only because Jubie doesn’t always see me sneak a cup before she gets up. 🙂
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Hahah, loved it Jan and I don’t see where Frog5 finds anything revolting. I do have my coffee before the animals get fed, although when I had an indoor dog in the crate, I did let them outside first.
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You did an excellent job capturing the “young dog” perspective and attitude. But my friends at the American Association of Retired Canines take a much calmer, relaxed approach to mornings. We’re not going to chase anything until at least mid-afternoon, and never without having a nap first.
Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I couldn’t learn a new trick, but why bother. It’s not like I’m going to run away and join the circus.
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Cute. Great job. Loved the repetitive three words each time a new action was occurring. That’s exactly how energetic our younger Lab is. Fun way to show it.
I’d have at least half a cup of coffee first, though.
P.S. I have some ratty pj’s, too, and just skip the robe.
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Jan,
I love Jubie’s voice. You captured her and her thoughts to a T. Loved it.
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