As a freelance editor (and also writer) I agree that there are times when telling is the right move, and helps the reader clarify things.

But I see so many manuscripts where it's all telling, and one thing this does more than anything is actually distance the reader from the point of view character. It's like we're all standing back being told stuff about that character and how they feel/think/react instead of being right there with them.

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Sherryl Clark - writer, editor, poet.
Sherryl Clark - writer, editor, poet.

Written by Sherryl Clark - writer, editor, poet.

Writer, editor, book lover — I've published many children's books and three crime novels for adults so far. I edit other people's fiction and poetry.

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