Creative Writing Show Don't Tell/Hero's Journey/Feedback Etiquette

True or False: Writing is better when you "tell" instead of "showing."

• True

• False

Which of the following is NOT a way to "show" instead of telling?

• Get rid of all basic sensory words (i.e. "I heard," "I felt")

• Don't use emotion-explaining words (i.e. "happy," "sad," "scared")

• Make sure the audience knows exactly what the main character is thinking.

• Describe body language.

"Showing not telling" means putting a lot of faith in the audience's ability to _________.

• Relate to the protagonist's struggle.

• Put two and two together.

• Compare your story to stories they have already read.

• Ignore small errors in writing.

The Hero's Journey is _____ steps.

• 10

• 11

• 12

• 20

What is the "Ordinary World" step of the Hero's Journey?

• Where the Hero exists before his present story begins

• Where the Hero exists after he is propelled into action.

• When the Hero is approached by a mentor who guides him out of the ordinary world.

• When the Hero realizes that everything is about to change.

What is the "Call to Adventure" stage of the Hero's Journey?

• This is where the Hero exists before his present story begins

• When the Hero meets his or her mentor and learns what it means to be a Hero.

• It presents a challenge or quest that must be undertaken and changes everything.

• It's pizza time.

What is the significance of the "Crossing the Threshold" stage of the Hero's Journey?

• This action signifies the Hero's commitment to his journey.

• This stage shows that the Hero is ready for whatever may come his way.

• This stage is a trick that will ultimately defeat the Hero if he does not listen to his mentor.

• This action calls to question the Hero's willingness to move forward.

True or False: The "reward" in the "Reward" stage of the Hero's Journey must be a physical entity.

• True

• False

True or False: A Hero's Journey does not have to take place in an action-adventure story.

• True

• False

What does the "Return with the Elixir" stage of the Hero's Journey signify?

• The Hero realizes that he or she must move on from the life he or she had before.

• The Hero returns home to deliver the magical elixir that he or she sought after.

• The Hero has died in some sense of the word (either physically, emotionally, or spiritually).

• The Hero returns home to his or her Ordinary World a changed person.