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@btssgfest.bsky.socialSep 22, 2026, 6:08 PM

🍯Writing Tips🍯

This week we cover more on balancing show and tell⤵️

#btssgfests2 #btssgfestresources2 #btsfic #btsfest

Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph entitled "direct and indirect characterization". Rest of the text reads, "What is characterization? It is the description of the character’s physical traits, pov, personality, private thoughts, and actions. There are two types of characterization: Direct (tell not show) characterization Indirect (show don’t tell) characterization Both indirect characterization and direct characterization work together to create a complete picture of your character for the reader. Remember that characters, like people, are imperfect. They don’t need to be likable, but they must be interesting. What is direct characterization? Direct characterization means that the author explicitly tells the reader a character's personality or traits. What is indirect characterization? 'Indirect characterization' shows readers your characters' traits without explicitly describing or naming them." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by table comparing "direct vs indirect characterization". Rest of the text reads, "Tell not show vs "Show, don’t tell" Explicitly tells a persona or trait. vs Implies a character trait. Tends to be broad especially with emotions or attitude. vs "Tends to be specific, usually attaching behavorial patterns to explain an emotion or attitude." Tends to be concise and direct which may be helpful for a quick pace. vs Tends to be detailed and illustrated to build a picture. Knowing the difference between indirect characterization and direct characterization can help you determine which one is better suited to your work. Indirect characterization describes a character through their thoughts, actions, speech, and dialogue. Direct characterization, or explicit characterization, describes the character through their physical description, line of work, or passions and pursuits." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph that reads, "Though readers will always draw their own conclusions, they may draw conclusions far from your intent if you don’t offer enough clues through detail work. This is not necessarily always a drawback—readers bring different backgrounds and experiences to their interpretation of your text. But if you lean too heavily on indirect characterization for major plot points and the reader misses your clues, the gap in understanding may lead to an unsatisfying reading experience. 7 tips for using direct and indirect characterization 1. Avoid overusing direct characterization Direct characterization is useful shorthand. Instead of pages showing how a character is mean, you could start with 'He was mean.' Balance is key, though. Overusing direct characterizing may skew the balance towards telling, not showing. 2. Be direct with key details The trick to effective direct characterization is to reserve it for key details you want to establish upfront. Use inference to show the personal. Imply by describing an action or reaction and painting the surrounding scenes. 3. Support character statements with scenes Just like you would need to back up your claim or hypothesis in an essay with proof, readers expect you to provide supporting facts for direct characterization — and this is best done by creating vivid imagery in your scenes." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest." Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by text that reads, "4. Imply character through action and reaction Action and reaction also provide useful ways to tell your reader who your characters are indirectly. Think about what you want your reader to infer about a character from the way they react, even in incidents or situations that are trivial or secondary to your story's main plotline. In this way every scene, every incident, will contribute toward building your characters' personae. 5. Use direct details to be concise Direct characterization is useful, for example, when a narrator is recapping prior events that are relevant to the present story but not its main focus, and/or to establish the basics of a character early in a novel (which you can expand upon later). 6. Characterize indirectly through dialogue Dialogue is a fantastic device for characterization because it may move the story forward while also showing your reader who characters are in a subliminal way with the way they speak. 7. Let narrative voice lend character Think of similar ways you can inject characters' personalities into their narration. What subjects do they obsess over? How do they see others? Depending on the POV of your narration you can use the language your character would use based on demographic details such as age, cultural background, or class identity." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."
@btssgfest.bsky.socialSep 8, 2026, 8:28 PM

🍯Writing Tips🍯

This week we cover some basic guide points for worldbuilding⤵️

#btssgfests2 #btssgfestresources2 #btsfic #btsfest

Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph entitled "Worldbuilding: how to be authentic". Rest of the text reads, "Worldbuilding is how you create your fic’s foundation. It involves more than just the setting. It can be as complex as a unique location with exotic creatures, rich political histories, and even new religions. It can also be as simple as the modern world we’re living in. No matter the path you choose for your worldbuilding, remember that it’s going to be a strong pillar. It should be taken seriously. Whether you’re just starting with building your world or already have a grasp on how to worldbuild, here’s a helpful guide on how to start setting your fic: A Worldbuilding Guide Plan but don’t over plan If you’re an plotter, then chances of already having elaborate details on the rules of your world, the basic descriptions, and how the system works is high. The downfall, however, is you could be overplotting the details which result in information overload and adding more twists in your plots leading to multiple plot holes and a confusing worldbuild. If you’re a pantser then you might encounter problems during the writing process since pantsers have a high tendency to write for discovery. And if you’d rather discover your worldbuild as you write, then you don’t have a plan at all." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph entitled "A Worldbuilding Guide". Rest of the text reads, "Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, plan your worldbuilding. Begin small. Write in general ideas then branch them into little sections to further explain your ideas. Sometimes working on every detail results in zero writing. So, shape your ideas gradually; imagine working on small blocks of every pyramid. Plan for one block or two and then begin writing once you’ve defined the contents of the blocks in your plan. Describe your world Once you’ve determined your genre, paint a world for your reader that transports them, allowing them to see, smell, hear, and touch their surroundings. Show them, don’t tell them. Which idea for this new world most excites you? An other-worldly landscape? A new language? Strange creatures? Build on that to give you the momentum you need when the going gets tough. Consider: Climate / Environment Resources Geography Have references. Use them. A better worldbuild has some strong semblance to terms that already exist or a touch of reality. If you’re creating a new world altogether, don’t take the short path; build maps, craft new beliefs, and organize systems that will shape your fic effectively." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph entitled "A Worldbuilding Guide". Rest of the text reads, "3.Populate your world 4.Establish the History of Your World An effective worlduilding also requires the history of the event or the scene you’re writing about. Consider: The Deep Past: What happened to fuel the present economy, environment, culture, etc. Trauma: Wars, famines, plagues. Power Shifts: Political, religious, or technological. Religion Society Politics But don’t go overboard. One common pitfall is to make your worlbuild another entire story. The world is not the story. The world is the backdrop. Don’t let it take the spotlight. Think of the entire community found in your fic. Aside from the main and supporting characters, you need other characters to make your world believable. Consider: Are the inhabitants people, but somehow different from you and me? Are they aliens, monsters, or some new species?" At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."Cream graphic with hexagons with different colors and header "Writing Tip Tuesday" followed by paragraph entitled "worldbuilding in 3 major points:". Rest of the text reads, "Keep your world grounded. Prepare because it’s easier to go overboard than to start somewhere when building the fic’s world. The excitement of creating and exploring your new universe should be accompanied by a commitment to believability. If you’ve come across the phrase “a willing suspension of disbelief,” you know it refers to a reader’s willingness to temporarily embrace the impossible—setting aside their natural skepticism. And for the most fun reading experience, despite knowing down deep what they’re reading is fantasy, they allow themselves to accept the premise. So how do you convince your readers to believe in your built world? Be consistent: Always follow your own rules. If yours is a story in which monkeys fly, have them fly and treat this as normal. As you build your world, reinforce the laws you create (religious, political, physical, etc.). While these rules will not likely be the focal point of your novel, they should be prominent and accepted as normal throughout. Draw inspiration from real-life: Real-life historical events, personal experiences, interesting natural phenomena, and ideological beliefs (such as ancient religions and philosophies) can inform your world building. Prioritize your story over your world: Be very careful to make your plot even more interesting than your world." At the lower right corner reads, "guiding light fest."