Jessica Bell in a Nutshell

(It rhymes!)

So I said I was going to do this once a month, and here I go doing it twice in a row. Today, I'm interviewing one of my very first bloggy friends, Jessica Bell (link).

Jessica (she sings)

I met Jessica in 2010 after she sent me an email that said, "Hey. I've been seeing you everywhere. We should be friends."

True confession: I respond well to blunt people. I'd much rather someone who just flat out tells me what they think to polite folks who make me guess what's up. I'm not a good guesser.

Jessica is just such a person, and we've been tight ever since. She's got a fantastic new writer's resource out, Show & Tell in a Nutshell (link). 

If you're a writer, you've been told at least once, "Show don't Tell." But how do you know if you're showing and not telling? It can be really hard sometimes!

Never fear, Jessica is here. And she doesn't just tell, she shows with fantastic examples of "This is telling" turned into "This is showing."

It's amazing.

And trust me, she's the organizer of the annual Homeric Writer's Retreat (link), a published author, an award-winning poet, a professional editor, and a second-generation rock star. Jessica knows what she's talking about.

Here's the poop her new book, and after that, my interview.

Get me... I'll make
 you better.

Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

The author, Jessica Bell, also welcomes questions via email, concerning the content of this book, or about showing vs. telling in general, at showandtellinanutshell@gmail.com.

Reviews:

“Jessica Bell addresses one of the most common yet elusive pieces of writing advice—show, don't tell—in a uniquely user-friendly and effective way: by example. By studying the sixteen scenes she converts from “telling” into “showing,” not only will you clearly understand the difference; you will be inspired by her vivid imagery and dialogue to pour through your drafts and do the same.” ~Jenny Baranick, College English Teacher, Author of Missed Periods and Other Grammar Scares

“A practical, no-nonsense resource that will help new and experienced writers alike deal with that dreaded piece of advice: show, don’t tell. I wish Bell’s book had been around when I started writing!” ~Talli Roland, bestselling author

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US * £3.99 on Amazon UK

Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US * £1.99 on Amazon UK * $1.99 on Kobo

And now for our interview! Buckle up...

LTM: So, Jessica, You're from Australia. David Letterman once referred to Australia as "the United States on Spring Break." Just how long is spring break in Oz, a.k.a., the Land Down Under?

JB: Um ... probably as long as  Emer O'Toole's armpit hair?

(LTM Note: OK, I had to Google that, and ... OMG--LOL! You have to see this--link. This is why I love Jess.)

LTM: Speaking of the Land Down Under, since all Australians know each other AND since your parents were in a 1990s alt-rock band, what do the Men At Work like to do on Spring Break?

JB: I think they're still traveling in a fried-out combie, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie. Pretty sure the strange lady they met still makes them nervous and cooks them breakfast. And I'm positive that when Aussies listen to that song it makes them want to throw up every breakfast from the last decade. This song makes me want to break spring. Shame it's already broken.

(LTM Note: I get this. As a so-La. native, I have problems with The Princess and the Frog... OK, except for Ray.)

LTM: We've known each other a few years now, so I happen to know you were a goth in school. I've seen pictures. Just how hard is it to keep that corpse skin tone while you're on spring break for so long?

Goth Jess (link).
I'm diggin that red wig...

JB: Have you experienced Melbourne weather? Gotta carry your entire wardrobe in the boot. Nature doesn't make it difficult.

(LTM note: First time I read that, I thought, "Your whole wardrobe fits in your boot?" For like five secs.)

LTM: You're a musician and a poet—your poetry book Fabric (link) was up for a Goodreads Choice Award this year (squee!). I also love your debut novel String Bridge. If that weren't enough, you're the voice of Miffy (the cute little bunny, link). Is it hard for you to keep all these alter-egos straight?

JB: Honey, you should take a look in my drawers.

(LTM note: This feels like that time you called me a "dag." Does drawers mean the same thing in Oz as in the U.S.?)

LTM: If I say to you that you were a cute little goth, will you strap on your combat boots and kick my tushie to a bloody pulp? (Are you going to do it now because I said "tushie"?)

Miffy, the cute little bunny
has Jessica's voice.

JB: I'd probably just give you Twisted Velvet Chains (link), and say, "Read it and weep."

(LTM Note: Done...)

LTM: Finally, have I ever told you my father's younger sister married a Bell? Their oldest daughter is named Jessica. Are we secretly related? (And does that further mean I'm a goth?)

JB: Ha! No, you never told me that! I'm really put out that there are so many Jessica Bells out there. I've got a lot of competition. Wanna be my hit man? If you'll be my hit man, I'll let you look in my drawers.

(LTM note: Not sure I'm scary enough to be a hit man. I'd better stick to carrying your pink poodle. Not a euphemism.)

LTM: I said "finally" up there, but one more. You live in Greece now. Feta is not as good as Greek yogurt, which is less good than hummus. Discuss.

JB: My sweet chick pea I think you need some Greek wine.

(LTM note: Yessss... I hoped you'd say that. Let's geaux.)

Whee! Thanks, Jessica! And there you have it, reader-friends our great writer-friend Jessica. Now you know her even better--and don't forget to grab your copy of Show & Tell in a Nutshell (link)!

Get me and snuggle...

* * *

One last thing: another bloggy friend (and fellow Aussie) Lynda Young (link) has her short story "Birthright" in a special holiday anthology collection Make Believe (link).

Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible. 

She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her. 

Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

It sounds amazing, so do snag a copy (link)~

And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends! I'm headed back into the writing cave--woo hoo! and I am so excited. <3