24
Feb
I was originally going to blog about revisions, and things like that.
Until I tripped across an article by Roger Ebert, titled "Nil by Mouth".
I recommend reading it, not only for the content, but for his use of words and the emotion conveyed in his post. (Although the content is incredibly moving and evocative. I loved every word.)
Now, maybe I'm ignorant, but I didn't know who Roger Ebert is. I knew nothing about him and had to look him up.
Turns out he's a film critic. (Which would explain why I'd never heard of him — I tend to ignore film critiques.) Turns out he had cancer and through a series of operations, had his jaw removed.
That about covers what I know.
Except… I know so much more. Not about who he is in the eyes of the world. I don't know what he looks like, or what he does. But even so, I feel I know who he is, I know about the things he likes. (Licorice, anyone?) The things he misses. (Conversations at the dinner table.) And about the things he doesn't. (Food.)
That one article told me so much about him, so much more than I expected. It's a great read for budding authors, because it shows you, rather than tells you, something about Roger Ebert.
You know what it shows me most of all?
He's not given to whining. He doesn't sulk, or wallow in self pity. He's strong and resilient. He has hope. He has compassion and he understands people.
That's what his article showed me about him — without ever saying those words.
So, I'd like to put that article out there as a shining example of showing vs. telling. About characterization, because he does it splendidly.
– I'd also like to put it out there as a lesson to all of us, to keep our spirits up, no matter what.
Thank you for your post, Mr. Ebert. I truly enjoyed getting to know you a little bit.
And I promise to pay more attention to film critics in future! 
Enjoy.
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