Animated
Hands clap and I’m awake.
“Everything ok?” the hypnotist asks, a mischievous glint in his eye.
No! Everything’s different.
Arriving home, my neighbour greets me.
“Good morning.”
I doff an invisible hat.
“Any plans for today?” she asks.
I walk to my rose bush and prune my roses with invisible shears.
“Are you alright?”
I shake my head.
I’m a writer. He claimed he’d help me master the art of ‘show don’t tell’.
I agree, his little trick was funny at first… until he failed to reverse it!
So, until he succeeds, I’m left to gesture through life… completely animated!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleGreat illustration of “showing” rather than “telling”. No writer will quickly forget this story! Lots of fun, with a bit of learning thrown in. Nice image as well.

What a lovely surprise! Thank you so much voice-team. My previous successes have both been on the dark side so it’s nice to have a light-hearted story recognised.
Such an awful situation to be left in. Great story Linda, your protagonist’s life is different indeed.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI think I’ll skip the hypnotist and stick to the self help guides! Thanks for commenting Carrie.
Wow. This story is completely different. I like it.
The imagination can take you to some weird places sometimes Lotchie, but it’s always fun!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYes, you are right, Linda. That’s why I always love it here in Voice club. It helps me boost and enhance my imagination on every story that I read here.
Are you alright now Linda? I see you are still miming and waving to everyone. The milk man has just made a hasty retreat down the path – I think I’ll call back later.
You’re probably right to stay away Eric, you won’t get much conversation out of me these days! But I’m sending you a wave, hope you get it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLinda, this is just priceless! You’ve certainly “shown” us what that famous writer’s advice means! Brilliant story, and great picture.
I’m glad you saw the funny side of it Julie, which was what I intended! Most of my stories tend to be on the serious side so this for me was some light relief! I was lucky to find that picture, it fitted perfectly!
I really enjoyed this story. Your style of writing is very unique.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you so much for your kind comment Daisy. Glad you enjoyed the story!
No problem!
Linda, I love this! It certainly reminded me to ‘show, don’t tell’ and showed a very practical way to do so too! I enjoyed reading this. Well done, this is a great story.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks Marianna, this was really fun to write!
This was a fun read, Linda. In an absurd way, it shows the power of the mind. And it is also a good reminder not to try to make any short-cuts. Writing well isn’t an easy thing!
I agree Christer, taking the easy way rarely works in anything. I’m glad you found the story fun, I had fun writing it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations to the two of us, Linda, for our runner-up stories!
Didn’t we do well Christer! Will raise a glass to both of us!
Congratulations, Linda, on a well-deserved win. Love this brilliant story!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks so much Julie, it was a lovely surprise. And congratulations on the grand prize, very well deserved.
Congratulations, Linda.
Thank you Lotchie and for your earlier comment on my story. Always appreciated.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleYou’re always welcome.
Well done Linda, this is such a fun story, and definitely a writer’s nightmare.
Thanks Carrie, it’s definitely one of mine!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLinda, I love the humour in your story. It was fun to read. Congratulations on your win!
Thanks Marianna, it was good to write a fun story!
Congratulations, Linda, and thanks for your light-hearted response to the great prompt!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you Fuji, it was nice to write a more light-hearted story.
A wonderful story, Linda. As the Voice-team said it is a great example of showing, not telling and one we will remember. Sitting here chuckling – well done!
I’m glad it made you chuckle Sandra and thank you for your lovely comment.
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