The cardinal rule of writing imaginatively is the use of 'show don't tell.' Read the following:
Angela was very nervous about the forthcoming interview.
Compare it with:
"Angela Jameson!" called an efficient looking woman in a dark suit and a crisp white shirt; in her immaculately manicured hand was a clipboard.
" That's me!" replied Angela and stood up hastily, dropping her handbag which spilled its contents onto the carpet. The efficient woman stood and watched as Angela crawled about on her hands and knees gathering up her possessions.
"Not a good start!" Angela muttered to herself as she stuffed a lipstick, comb, purse and fluff-covered mint back into her bag. She had been keeping the sweet to moisten her dry mouth and calm her churning stomach but now she would have to manage without it. She wiped her clammy hands on her skirt which suddenly seemed far too short; surreptitiously she peeped into the windows to check her reflection, convinced that her hair was tangled and messy.
Use your imagination to build up a scenario around these phrases remembering to show the emotion or action rather than just telling the reader what's happened.
1. It was Craig's first day at school and he really didn't want to go.
2. Sarah was old and frail and took a long time to answer the door bell.
3. DeeCee was 17 and hated everybody except his friends.
