This morning I lost my voice. All yesterday I could feel it faltering and I knew it was just a matter of time. So, here I am voiceless and the only person home to wish myself a Merry Christmas. Don't misunderstand, I'm not feeling sad or whining. I'm busy wrapping presents and cooking dinner to take over to my sister's house this afternoon.

Anyway, what does all this have to do with writing? The voice, the very thing you most depend on for communication. Think of it, all that you can do with a voice. Words on paper can't show mood as easily and effectively as a words spoken. Of course, all communication has the possibility of being completely misunderstood. But, it's much harder to misunderstand something you see and hear live and in person.

How do you bring that to paper? What can you do to establish tone of voice, inflections on certain words and the mood of the writer/ character? Writing, "Joe was angry", is more telling than showing. You're a writer, you're creative, right? You can do better.

"Joe suddenly shoved all the papers off his desk. Watching them fall to the floor, his eyes gleamed, they looked so non-threatening down there. Nothing he couldn't stomp all over. But, those were just papers, it was the people behind the papers who really mattered. He gathered the papers. Sitting down at his desk, Joe put his head in his hands and began reading the income tax form."

Actions speak louder than words.