“Show Don’t Tell” Made Simple

“Show” Don’t Tell is one of the most annoying writing rules. I get it. Trust me, I do. I’ve got a different way of looking at it, and I think you might like it.

When I do consultations, there’s one question I get asked a lot.

“People always say ‘show don’t tell’, but what does that mean?”

Instead of talking in circles, let me hit you with my main talking point— Your reader isn’t stupid. Don’t explain things that don’t need to be explained. Reinforce what they’re naturally feeling from reading your story.

Don’t freak out! Here’s what I mean by that.

If you write the sentence “Her eyes widened in fear,” (Any emotion, really. It’s whatever floats your boat.)

That’s not how you need to word that sentence, because the context around that statement has already told your reader how to feel. It’s your job to show/reinforce that the character is feeling those same feelings, because the character is actively reacting to the stimulus that made the reader feel that way.

If the character is supposed to be scared, have her perform actions that show she’s scared. Is she tearing up? Are her hands trembling?

You don’t need to say, “Her eyes widened in fear.” You just need to say “Her eyes widened.”

Sentences like that will have more impact than just telling them what the character is feeling.

You don’t need to reiterate the emotions the reader is feeling. They got that. You have to reinforce those emotions with action from the character.

Let’s try something else.

Instead of saying, “She started to feel warmer”, you are going to go into how she shows she’s feeling hotter. Does she take off a jacket? Does she billow her shirt to get some air on her skin? This will indicate she’s feeling a way without you having to say it. This will also aid in your writing not sounding so robotic.

So, one more time for the people in the back!

Your reader isn’t stupid. Don’t over explain. Reinforce.

Get me? Cool beans!

Happy writing!