Writers often have different definitions of “showing” and “telling.” I define “telling” as any moment in the story where an important moment lacks depth in terms of detail or narrative voice. However, telling can also be a great tool for controlling the pace of the story and conveying important information.
In this video, I'll explore the origins of this advice and why "showing" appeals to audiences on an emotional level. Using examples from popular works and tips from published authors, I'll outline six strategies you can use to produce stronger writing:
1. Use evidence to support your claims.
2. Replace the abstract with the concrete.
3. Replace vague descriptions with specific sensory details.
4. Avoid relying too much on body language.
5. Show your emotions through dialogue.
6. Filter observations through the narrative voice.
You can read a text version of this video on Medium: https://quotidianwriter.medium.com/how-to-show-not-tell-the-complete-writing-guide-45cb72f02541
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Behind the scenes notes from this video: https://www.ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-How-to-Show-Not-Tell-C0C32BTG3
My published stories and poems: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/my-writing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuotidianWriter
Title and ending music:
“Clockwork” by Vindsvept – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v9Zl4EGLoiI8&t83s
Background music by Vindsvept:
“Enlighten”
" The fairies "
“Wild Glade”
"Refuge"
“The Forgotten Forest”
“Lake of Light”
“Winter Day”
SOURCES
“Clues to a Great Story” TED Talk by Andrew Stanton:
https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_stanton_the_clues_to_a_great_story#t-393892
“Creative Writing and the New Humanities” by Paul Dawson:
https://books.google.com/books?idr2NNKUlOAXUC&printsecfrontcover&sourcegbs_ge_summary_r&cad0#vonepage&qflaubert%20onward&ffalse
“The Craft of Fiction” by Percy Lubbock:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18961/18961-h/18961-h.htm
“Nuts and Bolts: “Thought” Verbs” by Chuck Palahniuk:
https://litreactor.com/essays/chuck-palahniuk/nuts-and-bolts-“thought”-verbs
Novel writing help blog by Harvey Chapman:
https://www.novel-writing-help.com/prose-writing.html#sthash.byLAq4vA.dpuf
“How Fiction Writers Can Show Their Characters’ Emotions Effectively” by Robin Patchen:
^
“Show, Don’t Tell: What You Need to Know” by Jerry Jenkins:
https://jerryjenkins.com/show-dont-tell/
Gail Carson Levine's blog:
https://gailcarsonlevine.com/blog/2017/02/01/lachrymose-lugubriousness/
Delilah Dawson Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/DelilahSDawson/status/1086657712518299650
Stewie writes:
http://www.stewiewrites.com
Other interesting literary examples on Reedsy:
https://blog.reedsy.com/show-dont-tell/
“Getting the Show, Don’t Tell It: (And Really Getting It)” by Janice Hardy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0BE4UP/refdp-kindle-redirect?_encodingUTF8&btkr1
“The Emotions Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression” by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MTQ7W6Q/refx_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ieUTF8&tagx_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCodeas2&camp1789&creative9325&creativeASINB07MTQ7W6Q&SubscriptionId1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Introduction (0:00)
The origins of /"Show, don't tell/" (3:53)
1. Use evidence to support your claims (5:38)
2. Replace the abstract with the concrete (7:20)
3. Replace vague descriptions with details (10:09)
4. Avoid relying too much on body language (12:09)
5. Show your emotions through dialogue (15:32)
6. Filtering observations through the narrative voice (17:51)
Summary (21:51)
Writing exercise (26h00)
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