Writing A Novel: Show, Don't Tell.

"Show, don't tell," is one of the most common forms of feedback that new writers get, but it can be confusing.

Consider this example.
"I'm angry with you," Jane said.
Jane is telling us what she's feeling.
You could show this instead with:
Jane slammed the mug down, the coffee spilling over the side and staining the table. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
That is showing anger, without telling us that Jane is angry.

Another common issue is reporting what happened through texts/emails/letters or reported speech.

Showing, not telling will make your writing more vivid and the reader will find themselves mirroring the experience of the character and be immersed in your story.

Obviously, you need to tell sometimes, but if your writing is flat - then maybe you need some showing :)

[MandiLynnWrites]

When I go through round two edits I love fixing my show, don't tell spots. Improves the novel 100x over!

[melodine]

To see really great examples of "show" read any of her books. I just took an undersea dive in the Mediterranean with her latest book, 'The Dark Queen'.

[MeganChynthiaDewi]

A begginer writer here, thanks for the explanations. 😊

[johnparnham]

I write middle grade books. I wonder how much children can deduce the undercurrents that show don't tell implies.

[AuthorpreneurPodcast]

This is a great tip on how to avoid telling in fiction through the characters actions. Thanks 😃📝

[ShanaJahsintaWalters]

Show, Don't Tell reminds me of sell the sizzle not the stake. Yet no one really explains to you what the term really means. Thanks Joann.

[johnparnham]

This is my Achilles heel. I struggle with this all the time.

[BlackMasterJoe]

I understand the concept of "show, don't tell." My issue is me trying to show everything and that can be a bit of a drag to read.

[apriltaylor]

As always, great information. It is so easy to slip into telling.

[ELTUncovered-Steven]

That’s a great tip. Thank you very much.

[miguela.wilder]

Great work, awesome info, and thanks for all the eye-opening videos. You mentioned jumping to a new scene. Can you tell me, or do a video on the different scene breaks? What’s the most current one? I’ve been told to use 3 dots, a double space, an asterisk, and someone used a capital “C”. Not sure about that one. Unless it meant something else LOL.

Thanks for your time.

[RichardRenton]

Why 'sophisticated readers....now'? Were we not smart, way back when?