18. Simplifying “show, don’t tell”

We’ve always been told to “show, don’t tell.” As such, we’ve become predisposed to want to show more, which is understandable because too much telling can feel dull and one-dimensional. But this predisposition is where writers can get lost. While showing feels like an intimate experience with the reader, sometimes it can also cause a scene to feel long and drawn out when it has little to do with the overall story. On the other hand, telling can feel too abrupt and possibly be a missed opportunity to expand on the plot or character development. I know how confusing this can be. That’s why I—your host, Erin P.T. Canning, a writer, editor, and mom of two—want to show you how to maximize these methods to elevate your writing.In this episode, you will learn exactly what showing and telling are, when to use them, and how to transition between the two. You will hear concrete yet simple examples of best-use cases, a detailed list of different ways to use telling, and a list of different types of showing. Making the distinction between showing and telling is the foundation to guiding your reader’s imagination into your world and eliciting the emotions needed for your reader to sink into the story. So tune in to this quick yet informative episode to learn about these methods and how to use them. Topics discussed in this episode: The difference between showing and tellingShould you show more than you tell?Examples of transitions between telling and showingWhen to use time in telling and showingWhen to show vs. tell in various scenarios with examplesConnect with Erin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinptcanning Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinptcanningSend us Fan MailREADY TO TAKE YOUR WRITING FURTHER? Join our Patreon community and access our vibrant Discord writing group to get writing prompts, participate in sprints, download free resources, and more: https://www.patreon.com/erinptcanningeditor