Tell, Don't Show

Wait, what?

I promise, I'm not here to confuse you.

There are tons of articles on the most popular advice for creative writing that is 'Show, Don't Tell,' and rightfully so. I absolutely support and share the same advice.

Writers the world over know that showing is better than telling. But they also know that a good story includes some telling.

This is what I want to address. There is need for telling occasionally, and you can do it without disappointing the reader or feeling badly about shirking your responsibilities as a storyteller!

So . . . when?

 Sometimes characters need a break to think or withdraw for a moment. Time keeps moving on and many events in a character’s life are not vital to the story. Sometimes it’s better to tell readers about these things. 

Telling is sometimes called "summary mode." It’s best used sparingly to tell readers what happens. When overused, it distances the reader from the viewpoint character’s goals and actions . . . and it’s boring. 

It’s best to keep telling limited to a few paragraphs, or in some (extremely) rare cases, a short chapter. Too much telling often leads to author intrusion. 

5 Examples of When to Tell (Instead of Show): 

1. To connect scenes, introduce characters, and/or provide the outline of unnecessary conversations. 

Sometimes there is need to keep readers comfortable with a brief transition to help them know where they are in the story. For instance:

• An appearance of a character where showing could distract from the importance of the scene

• Characters have traveled to another city or moved to a different room
• A short period of time has passed

 Example: 

‘Cal waited five minutes past opening time the next morning before he marched into the museum. He had spent the night obsessing about his future. Jess’s demands echoed in his head; he could barely think straight. He walked to the admissions counter and asked the attendant to call the curator’s office.’ 

2. To report events and/or briefly mention unimportant characters. 

Tell about things that happened in characters’ lives that aren’t vitally important to show in the story. 

For example, if the story is set in a school environment, briefly tell how characters spent their Christmas holidays. 

Avoid introducing a series of characters who have nothing to do with the main story. 

3. To show time is passing. 

Books can span days or decades. Readers don’t need to know what happens in every moment of passing time. Use telling to reveal periods of time passing, seasons changing, or people aging to get readers to the next important part of the story. 

4. To focus on emotion when showing is impossible. 

Sometimes a character is so isolated or immobile that there is need to get into their emotions with telling, but make sure to move them back into the action of the story as soon as possible. 

5. To add backstory. 

Sometimes a little bit of telling is necessary. When there is no other way of introducing the past, add it in, but remember to reveal these parts gradually. Keep them as brief as possible and remember to avoid starting a novel or a memoir with backstory.

I hope I've provided a little more insight for guidelines on how to apply showing and telling in the quest for ultimate reader enjoyment.

Being a storyteller is no easy feat. You certainly have my admiration and endless thanks.

Remember: You're amazing! Keep those stories coming. (Please.)