Writing Tutorials - #12 Show, Don't Tell!

[MythicalGryphon1]

I agree, this is really hard to explain. I still don't get it. I mean, I get what you're saying, but I'm not sure how to show and when showing is better than telling, and vice-versa.

[BlueUncia]

Many professional authors still do this, unfortunately. I can stomach purple prose and even author pets, but please show don't tell! Ah well, at least they've still gotten themselves published, so I can respect them for that.

[NearSupporter11226]

AAH! NO! DON'T SHOW THE SCOTTISH PLAY! MY PLAY STARTS NEXT WEEK! IT WILL BE DOOMED! DOOMED I TELL YOU! DOOMED! *has a meltdown for 4-6 hours* Good video as always though, I hope I don't die on stage. *shivers and knocks on wood*

[paladindragoongirl18]

I'm not saying I disagree with you Writer but I think that showing too much will.....bore the reader. Of course you do need to show in order for the reader to convey emotions, but I see telling as more of a cut-to-the-point.

[WriterfromNowhere]

@paladindragoongirl18 Oh, I agree there! I've learned much more since making this video and realised it's not possible to show ALL the time. Yes, it will bore the reader if it is overused, as will too much telling.

[paladindragoongirl18]

@WriterfromNowhere I have heard LoTR is too descriptive and that Tolkien describes everything in immense detail.

[nekonya96]

A benefit of showing versus telling; you feel the emotion the character is feeling because showing it sets the mood of a specific part of the story.

[muskndusk]

The example you give of showing is, in fact, telling. Showing would be the inclusion of scenes where the relationship breaks down followed by scenes of her unhappiness, followed by a later scene in which she's happy with the dog.

[WriterfromNowhere]

@muskndusk Holy crap, you're right! Well, we all make mistakes. :P

[kalpurus]

Is it possible to apply the "Show, Don't Tell" concept everywhere?? For example, how would you show and not tell the concept of "Writer From Nowhere"??

[WriterfromNowhere]

Well, it only applies to certain areas, writing being one of them. I could only show you I was the Writer from Nowhere by drawing a writer typing in nowhere, I suppose...

Is that what you mean?

[kalpurus]

Do you think "Show, Don't Tell" should be used everywhere??...or should there be a balance between "Show, Don't Tell" and "Tell, Don't Show"??

[WriterfromNowhere]

Show as much as you can, but when you reach a point where you can't, then just tell. It doesn't have to be used all the time, but is definately better writing.

[ih8makinusernames]

@kalpurus The trick is finding the perfect balance between these four modes:

Narration(tell),Description(sh­ow),Summarization(Tell), Exposition (Tell). It is possible to write out everything in the Descriptive form, but this will lengthen your book significantly. If a seen would hoenstly be better told, than too so using which ever of the three remaining devices work best.

[paladindragoongirl18]

@ih8makinusernames And don't forget direct characterization (tell) and indirect characterization (show). Writing imagery is also what you would call "showing."

[kalpurus]

Would you pls clarify the concept of "Assisted Telling"?

[Tprinces]

example: saying someone's dangerous as apposed to showing someone's dangerous

[WriterfromNowhere]

Exactamondo! :P By saying somebody is holding a knife and staring at you with a murderous glint in their eyes, we already know they're dangerous, without the author having to even mention the word.

Bad example: "I'm dangerous, stay away!" Lol!

[Nightmare060]

Great video! very clear. I think I've started to grasp more and more the show over tell concept. Describing a characters emotions and reactions to situations, as you presented here, is a nice way of learning the concept for a wider variaty of situations.

[WriterfromNowhere]

Really? Phew! That's a relief, I was worried this one wouldn't seem very clear. :P

And yeah, i think I need to grasp this concept a bit more. However, during your first draft I don't think its important to think about, only when you edit it to make it sound better.

[Nightmare060]

Hehe, will I'm a perfectionist. So getting the showing over telling right is something that often ends up in writers block for me XD.

[WriterfromNowhere]

Lol! You should see the first draft of my novel. I'm embarrassed to even look at it. Sooo much telling...