"Show, Don't Tell"

[AuntShecky]

What do writing instructors mean when they tell us to "Show, don't tell" in our efforts at fiction?

First, we have to dial back our "literal" minds a bit. When we're writing a descriptive or persuasive essay or some other piece of non-fiction, our purpose is indeed "to communicate." To that aim, the most important quality is clarity.

But in fiction, we are trying to create a work of art. This requires not so much point-by-point literalism and straight narrative structure -- "telling" -- but a certain use of craft. By that I mean we don't necessarily have to proceed from point A to point B as in non-fiction to unfold the plot. We don't have to say "First this happened and then this happened." We don't have to "tell."

Instead fiction is subtle and more nuanced. The story unfolds through what the characters do and what they say -- action and dialogue. Instead of "telling"the author is showing.

One example that comes to mind is a short story by Stephen Crane.
http://www.online-literature.com/crane/2544/

He could have begun "The Open Boat" with a long explanation-- or a mundane who-what-where-when-why sort of newspaper account -- of how the men arrived in their predicament, a history of each character (although there is a brief flashback or two later in the story), families left back home, etc., etc. Nor does Crane start the story with a mundane explanation: "Well, the men all had their heads down, so busily rowing that they couldn't stop and look around, yaddah-yaddah." Instead, he tells us everything we need to know about what the story will show us in the very first sentence:
"No one knew the color of the sky."

And you will note throughout the story, the author SHOWS us how the sailors are faring. As the captain says: " 'Do you think We've got much of a show now, boys?' said he."

(Yes, we do, indeed.)

[Granny5]

This is such a good explaination. Thanks, Auntie.
Maybe this old brain will learn a thing or two after all.

[Virgil]

What do writing instructors mean when they tell us to "Show, don't tell" in our efforts at fiction?

First, we have to dial back our "literal" minds a bit. When we're writing a descriptive or persuasive essay or some other piece of non-fiction, our purpose is indeed "to communicate." To that aim, the most important quality is clarity.


Absolutely Aunty. I have always said if an author was trying to communicate an abstract idea, he wouldn't have written a poem or a story. He would just have written an essay.

[mosimo]

I know that many times in my writing i get to desciptive of details rather than focusing on the fact that I am telling a story. Thanx for the advise.

[kelby_lake]

I get pressured into using too many adjectives and describing the boring things.

[DickZ]

Thanks, Auntie. This is a very helpful explanation of something you've been saying for quite a while. I don't think I ever really understood what you meant, but with this piece I think I'm beginning to understand.

I would have voted, but I got here too late - after the polls closed. I'll try to do better on November 4 - or is it November 6?

I've been away from the internet for a few days, which is actually a pretty good thing to do every now and then.

[waryan]

Great explanation this was quite helpful, thank you

[Emil Miller]

Thanks for the clarification Aunt Schecky. I recently managed to interest an agent in my second novel and he was good enough to say that it was well written, but he also said it lacked narrative tension; saying that I should`Show not tell.`
I was genuinly greatful for his advice, particularly as it came from a man and not, as so often happens with agents these days, one of those women employees who are responsible for the bookstores being infested with swarms of brightly coloured`Chick lit.`
However, I was somewhat puzzled about the phrase until I read your explanation and now I can see exactly what he meant.