Show, Don’t Tell!

“Show, don’t tell,” article by M.W. Wolf.

Let me know what you think? Feedback muchly appreciated. Also, if anybody would like a useful article on how to “Show, don’t tell,” which I got from a literary consultant, please let me know and I’ll share it.

As we are on the topic of Show, don’t tell, which was probably inevitable, I’ll just put it out there, I think at times it can be limiting and detrimental, if overused, or if it inhibits the story from moving along. I think you have to get “on” Show, don’t tell to get “over” Show, don’t tell. I think trying too hard to “Show” can, at times, point to a lack of authority and confidence. Writing is about communicating to your readers. If your readers are into flowery prose, then take a whole page to say the sky is blue. If your readers are not, then say the sky is blue.

The time readers have to read, and attention spans are changing. Lately I’ve read accomplished authors such as Stephen King in Bill Summers and Lars Kepler in The Mirror Man, both written in the present tense, just bypass Show, don’t tell, and call a spade a spade, by both stating emotions rather than showing. They both say she/ he was anxious. We all know how horrible it is to feel anxiety, thus the word it’s self holds power. Directness can be deep because readers inherently understand the weight of such emotions.

"Show, don't tell" is a valuable tool in a writer's arsenal, but like any tool, it can be overused. While it encourages vivid and immersive storytelling, it shouldn't inhibit the narrative flow or obscure the message. Effective writing is ultimately about clear communication. It's important to master "Show, don't tell" but also to know when to set it aside.

I’m not saying not to use Show, don’t tell. I’m saying get on it, get control of it, get over it. What is more important is to communicate with the reader. It’s more important that you do you, then you mimic Show, don’t tell. Your unique voice should take precedence over rigid adherence to any single rule. Everything in writing is subjective, so you do you.

I do me. Well I don’t, I do M.W. Wolf, he’s a different breed that one. Haha.