Show Vs. Tell

Both have their merits, but which is better?

Often, writers will press Show. Show—Show—Show. But what about Tell? Telling can be just as constructive in getting your point across, maybe more so.

Showing offers the reader a visceral experience, living in the character’s shoes; while Telling allows for metaphors and ideas that may be difficult to express physically. Sometimes, we want to be flowery with our language, and sometimes, we want explosive action and cutting dialog. We want to see that wide-eyed fear in our hero’s gaze or hear his inner thoughts. See the irony, the sacrifice; his analogies on what his story amounts to.

A good story, in my opinion, has balanced both Show and Tell. But, I have also liked stories that are almost all Show or all Tell. There isn’t an unbreakable rule that states you can’t ever Tell. The people that believe in this faulty Show Don't Tell rule may curse your career as a novelist and belittle your efforts (and unleash a hoard of Boggarts to roast your plot bunnies and hogtie your Muse in barbed wire upon breaking this fictional rule).

What matters is how you feel as the author of your story. Show and Tell both contribute to your style as a writer. Do as you see fit. Never let someone shake their finger and admonish your efforts, chide you for stepping outside the norm. Writing is all about discovery, experimentation, and expressing yourself as an artist.

Gothic Romance author Mary Stuart is one great example of balance between Show and Tell. Her allegories are beautiful while her action crackles. I recommend her book The Moonspinners for high action, suspense, and a study in Show and Tell.     

Read up on each approach then pick and choose the aspects that you like. You have a unique voice. Let that voice be heard.

So tell me, how do you feel about it?

Thank you for reading!