What’s the difference between showing and telling in novel writing? | Revise and Refine

If you’ve ever taken a creative writing course, you have probably been admonished at least once to “show, don’t tell.” But, what does that even mean? What’s the difference between showing and telling, and why does it matter?

Showing and telling are two different ways of conveying information in creative writing. Telling refers to when the author simply tells the reader what is happening or what a character is feeling, without showing it through actions, dialogue, or description. For example, “Tessa was angry” is a statement that tells the reader how Tessa is feeling without showing any evidence of her anger.

Showing, on the other hand, is when the author uses descriptive language, actions, and dialogue to demonstrate what is happening or what a character is feeling. For example, “Tessa’s fists clenched, and her face turned red as she shouted at him” is an example of showing, as it paints a vivid picture of Tessa’s anger through her actions and behavior.

Showing is generally considered to be more effective in creative writing as it allows the reader to experience the story and characters in a more immersive way than telling can achieve. Showing helps create a more vivid and engaging reading experience as the reader is able to visualize the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. Telling can be used effectively in certain situations, such as for summarizing information or conveying information quickly, but it should be used sparingly to avoid creating a distant and detached narrative.

Is it ever okay to tell instead of showing in fiction writing? Yes! Telling can help move the story forward without bogging it down in unnecessary description. It can also help maintain pacing during transitions and offer insight into a character’s internal thoughts or background in a concise way. In these cases, telling serves as a valuable tool to balance narrative flow and ensure the focus remains on key moments.

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Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.