SHOW, DON’T TELL: The art of the story

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I don’t write fiction professionally.  But I sure read a lot of it.  And I enjoy the ones that subscribe to the principle of “show, don’t tell” because aside from getting a story with all its twists and turns, I sort of get a movie theater experience.  I see the scenes and the characters “moving” purposefully in them.  The beginning Ilocano writers, or any writer for that matter, especially those minimally exposed to the theories of fiction writing will do well if they develop the art of showing–creating neatly woven scenes to convey a story–instead of straightforward narrating as on the evening news.

Here’s what some successful writers have to say on the subject:

Robert Sawyer:

“First, what’s the difference between the two? Well, “telling” is the reliance on simple exposition: Mary was an old woman. “Showing,” on the other hand, is the use of evocative description: Mary moved slowly across the room, her hunched form supported by a polished wooden cane gripped in a gnarled, swollen-jointed hand that was covered by translucent, liver-spotted skin.

Both showing and telling convey the same information — Mary is old — but the former simply states it flat-out, and the latter — well, read the example over again and you’ll see it never actually states that fact at all, and yet nonetheless leaves no doubt about it in the reader’s mind.

Why is showing better? Two reasons. First, it creates mental pictures for the reader. When reviewers use terms like “vivid,” “evocative,” or “cinematic” to describe a piece of prose, they really mean the writer has succeeded at showing, rather than merely telling.

Second, showing is interactive and participatory: it forces the reader to become involved in the story, deducing facts (such as Mary’s age) for himself or herself, rather than just taking information in passively.”  Click here for the full article.

Dennis G. Herz:

“Don’t just tell me your brother is funny… show me what he says and does, and let me decide whether I want to laugh. To convince your readers, show, don’t just tell them what you want them to know.

There.  I’ve just told you something.  Pretty lame, huh? Now, let me show you…..

“Writing is emotionally powerful when it engages the reader. Rather than classify and list all the emotions that you felt, use specific details that give the reader a reason to feel the emotions you want to express…..

“Showing” involves more than a long list of adjectives.

Sometimes students misinterpret what I mean by “showing.”  They put all kinds of adjectives in their writing, describing everything from the color of the wallpaper to the shape of their own legs, regardless of whether such details actually advance the story.

The point of “showing” is not to drown the reader in a sea of details. Instead, you should pick out only those details that matter.

Does the detail help establish or intensify the mood? Does it define a character? Clarify an action?”  Click here for the full article.

Sandy Tritt:

“You can’t tell us someone is a wonderful person, a talented musician or a spoiled child.  We won’t believe you.  You must show us.  Throughout your manuscript, look for any opportunity to show us in real time, to act out, to let us feel.  The difference will amaze you.”  Click here for the full article.

Daniel Scocco:

“While “telling” can be useful, even necessary, most people don’t realize how vital “showing” is to an effective story, essay, or even a blog post. Showing allows the reader to follow the author into the moment, to see and feel and experience what the author has experienced. Using the proper balance of showing and telling will make your writing more interesting and effective.”  Click here for the full article.

Barbara Dawson Smith:

“Telling” is a way of conveying facts to the reader–the wrong way.  The right way is to “show” information through the use of action, dialogue, and the five senses…..” Click here for the full article.

Jay Braiman:

“The single best piece of advice I ever got as a writer was when I took a fiction writing workshop in college and the professor, Dr. Markus, said, “Don’t tell me, show me.”  Don’t tell me the character is angry, show me that the character is angry.  Don’t tell me that the character lives in Detroit, show me that the character lives in Detroit…..”  Click here for the full article.

After all, it’s your job as the writer to craft your story to ENTERTAIN me.  Nothing less.