Craft and structure
Understanding Showing vs. Telling in Fiction
It's common to grapple with showing versus telling, especially when trying to create vivid scenes or convey emotions effectively. Your desire to understand this difference is a crucial step in strengthening your storytelling craft. Many writers find this challenge a turning point in their writing journey.
Direct answer
Showing in fiction means creating scenes that allow readers to experience the story through sensory details, actions, and dialogue. It invites readers to draw their own conclusions about characters and events, making the story more immersive and emotionally resonant. For example, instead of saying "John was angry," showing would describe John's clenched fists or sharp tone.
Telling, on the other hand, summarizes or explains information directly to the reader. It can be useful for moving the plot along quickly or conveying background details, but overusing telling can distance readers from the immediacy of the story. It's a way to state facts plainly rather than inviting readers into the moment.
Balancing showing and telling is key. Not every moment needs detailed showing; some telling helps maintain pacing and clarity. The craft lies in choosing when to slow down for rich scenes and when to summarize efficiently. Working with a coach can help you identify these moments and strengthen your narrative flow.
What this looks like in practice
Early draft stage
Struggling to decide whether to write a scene in detail or summarize it.
The writer tends to tell most emotions and actions, resulting in flat scenes.
The writer learns to incorporate vivid sensory details and character reactions, making scenes more immersive.
Revision stage
Revising a draft that feels distant or rushed.
The manuscript contains many telling statements that reduce emotional impact.
The writer expands key moments with showing techniques, enriching character depth and reader connection.
Before querying or publishing
Preparing a manuscript to engage agents or readers effectively.
The writer is unsure if scenes are balanced between showing and telling.
The manuscript achieves a dynamic balance, with compelling scenes that show and clear passages that tell, enhancing overall pacing and appeal.
How Story Salon helps
At Story Salon, we help writers identify where their manuscript benefits from showing to deepen reader engagement and where telling keeps the story moving, tailoring guidance to your novel's unique needs.