Show and Tell

You know what critics say that always gets my blood boiling? Show don’t tell. While there is a modicum of truth to this statement, it’s simultaneously some of the worst advice you can give an up and coming author; the inverse is almost as bad. The problem with this advice is that’s it’s too vague. I don’t know if you realized this, but a story is 100% telling. It turns out the reader can’t actually see what’s going on.

I know what those that flout this statement mean is to describe your characters experiencing the world instead of just describing your world. The problem with this is that it’s not always a catch all statement. Sometimes you should just describe your world. The best stories always have a balance of showing and telling. What matters more then whether you show or tell, is how well it’s written and how it’s integrated into the story. I do also think that genre has a role to play in this argument. For example, fantasy and science fiction stories naturally might need a little more telling, whereas mysteries and thrillers might need a bit more showing.

Having said all this, there is a benefit to describing your world through your characters experiencing it. This can make the world feel more realistic and grounded, and help your characters to feel more three dimensional. The problem with this is that often times people read books to disengage with reality, especially fantasy and science fiction. I personally love these genres because I can escape to another world. Sometimes what’s more important than how you describe your world, is how well crafted the world is in the first place.

Another example of showing versus telling is in the character’s action. Again, I think a balance needs to be struck here. No one wants to read a story where every minute emotion that a character feels is described in agonizing detail. On the other hand, no one wants to read a story where the author just flat out says what the character is feeling or experiencing. The balance between these two extremes changes depending on what type of story you are writing, and what emotions you are trying to elicit from your readers.

I understand that authors will continue to elevate showing over telling, but if you truly want to create a tale that will last for the ages, then a balance must be struck between the two. And if anyone ever asks you to critique their novel, don’t just respond with “show don’t tell.” Explain how they should change their descriptions, where they should have the characters interacting with the world, and where they should just describe their world. Never let this simple statement overwhelm you, and as always, happy writing out there.