Spoiler Alert: It’s not about playing charades with your readers.

You’ve probably heard it a million times: “Show, don’t tell.” And every time, a writer somewhere sighs deeply and wonders if they’re supposed to write a novel or direct a silent film. What does “Show, don’t tell” mean, exactly? And how do indie authors or content creators use it without turning every scene into a screenplay?

Never fear, storyteller, this post is here to pull back the curtain on one of writing’s most overused (and misunderstood) pieces of advice. And I promise, I won’t just tell you. I’ll show you. *wink wink*

What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Mean in Writing?

At its core, “show, don’t tell” in writing means helping readers experience your story through action, emotion, and vivid details, not just summarizing events or emotions. Here’s a “show, don’t tell” example:

Telling:
“Alex was angry.”
Okay, great. Alex was angry. So what? Who cares, right?

Showing:
“Alex slammed his mug on the table, splashing coffee across the counter. His jaw twitched as he glared at the phone screen.”
Same moment. More impact. One just tells you how Alex is feeling. The other makes you feel it!

Why It Matters

Readers don’t fall in love with summaries. They fall in love with characters they can see, hear, and feel. “Telling” is like watching a security cam replay. “Showing” puts the reader in the room, like a full-feature film. Whether you’re a fiction writer crafting emotionally charged scenes or a blogger building powerful content, learning to show, not tell, is key to writing content readers connect with.

When you “show”, emotions hit harder. Tension feels real. Pacing becomes immersive. And your story world comes alive!

But – Don’t Show Everything

Of course, there’s a plot twist. You shouldn’t always show.

Sometimes “telling” is faster and cleaner. When you’re transitioning time or summarizing boring but necessary information are good examples. Not every character needs a three-paragraph description of their eyebrow twitch.

Balance is key. Think of “telling” as a narration and “showing” as cinematography. You need both to direct a good story.

Need More Help Showing Without Overwriting? I Got You!

These storytelling tips apply to everything from self-published novels to compelling blog content on topics like self-help, sci-fi, or even astrology.

• Use Dialogue: Let your characters speak for themselves.
• Add Physical Reactions: A clenched fist, a dropped gaze, or a trembling hand.
• Engage the Senses: What do your characters hear, see, smell, or feel?
• Use Specific Verbs: “Stomped across the room” tells us more than “walked angrily.”

And something I use frequently in my writing is whenever I’m tempted to say “He was (insert emotion here)”, I ask myself: What would that look like? What is he doing in response to his emotions?

“Show, don’t tell” is about letting readers live in the moment, not just hear about it. Use action, description, and dialogue to bring your story to life. But don’t toss telling out completely. It’s still a trusty tool in your writer’s kit.

Do you need help finding the perfect balance in your manuscript? I specialize in turning “meh” into magic.

Hit me up here and reach out for a discovery call! Let’s turn your “telling” into storytelling that is pure magic!

Later Storytellers,
Summer, the Syntax Sorceress