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Writing

mainer

(12,324 posts)

10. "Show, don't tell" is really about portraying emotions, I think.

Reply to DavidDvorkin (Reply #9)

Mon Aug 18, 2014, 08:36 PM

Aug 2014

Tell: "John was griefstricken."

vs.

Show: "John rocked back and forth, shaking, choking back sobs."

I think that show v tell rule is for newbies who waste too much time telling us that Mary is a mean old woman, rather than showing us her interactions with her neighbors.

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Show don't tell [View all] CrispyQ Aug 2014 OP

I think there's some good stuff here Brainstormy Aug 2014 #1

Your last sentence made me laugh but is very true. CrispyQ Aug 2014 #3

I find much modern popular fiction to be far too screenplay-like Orrex Aug 2014 #2

Oh I agree. I'm not throwing 'show don't tell' out. CrispyQ Aug 2014 #4

and see . . . Brainstormy Aug 2014 #5

In general, most new writers really do need to learn to show not tell. SheilaT Aug 2014 #6

A friend gave me the book, "Techniques of the Selling Writer" CrispyQ Aug 2014 #7

I am not familiar with that book. SheilaT Aug 2014 #8

It's a silly rule DavidDvorkin Aug 2014 #9

"Show, don't tell" is really about portraying emotions, I think. mainer Aug 2014 #10

Good example. Thank you. Lilyhoney Sep 2014 #11

I enjoyed your blog. I will be back, Thanks. nt Lilyhoney Sep 2014 #12

Isn't Show Don't Tell a Tell? It's telling us not to tell, not showing us valerief Sep 2014 #13