Understanding the “Show Don’t Tell” Rule (With Examples … And Exceptions)
Understanding the “Show Don’t Tell” Rule (With Examples … And Exceptions)
This post was first published in February 2012 and extensively updated in April 2024.
One of the most common pieces of writing advice is show, don’t tell.
It’s a neat little phrase. But you might wonder what exactly the “show don’t tell” rule means, and why it matters. After all, you’re telling a story … is that so bad? And what does it look like when you’re showing vs telling?
We’re going to dig deep into what the “show don’t tell” rule means, when to follow it (and when not to), and how authors use both showing and telling effectively in their work.
Five Tips to Help You Rewrite Your Story After Beta Reader or Editor Feedback
Five Tips to Help You Rewrite Your Story After Beta Reader or Editor Feedback
When you get feedback from your beta reader(s) or from your editor, chances are, you’ll have some mixed emotions.
Before you even open their email, you might be feeling excited, but also daunted; intensely curious about what they have to say, but also perhaps exhausted and not sure you’re ready to dive into rewrites.
Hopefully, the feedback will give you a new perspective on your work, while also confirming the things that you felt were working well (or the things you knew weren’t quite there yet).
So how can you best engage with your beta reader or editor’s feedback and incorporate it into your next round of rewrites?
Here are some key things to remember.
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Can You Call Yourself a “Writer” if You’re Not Currently Writing?
The Three Stages of Editing (and Nine Handy Do-it-Yourself Tips)
What to Do When Your Writing Goals Seem a Long Way Off
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