This is about making your readers feel like they’re in the scene, not just reading about it. It's the difference between telling them what’s happening and letting them experience it. Think of it like the difference between reading a script and watching a movie.

Why Should You Care?
Because your readers care. They want to be transported into your world, not lectured about it. Telling can make your writing feel flat and uninspiring. Showing breathes life into your story, making it vivid and engaging.

How to Show, Not Tell: The Basics

• Use Sensory Details
  Don’t just tell us the forest is spooky. Show us by describing the twisted trees, the rustling leaves, and the distant hoot of an owl. Engage all the senses. How does the air smell? What does the ground feel like underfoot?
  • Tell: The forest was scary.
  • Show: The gnarled branches reached out like skeletal fingers, and the air was thick with the scent of decay.
• Action Speaks Louder Than Words
  A character’s actions can reveal their feelings better than any amount of telling. Instead of saying, “John was nervous,” show his hands trembling or him biting his lip.
  • Tell: John was nervous.
  • Show: John’s hands trembled as he fumbled with the keys, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.
• Dialogue with a Purpose
  Dialogue can be a goldmine for showing. People don’t usually announce their emotions; they show them through what they say and how they say it. Use dialogue to reveal character and motivation and to advance the plot.
  • Tell: Sarah was angry at Tom.
  • Show: “Tom, you promised you’d be here on time!” Sarah’s voice was sharp, her eyes blazing with frustration.
• Internal Monologue
  Sometimes, you do need to get into your character’s head. But do it in a way that shows their thought process rather than telling their emotions directly. Let us see their doubts, their rationalisations, and their fears.
  • Tell: Emma felt sad.
  • Show: Emma stared at the empty seat across the table, her mind replaying the laughter that used to fill the space.

How to Show, Not Tell: Advanced Techniques

• Metaphors and Similes
  These can paint a picture without lengthy descriptions. They make your writing more vivid and imaginative.
  • Tell: The night was dark.
  • Show: The night was black as ink, swallowing every star in its sprawling emptiness.
• Body Language
  Subtle cues in body language can convey a wealth of information about your characters' emotions and intentions.
  • Tell: He was angry.
  • Show: His jaw clenched, and his knuckles whitened.
• Subtext
  What’s not said is just as important as what is. Use subtext to show underlying tension or hidden feelings.
  • Tell: They were uncomfortable.
  • Show: They exchanged quick, uneasy glances, their conversation punctuated by awkward silences.

Practice Makes Perfect
Like any skill, showing instead of telling gets easier with practice. Rewrite telling sentences as showing ones. Read authors who are masters at showing and analyse their techniques. And most importantly, don’t stress too much about getting it perfect every time. Writing is a journey; every word brings you closer to mastering your craft.

The Bottom Line
“Show, don’t tell” transforms your writing from bland to brilliant. It draws readers in and keeps them hooked, living and breathing your story. So next time you catch yourself telling, take a step back, dig deeper, and let your readers see, hear, and feel the world you’ve created. 

Happy writing, and remember: if all else fails, throw in a metaphor about the night being as dark as your editor’s soul. Works every time!