“Show, don’t tell.” As a fiction writer, you’ve heard this advice countless times. But what does it really mean in practice? And why do so many talented writers still struggle with it?
In my experience as an author and writing instructor, the answer is simple but profound: most writers don’t trust their readers enough.
The Hidden Problem Behind “Show, Don’t Tell”
Here’s a scenario I see regularly in my writing workshops:
A writer crafts a powerful piece of dialogue or action that perfectly illustrates a character’s emotions. Then, inexplicably, they follow it with explanatory text that spells out exactly what the reader should have understood.
For example:
“The deadline was Thursday, always Thursday,” he repeated, emphasizing his frustration with me. I was a slow student.
The repetition of “always Thursday” already communicates the character’s frustration. The explanation afterward assumes readers won’t pick up on this obvious emotional cue.
This “show, then tell” approach creates redundancy that:
- Slows your pacing
- Diminishes reader engagement
- Breaks the reader-writer contract
The Reader-Writer Partnership
When someone picks up your story, they enter into an unspoken agreement with you. Part of this contract is their commitment to actively engage with your text—interpreting characters’ motivations, reading between dialogue lines, and drawing their own conclusions.
When you over-explain, you’re breaking this contract by doing the reader’s job for them. You’re denying them the satisfaction of discovery that makes reading fiction rewarding.
Why Showing Works Better Than Telling
Consider the difference:
TELLING:
“She was uncomfortable with my question. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said nervously.”
SHOWING:
“She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her fingers tapped rapidly against her thigh. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said, her gaze fixed on a point just over my shoulder.”
The second example doesn’t explicitly state she’s uncomfortable, but readers understand this through physical cues. More importantly, they feel the satisfaction of figuring it out themselves.
The Problem Isn’t Just Technical—It’s Psychological
In my years teaching creative writing at Stanford and Harvard Extension, I’ve discovered that “show, don’t tell” difficulties aren’t just about technique—they’re about the writer’s confidence.
It takes courage to leave things implied rather than stated. It requires trust that your readers are intelligent partners in storytelling who don’t need everything spelled out.
Transform Your Writing in Four Weeks
This is exactly why I created my new course, “Show, Don’t Tell.” Over four focused weeks, I’ll help you:
- Week 1: Setting the Stage – Learn how to establish your story’s “Givens” without information dumps
- Week 2: Slowing Down – Discover when to expand moments for maximum impact without boring readers
- Week 3: Dynamic Verbs – Master the three verb types that instantly indicate whether your writing is showing or telling
- Week 4: Dialogue with Bodies – Blend speech with physical action so characters are seen, not just heard
Bridge the Gap Between Vision and Execution
If you’ve ever thought, “I can picture the scene perfectly in my head, but it doesn’t come across that way on the page,” this course is designed specifically for you.
You’ll learn to transform your mental images into vivid prose that plays just as clearly in your readers’ minds.
From Character Notes to Living, Breathing People
Many writers know their characters intimately—their backstories, motivations, and personalities—but struggle to show these qualities through action rather than explanation.
In this course, you’ll master the art of revealing character through behavior, so readers discover who your characters are instead of being told.
Special Limited-Time Offer
For a limited time, I’m offering a 30% discount for early enrollees who are willing to share their experience in a review after completing the course.
Use this link to claim your discount.
The techniques I share in this course are the same ones I’ve used in my bestsellers like Jack Wakes Up and The Maltese Jordans, and the same principles I teach at Stanford Continuing Studies and Harvard Extension School.
Are you ready to transform descriptions that readers skim into scenes they can’t look away from? To craft writing so immersive that readers forget they’re reading words on a page?
CLICK HERE TO ENROLL WITH 30% OFF
Seth Harwood earned an MFA in Fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and has published ten books, including bestsellers Jack Wakes Up, In Broad Daylight, and Everyone Pays. His most recent work is The Maltese Jordans, the tale of the world’s rarest pair of kicks.
