Question From An Author: Show Don't Tell

We have all been yelled at about this issue at one time or another. We need to show the reader what is going on and not simply telling us what is going on. Where a lot of authors struggle with this is their desire to "keep the story moving." They are afraid of taking up too much time to get a point across to the reader. As a result, they simply start telling us what is going on.

It is easier to think of this if we look at different scenarios.

We can say that character is really driven and intelligent. That's telling. But how else could we do this? At this point the author has to think about what those characteristics would look like if we saw that character in real life. The odds are, there is not a single sign that says "driven and intelligent" but let's walk into the office of this person. What would we see:

• multiple diplomas on the wall of distinguished universities. 
• books on the shelf that are not simple easy reads. 
• a schedule that shows a full busy day 
• that schedule with clear goals for each of those meetings.

When we hear this person talk, what will we hear?

• attention to detail
• a frustration over people happy with mediocrity
• vocabulary and sentence structure that shows intelligence
• an ability to see things that are not even close to being obvious to everyone else

This is the showing piece. 

Most of this can be done in single sentences or small paragraphs. It doesn't require lengthy narratives because when an author starts doing that, he or she falls back into the telling and not showing problem. 

Now, is there any problem with telling and not showing. Absolutely not. If there is a need, use it! This is often a great way to keep the story moving. Just remember to stop it and move on.