“Show, don’t tell” is a writing technique that allows readers to experience a story through actions, thoughts, and feelings, rather than through the author’s description. It’s used in many types of creative writing, including novels.
How it works
Show, don’t tell: Uses sensory details and actions to create a more immersive experience for the reader
Telling: Uses factual descriptions that avoid detail
Showing: Uses detailed descriptions that place the reader at the center of the story

Benefits
Creates a deeper connection with the story
Helps develop more realistic and interesting characters
Elicits an emotional response from the reader
Helps keep word count down
Examples
“I’ll just have to wait this out, thought Blue. He curled up tight”
“Blue huddled against the back door”
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass”
(written with AI)