Did you ever have a teacher say to you, “Show me, don’t just tell me”? While this may have sounded frustrating as a teen, that request defines the artistry of writing. As writer’s, we show and paint pictures with our words so that our readers can see what we see and feel what we feel. We get to decide what we show our readers and what we tell them or don’t tell them. Those decisions are the art of writing.

Before getting into ways to show and not just tell, let’s have a mini-grammar lesson on verbs as a refresher.

Action Verbs vs. Linking Verbs:

There are two types of verbs: action and linking.

1. Action verbs: express physical or mental actions. 

• Marie threw the ball to Tom. (physical action)
• Marie knows Tom. (mental action)

2. Linking verbs: express a state of being by “linking” their subject to a noun or adjective.

• Tom is the catcher. (The subject “Tom” is linked to the noun “catcher.”)
• Tom seems nice. (The subject “Tom” is linked to the adjective “nice.”)

If you need a little more instruction on verbs, chek out Grammar Monster. They have great lessons on action verbs and linking verbs, as well as helpful videos.

Showing vs. Telling:

When you need to show rather than tell, look at your verb choices. If you are using linking verbs, you are telling your reader who or what the subject is. If you are using action verbs, you are showing your reader what the subject is doing or thinking. Look at the difference between these sentences.

Linking/Telling vs. Action/Showing

Maria feels happy. vs. Maria understood and smiled contentedly.

Tom is smart. vs. Tom computed the numbers in his head.

The dog seems obedient. vs. The dog stopped barking at his owner’s command.

If a scene needs to be shown, find the linking verbs in your own writing and picture what the person is doing. Then show the action so that your readers can see it too.

Being Intentional about What You Show:

Now that you understand the difference between showing and telling, you need to understand what you should show. For example, if you are writing your memoir, minimize the amount of action from memories throughout your life. Every story you narrate in the memoir must be important to the overall theme. Show your audience only what matters to them and to the overarching objective of your book. 

For example, if you are writing a memoir about the accident that changed your life, the funny story about a teenage sleepover with your girlfriends is not the right story to tell for this book. However, if your accident happened on your way home from that sleepover, then that is the perfect story to include.

Once you are selective with the stories you will narrate, decide which parts of the story are pertinent to show. Instead of starting the story months before the accident, when you bought your new car, start with the day of the accident. Do not show the car in the garage, the shape of the key, or the sound the door makes when it unlocks. Do show the bend in the road and the car swerving in the other lane. What did you see, feel, hear, and think before, during, and after the moment of impact? Slow down the narrative during the moments that matter and take your readers with you on that journey by painting a clear picture with descriptive writing that uses action/showing verbs. 

A great example of properly showing your audience to tell your story, check out Michele Harper’s memoir, The Beauty in Breaking (Riverhead Books, 2020). For example, Harper, an ER doctor, shares the story of having to break the news to parents about their child:

     “I’m very sorr—” I began, but before I could finish the word, the mother fell to the floor.

     She had already known, but the words were irrevocable confirmation. The father collapsed as well and lay embracing her on the floor. The grandmother gasped, clasping her left hand over her mouth and holding her right hand to her breast. She stood tall. Her watery eyes held fast. (p 61)

Harper doesn’t share the story just because it’s painful and will surely bring her readers to tears. She shares the story because after her shift, when she’s home alone, she realizes she is crying for the first time in her life. She never cried about her childhood or the violence she witnessed almost daily. But this tragic moment broke her wide open: “I didn’t know how or when, but this opening could lead to healing. After all, only an empty vessel can be filled with grace, but to get there, we had to help each other rise while we shed the same tears. We had to get up and start again” (p. 69).

So, not only did she share a story that exemplified the beginning of her “beauty in breaking” theme, but she slowed down the narrative to show the moment those parents’ hearts were breaking in front of her as her own breaks. This scene would not have the same impact if she merely wrote, “The family was very upset”, don’t you agree?

Become an Artist

Your goal is to decide what picture you want to paint with your words. Your book is your canvas. Your life experiences and lessons are the scenes. Take your readers on a journey. Show them what matters.

Remember, Dream That Big Publishing can help dream big and guide you during every point of your writing journey. 

Join us at one of our events to get even more guidance and inspiration, or we recommend tuning into 7-Figure Authorpreneur Podcast. We created two specific episodes that can assist you more on this subject: Crafting Content That Sells and How to Find Your Niche and Stay Focused. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We are always here to help authors on their path to finishing THAT book!