By Kristine Carlson Asselin

I’m often asked to present my workshop on the differences between “showing” in your writing vs. “telling” in your writing. I thought I’d share some of that workshop here, for you!

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Have you ever been told that you “tell” too much in your writing; that you need to “show” more? What does that even mean?

“Show, don’t tell.”

When an agent or editor says this about your writing, they mean:

• Don’t just tell me the story…show me, using your words.
• Place the reader INTO the story. This is especially important in first person POV—but also equally important in close third.
• Use the senses to bring the reader along for the ride. Sight, Sound, Touch, Taste, Smell.
• Use specificity

For example…in my first draft of a YA contemporary romance, I might describe the love interest this way. This is Telling:

• I watched John walk into the…