on Live Write Thrive:

It’s the golden rule of fiction: show, don’t tell. But it’s easier said than done. Show toomuch, and you’ll bore even yourself. Show the wrong details, or show ineffectively, and you may find that your readers are mismanaged, indifferent, or asleep.

Showing and telling in fiction requires a balance, for there are times when one or the other is the most appropriate. We fiction writers have to balance all the elements in a scene or story, like spinning multiple plates in the air without letting any fall.

We need balance between dialogue and narrative. Between action and backstory. Between internalizing thoughts and showing emotion.

It takes some thought to determine when to show and when to tell, but this post will give you some insights to help you find your balance.