You’ve probably heard the advice ‘show, don’t tell’ more times than you can count. But what does it really mean—and more importantly, how can you actually do it?

In this post, we’ll break down what ‘show, don’t tell’ means in creative writing, why it matters, and how you can use practical techniques to bring your fiction to life. Whether you’re polishing your first novel or exploring flash fiction, mastering this skill can transform your storytelling from flat to unforgettable.

Want more help polishing your fiction? Find out how to find your own unique writing voice.

What does ‘show, don’t tell’ mean in fiction?

In fiction writing, ‘telling’ often means summarising a character’s feelings, events, or traits in a straightforward way. It’s quick and direct – but it can feel distant or dry.

‘Showing,’ on the other hand, means revealing details through action, dialogue, senses, and implication. It draws your reader into the moment. Instead of saying “Julia was angry,” you let the reader see Julia slam the cupboard door, clench her fists, or speak through gritted teeth.

But why do we show, not tell? What’s the point?

Reading is an act of imagining. As I wrote about in my death of the author explanation, stories come alive when a writer’s work and a reader’s imagining come together. It’s the two minds merging that create stories that stay with you. This is why the balance has to be perfect. If the story is all ‘tell’, then the scales are tipped in favour of the author, and the reader isn’t pouring enough of themselves into it. But if the author ‘shows’, this pulls the reader into the story to directly interpret what they’re reading. And as we know, different people interpret things in different ways. This means the version of a scene or story that YOU imagine, is the one that’s made for you. It will be immersive, emotional, and memorable.

Why is ‘showing’ important in fiction?

Here’s why “showing” matters so much:

• It builds empathy. When readers witness a character’s emotions through their actions, they connect more deeply.
• It creates vivid imagery. Sensory detail and lived experiences are more evocative than plain summaries.
• It invites interpretation. Showing trusts the reader to draw conclusions, which makes reading more rewarding.

That’s not to say you should never tell. Telling can be useful for transitions, pacing, or summarising unimportant moments. The real art is knowing when to show and when to tell, and making deliberate choices based on this.

Techniques to show not tell in your writing

So how do you actually show instead of tell? Let’s explore five techniques that will help your fiction shine.

1. Use sensory language

Don’t just say what’s happening—let your readers feel it.

Instead of:
The forest was scary.

Try:
Branches clawed at her coat as shadows twisted between the trees. A low growl echoed behind her, damp with hunger.

This kind of sensory description builds tension and atmosphere. Think about what your character sees, hears, smells, tastes, and touches.

2. Let characters reveal themselves through action

Action is one of your best tools for showing character traits and emotions.

Instead of:
Tom was nervous.

Try:
Tom tugged at his sleeve, eyes darting toward the door every few seconds. His foot tapped out a frantic rhythm beneath the table.

You don’t need to explain – readers can read between the lines. Trust their ability to interpret.

3. Write dialogue that does the work for you

Dialogue is a goldmine for showing emotion, power dynamics, and relationships.

Instead of:
She was sarcastic.

Try:
“Oh, brilliant idea,” she said, eyebrows raised. “Why don’t we also invite the raccoons in for tea?”

Well-written dialogue can show tone, subtext, and personality without ever needing exposition.

4. Use metaphor and symbolism

A well-placed metaphor can carry emotional weight without ever stating it outright.

Example:
The letter lay unopened, a dead weight on the kitchen table.

Here, the metaphor of the “weight” suggests emotional heaviness or dread – without explicitly saying how the character feels.

Symbolism is especially useful for themes, too. A wilting plant, a cracked mug, or a broken necklace can all hint at inner turmoil or change.

5. Create scenes Instead of summaries

When something matters emotionally, write a full scene around it. Show what happens, let the characters interact, and let the setting reinforce the emotion.

Telling:
After the funeral, they grew apart.

Showing:
She stood on one side of the driveway, clutching her coat. He stayed by the car, staring at the empty passenger seat. Neither crossed the space between.

Scenes like this let the reader feel the rift, instead of just being told about it.

Common pitfalls: When telling sneaks In

Even seasoned writers sometimes fall into the trap of telling. Me especially! If you’re writing fantasy, science fiction, or speculative, you have to work even harder to avoid ‘telling’ too much, as you’ll have more mythology and world-building to do. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

• Adverbs after dialogue tags (e.g. “she said angrily”) — show anger through speech or action instead.
• State-of-being verbs (was, is, felt, seemed) — these often signal telling.
• Overexplaining — don’t tell readers what they’ve just seen happen.

And if you find yourself writing something like “he looked sad”—ask yourself: What would sadness look like in his body, his behaviour, his voice? Then write that instead.

When it’s okay to tell

Not everything needs to be a cinematic scene. Sometimes, telling is the best choice for:

• Transitions and time jumps
• Background info that isn’t emotionally charged
• Establishing facts quickly to focus on key scenes

Think of telling as the glue between your golden moments of showing. Use it with intention.

Final thoughts: show, don’t tell, but tell when you must

Showing in fiction isn’t about ditching telling altogether – it’s about choosing the most engaging, immersive way to deliver your story. If you can make readers feel what your characters feel, they’ll remember your story long after they finish the last page.

Looking for more fiction writing techniques and creative writing advice? Find out how to write – from how to plan a novel in Microsoft Excel to how to edit the second draft of your novel – in my guide to how to be a writer.