Lesson Nine

Lesson 9: When To ‘Tell’ 

This is the ninth and final lesson in the How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories course. I know, I can’t believe we got to the end so quickly!

NOTE: If you want a downloadable, printable PDF of this course, you can buy one for a small fee from our store. The workbook is an advert-free, easy-to-download version of the online course.

In the previous lesson, we discussed using dialogue as a tool for ‘showing’. As promised in lesson number 7, we’ll be discussing when to ‘tell’ in this lesson. “Tell?” I hear you saying. “Haven’t we just spent 8 lessons learning how not to ‘tell’?”

Yes, you’re right. But after all that there are still times when ‘telling’ is the better option!

Do you remember when I said that ‘showing’ becomes easier if you think of the scene you’re writing as one from a movie? The trouble is, we aren’t writing movies. We’re writing novels. The trick to ‘telling’ and ‘showing’ well is balance. We should ‘show’ as much as possible and as our first option. But we do also need to tell at times to build the best story we can.

So when should you ‘tell’ instead of ‘show’?

1.    Backstory

When dealing with a character’s backstory you may need to ‘tell’. We often use narratives to summarise large parts of a story, or something that happened before the story timeline. Even though you’re ‘telling’ you still need to make sure it’s well written, engaging AND important to the story.

2.    Emotion when you can’t ‘show’ the emotion in action.

Sometimes we can’t ‘show’ emotion. Some characters aren’t wired that way. In that case we then need to use internal thoughts or narrative to explain what they are feeling.

3.    Passing of time

We don’t necessarily spend every second with our characters. We need to explain that time has passed when we join them again. ‘Telling’ will help with these transitions.

4.    Glossing over

Not every moment or event needs to be included in the story. You can gloss over unimportant events and conversations by ‘telling’. A good one-liner or a great, three-line description will serve you well.

5.    Connect scenes

Use ‘telling’ to connect scenes and re-orientate your reader.

6.    When you want to

Some scenes just come out like that. There are writers who ‘tell’ beautifully. If it is your talent, embrace it and indulge in it, but do try ‘showing’ in a while. It’s your story. Write it the way it wants to be told.

I hope you enjoyed this course and that it has helped you to show and not tell.

Kind regards
Mia

But, that’s not all…

Another great opportunity is available! Join us today for Short Cuts – How to Write a Short Story Online. This includes a Video Consultation with Mia.

If you want to go back to the beginning, click here: Lesson Zero

NOTE: If you want a downloadable, printable PDF of this course, you can buy one for a small fee from our store. The workbook is an advert-free, easy-to-download version of the online course.