Show, Don’t Tell: How to Bring Your Scenes to Life
Ever watched the movie adaptation of your favorite book and felt underwhelmed? Well! We all have been there. The characters are the same; and the plot hasn't changed much, so why does it feel different? It is because great books don’t just tell a story; they make you experience it.
Some books pull you in so deeply that even the greatest adaptation cannot replicate their magic. The secret to make your writing just as immersive? Show, don’t tell. Here is what you need to do to bring your scenes to life by mastering the art of showing.
Show, Don’t Tell: What Does It Really Mean?
Show, don’t tell is probably one of the most common pieces of advice authors hear - but what does it really mean? If you want to make your story immersive and engaging for the readers, you can’t just tell them what’s happening; you need to show them, presenting your story like a movie scene.
But while authors hear this advice very often, actually mastering it is another story. Creating an immersive experience for the readers is an art. Specifically, in a time when the attention span of readers has been reduced to seconds, you need to make your story captivating enough that it grips the readers from the start.
Mastering The Art of Show, Don’t Tell
The last thing any writer wants is for the readers to DNF their book. Here is how you can keep them hooked from start to finish by mastering the art of show, don’t tell.
Make Your Readers Feel Everything: Engage The Senses
The fastest way to engage your readers is to engage their senses - sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. Rather than generically explaining the details, present sensory details that make the readers feel they are living in your fantasy world.
Though writers use sensory details, most rely on visual description only - that alone is not enough. The best way to offer an immersive experience is to explain emotions through physical reactions.
Telling: “He was shocked”
Showing: “He blinked, once, twice, as if trying to wake from a dream. “You—you’re joking, right?” His voice barely rose above a whisper.”
2. Bring Your Characters To Life With Body Language
Actions speak louder than words - this is not just an aphorism; it is a rule of thumb for writers trying to master the art of show, don’t tell. Do not directly tell the readers what your characters are doing; show it through their body language and subtle cues. Do not spoon-feed the readers; let them see the emotions unfold and leave the rest to their imagination.
Telling: “Grief overcame his thoughts.”
Showing: “Though the air was warm, a deep chill settled in his bones. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, but it did nothing to stop the cold. His shoulders caved inward, as if suddenly the weight of his sorrow was pressing him down.”
3. Let Your Dialogue Carry Emotion & Subtext
Pair your dialogues with subtext that reveals the true emotions behind spoken words. Just as in real life, we don’t just hear what people say - we see how their body language shifts, their eye movements switch, and their voice wavers; readers should be able to experience the same depth in your story, too. The conversation should feel real. Let them feel the tension in the scene. Rather than just using adverbs to explain the situation, let body language, pacing, and tone do the talking.
Telling: “I am fine”, she said angrily.
Showing: “She yanked her arm away. “I’m fine.” The words came out flat, brittle - like a thread fraying at the edges.”
4. Show Your Fantasy World Through Character Interaction
Info-dumping is one of the most common mistakes fantasy authors make. World-building by telling rather than showing not only makes your writing boring but also makes the experience less engaging for the readers. Don’t let your story become a victim of world-building critique.
Best way to introduce your fantasy world? Through character interactions. Weave traditions, rules, and lore naturally into dialogue, actions, and setting details. Add subtle cues that make your world feel natural.
Telling: “The field area was strictly off-limits to commeners - only the privileged fews could step beyond that fence.”
Showing: “The ball rolled past the boundary. Amidst the laughter and the rush to grab it first, Juliet dashed forward, unaware she had just taken her first wrong step. One foot crossed the line. The other was still in the air when—boom!—a force she couldn’t see hurled her backward. She crashed into the dirt. The laughter died instantly. A shadow loomed over her. “Stay where you belong.” Before she could process what had happened or look up at the figure behind the voice, a familiar hand grabbed hers, yanking her away from the boundary.”
Go Back, Read Again And Identify What’s Holding Your Story Back
Still here? That means the techniques must have helped you remember one of those scenes in your writing that should have been done better - scenes that could use a little more showing and less telling. Take it as a sign - read your story again and do a story structure analysis. This time, you will be able to identify the points holding your story back.
Struggling With Weak Prose? A Personalized Edit From Nina Lopez-Ortiz Can Make All The Difference
Your story has potential; you just need a Fairy GodReader that makes your magic feel more real - a fantasy book editor that can help you bring your scenes to life.
At Once Upon A Manuscript, get the precise manuscript editing services your story needs. I can be your manuscript mentor, ready to guide you toward the most immersive version of your story.
Let’s turn your story into a spellbinding world that readers won’t want to leave.
