The Myth of Show Don’t Tell

And When You Should Tell

‘Show, don’t tell’ is good advice, but sometimes you’re allowed to break the rules.

Writers are often taught that if you want a reader to feel something, you need to show it happening. A clenched fist instead of ‘he was angry.’ A lingering look instead of ‘she wanted him.’ A lingering look instead of ‘she wanted him.’ And it works, to a point.

But there a…