Show don't Tell

Show don't tell is the most frequent advice in a writer's workshop. Why?  Because it might be the most important difference between compelling writing and writing that falls flat, especially for beginning writers.

If you tell a reader your character is scared, not only is the reader only going to half believe you, he or she is just not going to care. As readers we want to see, hear, feel. We don't want to be told.

Silly example: If your character is scared, show it: let the reader know what is so scary, (footsteps behind her on a desolate street at night) let the reader see her physiological reactions (a prickly feeling in the back of her neck) or her physical response (quickening her pace, glancing behind her).

Here is a great link from science fiction writer Rober J. Sawyer on show don't tell.

Tara K. Harper's Writer's Workshop on showing emotions

Concret advice from Daily Writing Tips on how to Show don't Tell

A wrinkle: the limits of the "show don't tell" doctrine. Not all showing is good, and not all telling is bad. See this blog on the pitfalls of "show don't tell" and don't forget to read the responses. So far, it is an intelligent conversation. From The Elegant Variation, "Show don't tell: the great lie of writing workshops"