There's an old adage in writing: 'Don't tell, but show.'…
“There's an old adage in writing: 'Don't tell, but show.' Writing is not psychology. We do not talk 'about' feelings. Instead the writer feels and through her words awakens those feelings in the reader. The writer takes the reader's hand and guides him through the valley of sorrow and joy without ever having to mention those words.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Show, don’t tell; convey emotions through sensory detail rather than explicit description.
In simple terms: Use vivid scenes to evoke feelings.
Key Takeaway
Write scenes, not explanations.
Themes
writing
emotion
show-don’t-tell
Mood
introspective
instructive
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- teaching creative writing
Key Concepts
narrative technique
empathy
sensory detail
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you translate an emotion into a concrete image?
- What details best hint at a character’s inner state?
A Different Perspective
May lose subtlety if over‑showing.