--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Good writers may “tell” about almost…" description: "\"“Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings.”\" — John Gardner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/john-gardner-3092_fiction_good-writers-may-tell-about-almost-anyth_2409583.png" --- # Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction… ![“Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings.” quote by John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/john-gardner-3092_fiction_good-writers-may-tell-about-almost-anyth_2409583.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/john-gardner-3092_fiction_good-writers-may-tell-about-almost-anyth_2409583.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/john-gardner-3092_fiction_good-writers-may-tell-about-almost-anyth_2409583.png) > ““Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings.”” [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers can describe events, but conveying authentic character emotions is uniquely challenging. **In simple terms:** Writing feelings is hard. Key Takeaway Focus on showing, not telling. Themes writing fiction emotion character technique Mood analytical instructive thoughtful Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - novel writing - screenwriting - creative workshops - editing Key Concepts narrative voice empathy show‑don’t‑tell Questions to Reflect On - How can you reveal feelings through actions? - What techniques help convey internal states? A Different Perspective Readers may misinterpret or feel disconnected if emotions are not well rendered. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characters Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-feelings-556232/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Good writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-writers/) [Tell Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-fiction-1286937/) [Writers Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-tell-419237/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings. One may tell the reader that the character went to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/good-writers-may-tell-about-almost-anything-in-fiction-except-the/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [Good writers show rather than tell. Stories are told in action. 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