How to SHOW not TELL in your writing (one simple trick for better prose)

"The character is editorializing, not the author"... When I tell you the lightbulb that came on in my brain when you said that 😂😂😂 omg

I think this "show not tell" guide of yours is the best one so far. All of the other ones I've read online, while they're all good, they're all almost the same, especially examples like this: Tell: She was cold. Show: She shivered, hugging her coat tightly around her, her breath visible in the frosty air. Every guide featured the exact same or extremely similar examples for show vs. tell, even if they are still excellent examples. Your examples on this topic differ from those in previous "show not tell" examples, I truly enjoyed reading them in this video. I really liked the way you explained why the tell excerpt was not as excellent as the show excerpt and why your show excerpt was superior. I now have more options thanks to this. These I will definitely write down in my notes. I really enjoyed your examples of show versus tell. I have learned a lot from occasionally binge-watching your videos because they are always so insightful.

I was struggling with an emotional scene in my story where the main character breaks down in tears after his friend wakes up from a coma. Changed it from "only now, he realized how much had depended on the boy surviving" to his inner thoughts "Stop crying you idiot. He made it. He's gonna be alright." Thank you :))

I usually think about how I'd get to know someone in real life. A person wouldn't tell me they have anxiety because of their critical parents but I might conclude this based on their body language, how they respond to social situations and authority, through their people pleasing methods, etc. And from there it's easy to imagine situations that challenge their fears and misbeliefs and help them grow, like finally standing up to someone who has taken advantage of them.

Before I started watch Abbie, my writing was a mess. I didn’t know ANY story structures and I was a TOTAL PANCER. I thought I was wrapping up my very first story 🎉 until I realized my villain I had in my head wasn’t introduced yet. So… long story short, he ended up being introduced on page 100😅. But thanks to Abbie, I’m outlining my next story with the 3 act story structure. Now my characters have fears, misbeliefs, and desires. Now my story’s character driven not plot driven. THANK YOU SO MUCH ABBIE. You saved my writing career.

Guys, am I going crazy? I feel like both the "tell" example and "Show example" about Orca made me sink into the story already. I liked both approaches 😭 Also, my favourite way of showing and not telling is the use of fragmented sentences when the character is being hit hard with a "truth" or in a life-and-death situation, showcasing their confusion and difficulty in grasping whatever is happening! (Wait, is this even a thing?)

This was so incredibly helpful Abbie! I've been struggling for years to balance emotionally intelligent characters who are honest with themselves without telling too much and irritating my readers. I'll be keeping your tips here in mind from now on, thank you so much!

I always follow two of my favorite authors. Haruki Murakami and Sobers Rodrigues. They are brilliant story tellers.

Just when I thought I really understood the concept of show don't tell...Huge thanks, Abbie. Four years in, I may not be able to save the whole book, but Act III for sure.

marvelous, just marvelous teaching … from a 70 yo guy who loves short story telling via the coast of Maine … so glad I found your utube channel.

I like to continue the struggle of the character's even after they break their misconception. Pam was so happy to have met Jim and Eve. She knew that other souls had strong feelings about her ideas. She came back home and started scribbling notes about her next story. She remembered when her mother came to her room during college days. "What are you writing?" Pam,"Just a story..." Mom"Well, you know that having a writers life is not why we are paying for your college ?" Pam."I don't want to make a career in writing. My teachers told me I should improve my English." She was holding her pen tightly and angered that her inspiration was lost again with a past memory. She tried focusing on Jim and Eve. How they were reminding themselves of past books they enjoyed . "Jim, do you remember that author ...."

Yes show not tell is true. Bad example might be a characters says he is cold. Show his body is turning to white frost and he's shivering, rubbing his hands together.

4:40 ms abbie are you sure you not talkin about me ? 😂

I actually think that it would be helpful to both show and tell. I am not interested so much in prose but in telling a matter of fact story. Sometimes a writer wants to tell the reader what to tink. Say that a villain is evil and then show the evil act. Say a character feels sadness and then show how he or she is dealing with it. I believe there is room for both.

I've been watching your videos all day because I am writing my first book! You've helped me so much. Thank you xoxo

I feel this so much, as a reader! I've recently started to distance myself from a particular author. I've been pretty hooked on her works because her early stuff was SO GOOD. But recently she has had some health issues, and it's showing with the way her characters and story is developing. I think it comes down to the characters being a little flat, surface level. It's like the conflict is barely there, and it never really goes deep. There is some quick fix of the misbelief, cue: HEA. Thank you for pointing out what it is!

Can you make a video about difference between description in short story and in novels. I am struggling with keeping description short and still effective for short story.

Some of us know our internal struggles, but not what to do about it: "I know I"m this way, but how can I change?" Any suggestions, from oneself or others never seem like they'll work. They can't imagine accomplishing the goal. the Misbelief: it'll never happen; I can't. It's too confusing, overwhelming, scary, whatever.

Hi Abbie, hope you are well. Thank you for this video, very informative. Wish I could take your live training but living in a nursing home they take the money. My book is a fantasy novel and I am just wrapping up the outline then will be writing it out. Thanks again and cant wait for your next VOD.

I was just wondering how to do this! Perfect timing! Thank you Abbie! I'm so thankful for your videos.