No Pun Intended...

Starbrazer · Jul 15, 2006

What are some authors and books that are significantly filled with "show" rather than "tell"? The reason that I ask is because I am really trying to learn how to do this in my writing, but I need to see it for myself. No pun intended...

Mark Lazer · Jul 16, 2006

I've always been taught through the Dangerous Writing essays by Chuck Palahniuk that tell is out of the question. He uses nothing but show in his work.

Bufty · Jul 16, 2006

How are you going to tell the difference unless you know what the difference is? And if you know what the difference is you will find examples of both in any book you care to pick up.

Either tell a reader bluntly 'it was cold' (weatherwise, say), or show him by describing the surroundings/the characters and their actions or reactions so that the reader can see for himself that 'it is cold' and picture how cold it is. Simply saying 'it was cold' gives no indication of 'how' cold. Not the best of examples, but....

Sometimes one may want to 'tell', other times 'show', but show is normally preferable.

I seem to recall you asked for illustrations in another thread, recently -no?.

argenianpoet said:
What are some authors and books that are significantly filled with "show" rather than "tell"? The reason that I ask is because I am really trying to learn how to do this in my writing, but I need to see it for myself. No pun intended...

maestrowork · Jul 16, 2006

I can't think of a novel I've read that is all show but no tell. There is always a good mix of show vs. tell. Even Chuck Palahniuk. Even James Patterson. But starting with them wouldn't be a bad idea since they do show a lot...

pdr · Jul 16, 2006

Actually...

there is a really good stickie at the top of the Short Fiction Board in this Writing Studio section which explains showing and telling very well.

No Pun Intended...

Starbrazer

Mark Lazer

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

pdr