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

Рет қаралды 18,524

Күн бұрын

SAVE YOUR SPOT AT THE LIVE TRAINING 👉 www.learnfromabbie.com/p/elevate-your-writing
"Show, don't tell" is a popular motto in the writing world, and it's a pretty easy rule to remember when you’re writing simple character actions. But when it comes to the more complex things-like fatal flaws, misbeliefs and internal conflict-showing not telling is easier said than done. How much of your character’s internal conflict should you reveal? Are they supposed to know their fatal flaw or keep it hidden? Do they know what they want? Do they know what they’re afraid of? How are we supposed to show the reader all of this without making them feel like they’re just reading a character profile? These are the big questions we're tackling in today's video. Believe it or not, there is one simple trick you can use to instantly improve your prose and make your story unputdownable… by showing (not telling) your character's internal conflict.
Comment below and tell me: what is YOUR favorite way to show not tell internal conflict?
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✨ C H A P T E R S ✨
00:00 How to show internal conflict?
02:09 The golden rule of showing vs telling
04:22 How much should your character know about their own conflict?
06:36 Case study: The Otherworld
07:21 Bad example: telling internal conflict
08:58 Good example: showing internal conflict
11:23 The ONE question to ask yourself
12:16 When is it okay to tell instead of show?
13:56 Ready to take your writing to the next level?
16:37 Recap
17:43 Subscribe for writing videos every week :)
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Пікірлер: 119

@agradymusic 2 күн бұрын

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

@Sirenade 2 күн бұрын

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.

@aryahasey6298 2 күн бұрын

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.

@ShayanMallick29 2 күн бұрын

I know right? I was also so lost, and pantsing was the only thing I knew. Now, it's all organized and I will NEVER go back to pantsing, for I have become OBSESSED with plotting

@Ykibmh Күн бұрын

There's nothing wrong with being a pantser. I can pants the first quarter or so of a book and it'll turn out usable but after that I'll need some kind of road map. People who think plotting is better than pantsing genuinely annoy the hell out of me, don't fall for that, so if you ever end up stuck in an outline, forget it, just write. No one cares how you get your words onto the page as long as those words form a good story.

@byteback Күн бұрын

There’s nothing wrong with being a pantser if you’re truly one, but don’t call yourself a pantser if you’re just disorganized or don’t know what you’re doing.

@Mxe00. 2 күн бұрын

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

@viktoriaschweizer8724 2 күн бұрын

That's so cool! I also follow my favorite authors : Hazel clarke and Stephanie Garber

@VideoGameRoom32 2 күн бұрын

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.

@fallefel8132 2 күн бұрын

You should create a video about writing tips for an already established romance. Example a couple goes on an adventure together, how to build up romance further, how to keep it stable, etc etc.

@mitchbray6637 Күн бұрын

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.

@aforaesthetics1620 2 күн бұрын

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!

@coffeeporse6734 2 күн бұрын

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?)

@elk45 Күн бұрын

You're definitely not crazy 😁 I think that just goes to show even a telling paragraph can be effective if you have an interesting premise and strong prose! Rather than being downright bad, the point seems to be that the 'telling' style can make the character sound unnaturally self aware. It can also kill some of the reader's engagement, since you're not leaving them room to use their big brains for interpretation 🧠

@ElJassar 2 күн бұрын

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

@WRCox 2 күн бұрын

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.

@Fire_Fox_Gaming 8 сағат бұрын

Your videos are always exactly what I need while I'm writing and I'm trying to fix something I wrote wrong 😊❤

@rachelledellavecchia4951 2 күн бұрын

Every time I watch one of your vids I get inspiration for my debate novel. i was halfway through my debut novel's zero draft when I was forced to take a months break from writing. I've gone back to the beginning now and tried to convert it to my 1st draft. I was definitely telling way too much. So excited about my story though.

@TheRoomforImprovement 11 сағат бұрын

I always knew the importance of show don’t tell, I’ve struggled to wrap my head around it until now. This’ll be helpful for editing my own books. Keep up the good work!

@Alexindiegamedev 2 күн бұрын

Abbie could teach a college writing class professionally if she wanted & I for one really appreciate her.

@TheWary0ne-vs3xt 2 күн бұрын

channels like this are super helpful for me rn; i'm trying to plan out a manga based on some story i started thinking about when i was like 11 (so you know how that started) so ive been looking at all these videos to make it into an actual story, since i feel like i haven't got a good grasp on how to write and if i don't by the time i make it the critics might find it and tear it apart for flaws i never knew existed

@OneLuckyLizard 11 сағат бұрын

That's awesome that you're motivated again! As helpful as I find these videos I seem to get caught up in "it has to be perfect and has to have blah blah blah in it cause Abbie said so" my point being don't watch to many writing videos at one time cause you could get caught up in the technical and forget that your doing this for fun as well What's the plot for the manga?

@srushtideshpande8 2 күн бұрын

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.

@unicorntomboy9736 2 күн бұрын

I struggle to write short stories. It is a distinctly different craft from writing a novel or novella

@srushtideshpande8 2 күн бұрын

@@unicorntomboy9736 exactly. It is hard to keep it short. My short story just expands while I write😂

@debolliff5720 Күн бұрын

It was fun hearing you explain this using “The Otherworld” since I’ve already read it. Great story. Thanks again for your videos.

@Ivy_rose29 2 күн бұрын

ABBIE! You're so pretty, and I love your shirt. I have had a burnout of wiring lately but am just getting back into it and reviewing your videos is so fun and helpful!

@Benji568 2 күн бұрын

I just finished the first chapter of my horror/fantasy/crime novel (yeah I know) and I tried my best to not go overboard on the exposition. When I'm writing I mostly rely on description a lot of the time which can be good or bad depending on your point of view. Plus that thing of being afraid of being criticised and shamed by reviewers and the Internet is so true. I go through that every day😅 Thanks for your advice, Abbie. I would join the Discord but I don't have Patreon, sorry.

@unicorntomboy9736 2 күн бұрын

@@Benji568 is it like gothic fantasy or something

@Benji568 2 күн бұрын

@unicorntomboy9736 I've barely started it. I could go that route but I try to keep it grounded and more like a thriller with a supernatural element. That's all I'm gonna say, don't want to give too much away.

@unicorntomboy9736 2 күн бұрын

@@Benji568 My current book is gothic fantasy, with some grimdark

@Benji568 2 күн бұрын

@@unicorntomboy9736 Sounds exciting! Good luck with it.

@viktoriaschweizer8724 2 күн бұрын

Thank you dear Abbie That video really helps!

@bluebookstufff 2 күн бұрын

WHOA I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS THE OTHER DAY! Literally a psychic abbie!

@k.jacquottez-y.561 2 күн бұрын

you EXPOSED pam💀💀

@seamusanthonysowa2589 Күн бұрын

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.

@gabiocampos 2 күн бұрын

Your book sounds majestic can’t wait ❤❤ to read it!

@yasaiasazuke 2 күн бұрын

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 ...."

@coffeeporse6734 2 күн бұрын

Pam parts ways with Jim and Eve. Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump. The sun's warm, bright rays kisses her skin, the wind stirs her hair, and the world, with all its greens and blues and reds and violets has never appeared so bright. It was as if, at this moment, the colours she had only seen through her eyes finally connected with her heart. She even wants to scream and laugh. But Pam will bottle it all up, every single flutter in her chest, and release it through her pen. With lightened steps, Pam rushes home, rushing up the rickety wooden steps with wild abandon, swinging open the familiar shape of her door. She abandons her bag in a heap at her feet, quickly scooping out her trusty worn notebook and pencil and leans over her desk, barely paying mind to sit down. Scritch, scritch, scritch. The pen moves across the notebook frantically, and the owner, transfixed, does not notice the beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. Her heart, that has never calmed down once, orders her hand to continue moving, faster and faster, for it will never be quick enough to write all she wishes to create. SNAP! A black smudge appears over the half-written word. Pam is forced to come to a stop as the pencil gives way, its lead piece rolling off the table. She reaches over to grab it and dispose it into the garbage before grabbing her pencil sharpener so she can continue writing. However, it is this pause in writing that let thoughts have the chance to slip through the cracks and gaps. As the fragments of pencil chips sprinkle down from the pencil sharpener into the waiting maws of the garbage can below her, Pam suddenly recalls an old memory. ("What are you writing?") It was her mother's voice. How had Pam replied then? Oh yes. ("Just a story.") She had curled protectively over her writing then, covering it up from her mother's eyes. At that time, it was during her early college days, when Pam's mother entered the room to see what Pam was doing. ("Well, you should know that we're not paying your tuition so you can be a writer?") A scowl. That was all it took before trepidation had overtaken Pam's heart. A single dip in the eyebrows, and the down-turning of the lips from her mother. She feared her parent's disproval the most. So Pam had replied, ("I'm not thinking of becoming a writer...just that my professors suggested having an improved writing skill would be beneficial in any career.") It was a lie. A lie that took root in her heart and snuffed out all the hope that her parents would understand, and a denial of her dreams. After that, Pam learned to hide her writing, hide her passion, and bury her writer's soul under a lonely banner. She strove instead to be the perfect daughter, and to pursue the career her parents wanted her to do. Just like now. Pam finishes sharpening her pencil, but as the tip touches the notebook's page, it stills, and Pam is unable to make her imprint. She grips her pencil tightly, as if trying to snap it in half, before loosening her hold, and letting the pencil drop onto the notebook. There, she snaps the notebook shut and pushes it to the corner of her desk. There, she stares at it, her earlier exuberant mood bubbling to nothingness. The table, the flower wallpaper, the notebook, and the pen all return to their former colours. Pam pulls out her laptop, ready to finish her class assignments. Writing would have to wait.

@EsCrItOr0OB08O 2 күн бұрын

One of my biggest pet peeved scenes in a book is when the girl from the secret Garden says (spoilers) (I don't know the exact words) They said the garden has been locked for ten years. Then later the girl says: "This key must've been lost here for ten years... It must be the garden's key.". Why not just stop with the "ten years" part?

@MadHawkMoody 2 күн бұрын

THANK YOU! I've been wanting for figure this out for years!

@blindvision4703 2 күн бұрын

I’ve watched maybe some of your videos, or at least part of them, and I guess I’ve kind of let some of my writing zeal fall to the wayside, maybe even dangerously so. I’ve released one book, but it’s kind of on my end of things to really promote it, and being in college and, having a lot going on, it can be hard to do that, especially when I’m relying on someone else running the Facebook account. But watching this video kind of sparked or reignited my desire. I may even take another look at the sequel of my first book again, perhaps even including the parts I really really don’t like. It can be very dialogue heavy, but I think I can take away some of the narrative exposition. What you seem to be teaching is, the right way to apply direct and indirect characterization. But that kind of makes me wonder how someone who has an omniscient third person narrator would do this. I’m not saying that’s necessarily what I’m doing, but I thought I’d ask the question as a bit of intellectual pushback.blessings from Jesus and Messiah.

@SlipsunLightOfHeaven 2 күн бұрын

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

@EyeBallWritesStorys 2 күн бұрын

Question: When my main character reaches their AHA moment and realizes that their fears and misbelief have been holding them back and clouding their judgment about what will bring them true happiness, how can they convey their internal struggle to the side characters without sounding preachy or telling to the audience aka reader? Great video by the way. It was exactly what I need to hear.😁

@hannahlife5531 13 сағат бұрын

your videos always help me overcome my writers block, thank you for al your hard work☺

@pippaschroeder9660 2 күн бұрын

I find I tend to overcomplicate the story I’m writing and add to many things that the story gets out of control. I could fix it with more editing and pre planning

@AiringAustin 2 күн бұрын

I've binged so many of your videos! They're super insightful and have helped me so much thank you!

@elizabethgarris5733 2 күн бұрын

Thank you, Abbie!

@saracoutinho3139 2 күн бұрын

Great video as always! Thank you, Abbie ❤

@faithrosebrair3611 2 күн бұрын

Just what I needed

@unicorntomboy9736 2 күн бұрын

To me, writing a book is always a mixture of both telling and showing, and all writers, even the experienced, seasoned ones like Brandon Sanderson, use both in their writing In my book, my protagonist is somewhat insecure, and desires external validation from others, which is also their fatal flaw, which gets them into trouble in the narrative. Any advice for showing this as much as possible

@jamescarvey2133 23 сағат бұрын

Amazingly engaging and lucid. Your writing advice has had a profoundly favorable impact on my writer's mindset. Thank You forever🙏🙏✍✍🙏🌹✍🙏

@thattrickydude Күн бұрын

First, Otherworld landed on my doorstep a couple days ago and I finished it fast. Abbie did a great job. I found myself wanting to keep reading Otherworld more than even Phantom of the Opera which I read just before it, and that's saying a lot. Something about the cozy vibes made the story enjoyable to be wrapped in, like a blanket. Have to admit I just pictured Orca as Abbie the whole way through, can't be the only one. Put in the replies if you did the same thing. When writing multiple POV i have used one character POV to make assumptions or statements about another character, then in the next or a later chapter use character B's POV to prove the assumption is false with some actions or dialogue. This can expose some false beliefs and inner conflicts in character A without having to "tell". It also saves you from slowing down the story progression a bit.

@consience_sacral 2 күн бұрын

OMG! thanks for this video! Just in the marathon I’m participating in, the theme is emotions!🤩

@obliviousathena Күн бұрын

Thank you so much, Abbie. Your videos are always incredibly helpful and inspiring ❤️😊

@mattogie Күн бұрын

AMAZING video. best show don't tell explanation I've seen

@SomeUniqueHandle 2 күн бұрын

In general I agree with, "Show don't tell" but I think it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Some times telling is better if you want to convey things quickly that aren't central to the story or if the telling accomplishes something beyond the plot point. The Telling version could have worked if the idea was to get into the character's head and establish the character's voice. Imagine that opening but concluding with, "But Papa doesn't know me. Doesn't know what I've done." That becomes a hook for the reader because it takes a semi-typical teen angst "My Dad thinks I'm still a kid" and quickly gives it an ominous twist. Now you can dive into the plot because the reader is primed for something to happen. (I'm being contrarian because sometimes I see writers writing out every last thing instead occasionally summarizing/telling, which derails the pacing.)

@zenebornman7917 2 күн бұрын

THIS WAS SO HELPFUL THANK YOU ABBIE!!! ❤❤❤

@kathyl6677 Күн бұрын

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.

@ritchierees Күн бұрын

Thank you kindly Abbie ❤

@frauleinniemand6043 Күн бұрын

I write a story about a german soilder post WW1 who is struggeling with his way back and has ptsd from war. Now on his second day back in a new city in germany he walks over a marketplace and sees the normal houses, the people and the sky. And he compares every normal thing he sees whith things he saw in french on the Frontline and in the trenches. The normal houses are compared to the destroyed front villages and the clouds on the sky are conpared to planes and balloons. When a litty boy got hurt and his mother worried because he was crying my MC compares this to the injuries his comrades got on the front like bodys that got ripped in half through granates or body parts hanging in the wire in the nomans land, while the head lies besides it in the mud, because noone can go out and burry the dead. So he ultimately thinks, that this small injury the boy has is nothing compared to real injuries and the mother should not worry to much about it. He keeps comparing the normal life (and that is all he wants so thats his goal to live like a normal peraon and not a soilder) with the life in the trenches and feels like hes not made for it, bc he is kinda disgusted or woundered, why the normal people behave like this in certain sitiations. In the other days he just walks the streets or sits on a bench in the middle of the town to watch the normal peoples behaviors so he can learn from it. So this is kinda my way to show what my MC is dealing with, without telling, that he finds it complicated to connect with the normal life

@MagicStar350 2 күн бұрын

Found you a few days ago, really great channel and best tips! Thankss ❤❤

@chalonhutson 2 күн бұрын

Look who is back!

@Madtackron 2 күн бұрын

aah i dont have a way to pay, but hope you get all the support you deserve abbie!

@MistiPatrella Күн бұрын

So helpful! Thank you. I'm in on the training. :)

@Sarawinky 2 күн бұрын

thank you for the video

@LIllIou 2 күн бұрын

Hello Abbie! I really like the way u explain and give tips, as they have helped me a lot! I wanted to ask something about the Fantasy Novel im writing, and your criticism would mean a lot!

@Diane281 2 күн бұрын

i wish i had someone to bounce ideas off of honestly think that would help me a lot but i don't really have anyone

@mikewright3029 Күн бұрын

Wow! Thank you! :D

@kuendhenmuensel9288 2 күн бұрын

Thanks

@just_lilac_and_art 2 күн бұрын

One minute?! Gosh darn i'm early

@user-ue7cs2dd7m Күн бұрын

A good guide for Stragglers on writing road.

@DylanTrippe 2 күн бұрын

Lets go!!!

@johntabler349 Күн бұрын

I'm writing a character who's a native American and is partner in a wild West show in the nineteen oughts his conflict is largely from his upbringing and education in one of the infamous Indian schools. He is hostile towards white culture and religion but also a highly successful showman and entrepreneur in the white world, his internal conflict is never spoken about until he has a blow-up in a very tense moment near the climax but it's expressed in his relationship with a beautiful blonde actress and stunt rider who is devoutly Christian (no romantic subplot) they actually work together extremely well but in his interactions there's always a very slight subtext of hostility that I had trouble relating until he gave her the nickname Yellow Hair,

@kuendhenmuensel9288 2 күн бұрын

Nice 👍

@selahh4089 2 күн бұрын

Is the link to the live class working for anyone? I also don't see it on her site

@nightskyarty Күн бұрын

I need some practical advice for writing dual perspective (except the two protagonists are NOT lovers) but it’s found family instead Is dual perspective too hard for a beginner writer?

@hannahheart1254 Күн бұрын

I’m writing a story about myself as the main character/protagonist and I don’t know that my spirit had spilt in half and became the antagonist. I have eight fox friends and a guy fox called Foxglove Lily, a handsome fox, whom I’m having a big crush on and a kitsune master known as Tigerlily

@ashleycentilles9938 2 күн бұрын

I miss your vids abbie

@ingridf5542 2 күн бұрын

I even write in the same manner as u do but then the confusion arises when I name my character a separate name n my pen name another one. So then both look totally opposite of one another. What should I do then keep the character name the same as the pen name? But if I do so then fictional stories that I create on abuse I can't reveal it as my name becoz it's fictional then again over there, there will be a difference in the names😂

@msblogger349 2 күн бұрын

#AskAbbie! Can u please make a video on the Ultimate Insta love story structure with a printable PDF template for Microsoft Word so I can transfer it to my Google Docs?

@Carlos_solraC Күн бұрын

I have a really specific question. How do you make a character who does not speak, think or hope interesting?

@agatsyashortfilms932 Күн бұрын

Plz reply guruji... I hv seen many guider who says that, unknown about the cause of his own existence and also the chosen one protagonist has been used so many times... So How can i make my protagonist known about the cause of his existence from hook? Without showing my audience that he isn't his kwn therapist and without telling much about his internal conflict.

@musicmeaning9689 2 күн бұрын

youtube, i need your help! i fear my book is "starting too early," but i did it that way for a reason. so to explain: (it's a historical, tragic-ending, romance, hint of mystery in england in 1951) the MC (james) is living in london and meets with a friend (luke) who's just come home from a trip. they talk and catch up and through this conversation significant bits of james' current situation and history are revealed. luke invites james to a big, rich people party, and he's not super thrilled at the idea (characterization). but they end up going and meet the host (teddy) who takes a liking to james be he finds him interesting and "genuine." while at the party, james reflects on feelings of loneliness in london, it's revealed that he abstains from alcohol, and that he was born out west on the river severn. the name of an important figure from his hometown is also revealed in conversation. he also realizes how different he is from luke and teddy and that it seems like he doesn't belong in their "world." in chapter 2, james continues to reflect on his feelings of disquiet about his life while trying to live his day to day life. he has a nightmare (war flashbacks, which are revealed to be recurring dreams) and then writes a journal entry about it as well as the weird dissatisfaction's been feeling. (these entries show up all throughout the book) all of this is to show that something is amiss and his life his unfulfilling (he's rich and famous, by the way). at the end of chapter 2, he gets a letter from his friend back home inviting him to come out for the summer because he's getting married. here it's revealed that james left his hometown without warning and has had little to no contact with anyone since. chapter 3, he has one last moment where he decided this life in london isn't good enough, and he chooses to go back home. the rest of the novel takes place in his hometown with a new cast of characters and deal with him trying to create a life that will finally satisfy him (spoiler, it all falls apart). but luke and teddy don't just disappear, he thinks about them often or calls them on the phone. and he continues to compare himself to them and convince himself that he's not like them (toward the end he realizes they weren't so different after all) the purpose of luke and teddy is to be a symbolic gesture of his inner struggle with identity and putting on a false persona/living a life that doesn't truly have meaning. so is it ok to start the first 3 chapters in london? is it ok if the inciting incident (the letter) comes in chapter 2? would it make a potential reader angry to see these characters get put on the back burner, or does the symbolic intent make it worthwhile? i really love the chapters i wrote in london, they're colorful yet gloomy, carefree but deeply introspective, and i think it makes a beautiful contrast to the tone of the rest of the novel (and shows his arc from sadness - happiness - sadness) this was a massive comment but i have faith in my fellow writers and readers to lend me a hand!

@AudioStoryWick 8 сағат бұрын

Well, the most difficult part is coming out scripts for the characters, especially a good script.

@devuajith3479 2 күн бұрын

First❤ and i love your vids

@flora8632 2 күн бұрын

Heyyyyyyyy 💗💗

@Revenant-oq9ts Күн бұрын

A classic example of show don't tell I think is the first verse of Lose Yourself.

@oluwatamilorefatogbe6166 2 күн бұрын

Abbie : they shouldn't be their own therapist Me: but what if they are a therapist?

@janedoe5229 Сағат бұрын

I know plenty of therapists who don't know what they are doing. They went to therapy school because they knew their own family (and they themselves) are a mess. They go with what they learned in school, or they go with their favorite theory that they apply to everyone, (you have repressed memories of being molested by your father - next) and they ignore or can't see the truth.

@kuendhenmuensel9288 2 күн бұрын

Wow

@DungeonsNCrafts-tv6bv 10 сағат бұрын

how tf did the subscribe button glow?? that cool

@immortaljanus Күн бұрын

Show if you can. Tell if you must. Imply whenever possible.

@JustinTrudeau1971 2 сағат бұрын

It’s not show, don’t tell. It’s show, tell, ignore. You showed Orca’s emotion, you told the reader she belongs on the ocean floor via dialogue, and you ignored a huge section of time where she aged. Good writing incorporates all three.

@dawidwojacki5049 2 күн бұрын

4:28 Well of course I know her. She's me 😅

@keepinkovellaflow 5 сағат бұрын

🤩🙏🏾

@grondhero Күн бұрын

How do you write intimacy scenes? Do you let them kiss and then 'fade to black'? Do they walk into the bedroom and close the door and the next paragraph about them is the next day? Do they strip and jump on the bed so-to-speak? Do you treat it like a daytime soap opera?

@VideoGameRoom32 2 күн бұрын

But if character is just asking for information like where is this place at tell or a phone number.

@leighamontgomery981 2 күн бұрын

This video is about internal conflict. Does the sharing of info like a phone number or address involve internal conflict? For sure not EVERYTHING needs to be shown instead of told.

@kuendhenmuensel9288 2 күн бұрын

😅😅😅

@douglasmclean3723 2 күн бұрын

i am wrestling with my own turmoil and i am the the character in this book i started years ago but when i saw you and your sister on dilaogue i gave up. This is very well peresented. Before i went to sleep a few nights ago a voice in my head said you be the witness and observer and do it on a video camera first. this bleeding and outline does not work for you. anyway it is pretty late now and i can't be bothered reading the instructions on how it works. when i do "showing" in the past, it is complaining cartastrophising. i have just come off my medication 3 days ago and that was the first thing that hit me at the beginning of this video. this time i can feel your character

@ghg8701 Күн бұрын

"Show, don't tell" needs to be kept for the complex stuff, nobody cares to interpert the simple things. "Yawn, eyes heavy" etc. make it feel theatrical

@Watcherobot 2 күн бұрын

This channel is the GOAT Along with Jed Herne

@amenyamoah 2 күн бұрын

@blue__mushroom7283 2 күн бұрын

I can’t join😭 I’m not allowed to use my money😢

@oluwatamilorefatogbe6166 2 күн бұрын

That is rigged

@EtherArch Күн бұрын

Good way to show not tell: focus on sensory stimuli, not internal monologue.

@lo8108 Күн бұрын

Am I the only one who thinks Abbie looks and talks a lot like Marissa from the OC?

@byteback Күн бұрын

So the one simple trick to better prose is to attend her class, correct? Or somehow I missed that part?

@retiefgregorovich810 2 күн бұрын

I have to wonder, is it me, or is it a male versus female view of writing? I'm an engineer and am trained to get the facts across as quickly as possible without fluff, so I was fine with the short, tell, version as it very quickly got the point across. The show version was long and flowerily. How to put it? When I was looking to buy a house, I walked into a furnished home where an elderly woman lived and the house was filled with toy stuffed bears, flower paintings, macrame, etc, all the stuff a man wouldn't have, and the seller looked embarrassed and told me to imagine the house without all this feminine fluff. I couldn't and didn't buy a pretty good house. I feel the same way about this example.

@leighamontgomery981 2 күн бұрын

It’s not a man vs woman thing. Male and female authors can show vs tell in a skillful way, AND male and female authors can do it poorly. There are male and female literary fiction authors that use waaaaaay too much flowery prose. Judging by your comment, I think I have to assume that you make everything a gender issue…male engineers are succinct and to-the-point, while females are full of unnecessary feminine fluff 🙄 blaming a woman’s decor choices for you missing out on a nice house…sooo much wrong with that take but I don’t think I’m going to touch it. Probably you shouldn’t aim to write fiction the same way you write for your engineering job. They aren’t comparable. 🙂

@SomeUniqueHandle 2 күн бұрын

So Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" is a quick and to the point read? How about James Joyce's "Ulysses"? Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose"? Writing technical documentation is very different from writing fiction. (I've done both.) And your house analogy falls apart because you're not taking into account the changes in taste over the years. Look at how a standard Victorian home or club was decorated in the day compared to now. Most homes today are far more minimalist in with more neutral colors, regardless of gender. The fact that you passed on a house because it was "too feminine" even though all the decor would have been removed before you moved in is sad.

@stebbigunn7690 16 сағат бұрын

I do think this show don't tell is a bit overexaterated. Caracter's first, all that doesn't fit each caracter, it doesn't make sence to stretch the page if it isn't filtered through the caracter's eyes. Intentionally include everything that matters, without taking things out of content.

@MrNoucfeanor Күн бұрын

I hate the industry as a male romance author... Being forced to use a pen name to sell copies is lame. Thinking going indi, sales be damned.

@MagnusItland 9 сағат бұрын

I hate when people show, don't tell, in real life.

@FaithPegram 2 күн бұрын

Thank you Abbie! This really helps. Will someone tell me the following line from chapter 1 of my book I am currently working on is show or tell? Here's the line: Ashley winced, the pain was unbearable.

@elementeight8 2 күн бұрын

You’re telling the “pain is unbearable”. It’s also in the passive voice by using “was”. Ashley winced, and grabbed her thigh. Ashley winced, trembling. Etc etc etc

@FaithPegram Күн бұрын

@@elementeight8 Thank you. She had a accident that shattered her kneecap so I will say Ashley winced, and grabbed her knee. Thank you again for the help.