Show, don’t tell, revisited

 It should read Show, Tell less.

Telling is used for summaries often found at the end of chapters and called in the trade, sequels. Before I go on, I want to thank Sandra Gerth for her instructional book on this subject, Show, Don’t Tell.

The sequels I refer to are from another author, Jack Bickham, Scene & Structure. Sequels are the same as Sandra’s transitions but for one important difference. A sequel occurs at the end of a scene, transitions, not necessarily.

Here’s Sandra’s list for when to tell:

1.       Relatively unimportant details

2.       Transitions. Typically, the POV character must pause and digest new info.

3.       Repeated info (it’s been said before in the novel, so a quick reference will do. Generally, avoid this.)

4.       Repeated events. Summarize events that happen repeatably.

5.       Pacing. Showing too much can slow down the narrative.

6.       Context. A little telling before a scene can ground your reader in what’s happening or about to happen.

7.       Suspense. Telling the POV character’s worries over today’s events can create anxiety in the reader who would then worry about tomorrow. That’s a good thing, because your reader is engaged.

8.       And the all important First draft (got to have one of these, lol).

John Bickham’s take on Sequel: “A sequel begins for your view point character the moment the scene ends. Just struck by a new, unanticipated but logical disaster, he is plunged into a period of sheer emotion, followed sooner or later by a period of thought, which sooner or later results in the formulation of a new, goal-oriented decision, which in turn results in some action [in the future scene, RWR] toward the new goal just selected.

If a majority of a chapter is a scene, then the showing should also be in the majority. Therefore, Show, tell less.