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

[@agradymusic]

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

[@mikalbuq]

sameee

[@elchiponr1]

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 :))

[@bluefleur57]

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.

[@wombat4583]

It depends on the character and the point of view of the story. Some people are extremely open and will tell you outright they have anxiety. Some you have to force it out of them. Others will avoid admitting it all all costs and every other variant in between. Also, it's extremely common for body language to not match thoughts. Body language is a pseudo science for a reason.

[@BirdsAndWhales]

The telling version is actually a really good way to start if you just need to get the scene out of your head. It gives you a nice guide. Then you can go back and say “how can I show this?”

[@pwetty4r4]

I like this

[@aryahasey6298]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[@Sirenade]

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.

[@futurestoryteller]

A Ted-Ed video about writing vividly made me realize that these examples suggest the antidote for terse literalism is... more literalism. See "she was sad," and "she cried," are so closely related as to be virtually indistinguishable, so it has to be, "she wailed, tears streaming down her reddened face, from weary eyes, crusted and red." certainly nothing over the top about that either. When it could be something like "Her thoughts drifted back to the last Kauai bird, and its haunting call for a mate that would never come. Those were her dreams. A half remembered cry to a lost future. It went not unheard. Life surrounds, and not a single hope for the songbird." I'm not saying it's great or anything, but they give you no impression that you can even do this. It's all "she clinged" this and "her eyes" that.

[@arfenmalik1717]

​​@@futurestoryteller Awsome explanation Let me ask what does it mean.... show us how the point of view character sees it

[@futurestoryteller]

@@arfenmalik1717 It's just an example, I deprived it of some context for brevity's sake. There was a certain type of endagnered songbird, around the 1980's someone managed to record the mating call of the last known survivor of the species - life moves on, but no one ever heard that call again. Since it's not from any real story the only conscious decision I made was to not make it about loneliness. It affects loneliness, because that how hopelessness feels, but the hypothetical character is pining for a lost future, of a personal nature, not an intimate partnership. Which is too easy, I think

[@arfenmalik1717]

@futurestoryteller I got that part about the bird I'm asking what does it mean 👉 point of view of a character

[@futurestoryteller]

@@arfenmalik1717 👉 It's an example

[@coffeeporse6734]

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]

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 🧠

[@Lia_michelin143]

i get what you mean. but the showing version is js info dumping. even if you get immersed, it isn't that realistic bc that's not how humans act. and like abbie said, why would orca know all of that anyways. when i read studd like that i js cringe bc they're telling us sm. u want to be as realistic as possible.

[@elk45]

@@Lia_michelin143 I agree, so much telling in the introduction paragraph of a narrative with a limited narrator (Orca) doesn't make a lot of sense. But I think there are cases where leaning into a 'telling' style can work, because the narrator is omniscient (something like death narrating The Book Thief). In such a case, having an unrealistic 'voice' can make narrative sense and add an interesting style!

[@BKPrice]

Like many techniques in writing, show don't tell isn't a universal principle. It is a method of focusing on certain parts of the story. It isn't appropriate in every situation. As a writer you would need to understand the pacing of your particular story to know when showing is appropriate and when telling is, and indeed sometimes both of them can work quite well.

[@TrivoMarjanovic]

​@@Lia_michelin143i info dump in real life all the time😅

[@Mxe00.]

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

[@viktoriaschweizer8724]

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

[@newjerusalem7197]

I also follow my favorite author, MAKOTO SHINKAI Read his books and watch his movies, they’ll inspire you very much.

[@danagreen6518]

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.

[@ElJassar]

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

[@aforaesthetics1620]

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!

[@JustinTrudeau1971]

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.

[@seamusanthonysowa2589]

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.

[@jamescarvey2133]

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

[@ToonboyOriginals]

I like your comment because you used the word "lucid"

[@jamescarvey2133]

Thanks

[@dawnstag7267]

I typically tell and THEN show. "He was mad - like, really mad. His face was red, boiling over with fury and his fists were clenched, knuckles white like hot fire.

[@stix.ed1tz]

I should try doing that! I'm writing my own fanfic novel and I'm not really that experienced so I might try this a few times

[@dawnstag7267]

@@stix.ed1tz It's definitely my favorite way to write it. Good luck on the fanfic!

[@stix.ed1tz]

@@dawnstag7267 ty! Good luck on whatever your writing too!

[@ebilop]

I've always dreamed of publishing a novel and I've tried several times to write a story. I feel like I have very good ideas, but I'm never sure about to build them up. I discovered this channel by accident and I was watching this video. When she gets to the part where she says "if you made it this far, I know that you're serious about your writing", I almost cried because I realized that I'm deadly serious about writing. I want to create stories and allow people to dive into different worlds and situations through my writing. Thanks for creating these contents, it really inspired me to chase that dream.

[@hayliabrown5886]

Yes!! You can do it! It took even Tolkien 17 years to write Lord of the Rings, and the world wouldn’t be quite as magical without that work in it. I’m sure you have amazing ideas and great potential novels, maybe you’ll even be a best seller one day! Keep believing in yourself, and I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey! ❤🎉✍️📝📖📚

[@k.jacquottez-y.561]

you EXPOSED pam💀💀

[@nilsen5109]

I am pam 😂😂

[@VideoGameRoom32]

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.

[@futurestoryteller]

I think the advice mostly about letting the audience use their imagination by deducing anything at all. So if you say something like "He knew he should have worn more layers. Like seventeen of them." Then the audience will understand that the guy is cold, and he doesn't have to turn ghost white, covered in icicles every time, like a cartoon character.

[@kathyl6677]

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.

[@Fire_Fox_Gaming]

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

[@Ivy_rose29]

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!

[@srushtideshpande8]

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]

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

[@srushtideshpande8]

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

[@elizabethgarris5733]

Thank you, Abbie!

[@Author_WmCollins]

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.

[@bluebookstufff]

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

[@TrivoMarjanovic]

I like your "tell" version more, the other feels like fake storytelling. Can't I use the "tell" to give a setup? The "tell" version can be a lie someone tells themselves. I completely agree that this must be done in moderation.

[@TheTektronik]

Being an author is not even in the horizon for me. I only inted to use this approach for the copywriting skill I'm building. Thanks a whole lot.

[@KieraGrant-n1f]

I really enjoy watching your videos - they are very helpful. However, there is one aspect that I've noticed many people don't discuss, even though it's something I still struggle with as a beginner writer. The writing process can still be challenging for me at times. Nonetheless, great work on the video content.

[@Art1tseL1lac]

One minute?! Gosh darn i'm early

[@krispstalkrew]

I disagree with this 'show, not tell' 'rule'. Sometimes you need to show, and sometimes you need to tell. They both are necessary tools for writers (But knowing when to show and when to tell, is a skill that could really enhance a story). I believe too much 'showing' and little or no 'telling could weigh negatively on a story. It also depends on the reader. Some readers rather you tell them what is happening at times, otherwise they'd be confused and won't understand the story.

[@yasaiasazuke]

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]

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.

[@BLINKKPOPLOVER]

Thank you soooo much this helps so much!!!!

[@sherrylatrice8733]

OMG! I am Pam! You've literally broken down my internal conflict in 20 seconds. Now I just need to do this with my characters. Yeah, piece of cake. 😂

[@BKPrice]

I think the key is in the observation that showing is allowing the reader to be emotionally involved in the scene. Show don't tell is not a universal, one size fits all technique. It is, like most other things with writing, an artistic choice. Sometimes you should tell instead of showing. For instance, if Bob is going to bed after a long day, you would probably just write that Bob was tired and went to bed. Unless Bob being tired and going to bed is significant, showing is inappropriate, as it puts emphasis and emotion into something that should be a quick footnote.

[@viktoriaschweizer8724]

Thank you dear Abbie That video really helps!

[@chess_piece_bishop_knight]

I needed to go watch this, I am a mess-up in writing emotional moments. Thanks to this video, I am improving somewhat

[@PunitSharma_]

2:38 the video starts from here welcome!

[@grondhero]

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?

[@cosmicprison9819]

She doesn’t. At least not in “100 Days of Sunlight”, and with regard to the ages of the characters in her other two books, I wouldn’t expect any intimacy scenes in there either. It doesn’t really seem to fit the target audience she is going for.

[@matthewmccadden8136]

Good stuff Abbie. Your videos have helped me during the third revision of my first book. So glad I stumbled across your channel.

[@haunterdarren6062]

I’ve been needing this tutorial for so long! Thank you!

[@dragonflame5132]

Hi you videos have been pretty helpful for me as I am writing my first ever book right now! Thank you for all the work you put into these videos!❤

[@reveoncelink6133]

God, I'm broke. Helplessly so. I want to read Abbie's books so much, but I can't! 😭😭😭😭One day, I'm gonna buy all of them and read them. Those are perfect books for me! How cool would it be if "The Otherworld" becomes a movie??? OHMYGOD! Can we open a petition for that?? Is there a way to help???

[@Benji568]

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]

@@Benji568 is it like gothic fantasy or something

[@Benji568]

@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]

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

[@Benji568]

@@unicorntomboy9736 Sounds exciting! Good luck with it.

[@mitchbray6637]

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.

[@S.S.Ford-5678yui]

Thanks Abbie, you’re videos help me become a better writer! I’m trying to write a character who isn’t a main villain of the story but she causes the events of the story. Could you do a video on how to write a character like that?

[@thattrickydude]

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.

[@Alexindiegamedev]

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

[@Sarawinky]

thank you for the video

[@ArtMe-rp4jf]

Teacher Abbie I have a question 🙋‍♀️. My character is under pressure because she’s doing surgery as a test and her father who is a monitor (one of the best medical professionalist) is monitoring her can I write this? - My father’s watching from the observation deck, his presence a constant reminder of the high standards I’m expected to meet. I catch a glimpse of his stern expression through the glass. He nods slightly, his approval a small but significant gesture. I can’t help but feel the weight of his expectations pressing down on me.

[@Moxalotl12]

Sounds interesting

[@LIllIou]

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!

[@blindvision4703]

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.

[@TheWary0ne-vs3xt]

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]

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?

[@TheWary0ne-vs3xt]

@@OneLuckyLizard plot is all over the place right now; the character goes through so many different setting changes and tone changes that i'd be here forever trying to explain it lol though with what i'm trying to do with the character is to show how she changes to react to her current situation, at one point actually becoming a worse person than she was before due to the circumstances so i think that might be an interesting thing to work with

[@OneLuckyLizard]

@@TheWary0ne-vs3xt Ooo I've wanted to write a story like that for awhile! Let me know how it turns out! Lol

[@TheWary0ne-vs3xt]

@@OneLuckyLizard lol aight; if i get the whole story out maybe i'll try to remember this comment

[@OneLuckyLizard]

@@TheWary0ne-vs3xt lol

[@ritchierees]

Thank you kindly Abbie ❤

[@tiffanylamb1187]

I cannot believe it has only been a month since this video's release. It has stuck in my mind like gum on the bottom of a shoe. Lol. I was so proud of getting 2023's NaNoWriMo completed. I had a great book. Then, I started getting all these videos on "Show, Don't Tell." Out of all the videos, only yours gave a concrete example. I still remember my first thought after you gave the second example, showing the difference. Sonofa...I just wrote what is essentially a 60k outline!!! What?! Guess what I've been doing the past couple of months. Expanding on my "outline." Thank you for giving an example so I could understand the difference. It has sure helped immensely!

[@pippaschroeder9660]

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

[@jayingram3326]

Good stuff. I've made a living as a writer since I was in my twentiesl You're right on.

[@treasurearhewoh327]

Abbie I love you so much ❤❤❤❤ you're my hero for this video

[@byteback]

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

[@nourfourti6029]

Thank you for this AMAZING video, Abbie ❤

[@Valthalin]

You should NOT know characters fatal flaws through being told by the author, they should be experienced through reading the story. Boromir from the Lord of the Rings is great for this, his relationship with the Ring is deep, personal, and an outright major part of the story of the fellowship and its breaking into different parts during a climax of internal and external action.

[@Charmian-and-Iras]

Thank you Abbie, I’m looking forward to trying this trick out! ✨🌷⛲️🌸

[@Vormav-Tingel]

Hello from germany. I just watched a lot of your videos and found them great help for me. I don't write a book, but I currently develop a RPG game with a lot of charakters and dialogues and your videos helped me out quite a bit 🙂.

[@SlipsunLightOfHeaven]

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

[@Amilekhumalo-t7j]

ME every time I see a new video uploaded by Abbie *rushes to the video just to say : What's up my friend Abby here and welcome back to WRITERSLIFE WEDNESDAYS where we come together to help you/me make my story matter and make my author dreams come true'' it became a pledge/tradition for me to say. Abby you are amazing in and out you and your sister deserve Oscars fr Love♥ from a 15yr old girl in south Africa

[@debolliff5720]

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

[@sunflower8931]

This video is SO good and helpful, especially because of the examples you show and talk about! Thank you!! 😊

[@Nannartist]

I really enjoy your videos. I like your intros and the way you explain things. The way you use storytelling is really cool. Since I found you earlier this year, I've regnited my passion for writing! ♥♥

[@gabiocampos]

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

[@EyeBallWritesStorys]

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.😁

[@MadHawkMoody]

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

[@happilyevernever4289]

Can u tell us WHEN to show, not tell?

[@L_oliviarodrigosbiggestfan]

Could you do one on how to make good plot twists? In like murder mysteries?

[@ingridf5542]

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😂

[@Stuckathomemom]

But the TELLING sounded SO MUCH BETTER than the showing. The showing bit was sooooo boring. It didn't actually say anything. It just blathered on. Why is Showing so important, when it doesn't actually say anything and is so boring?

[@zombiechik13]

Are Pam and I twins?! hahahaha

[@unicorntomboy9736]

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

[@futurestoryteller]

I wouldn't trust Sanderson's take on show don't tell too much. The guy claims that he doesn't like showing very much because it requires an excess of words. The joke here is Brando-Sando is an infamous over-writer. In one of his classes there was an assignment where they were supposed to write a story 500 words or less in the allotted time. As instructor he chose to participate, when the guest instructor asked him how many words his story was and he responded 648 words, or something. I know this is going to feel like unhelpful advice but it sounds like you either have enough scenes of your character seeking external validation or you don't. One thing you could consider is if, by consequence, your character comes off as one note. Say your character's source of validation is their absent father. The character could seek out external validation mostly from older male role models. Giving the impression that they don't respect the opinions of women. When called out on it they don't know how to defend themselves, because while they are ostensibly not sexist as an absolute bias, they would have no serious defense from the accusation, because they don't understand the source of their unconscious need for validation, therefore it is impossible to explain the real reason. Perhaps they have a sister and don't respect her opinion, and she's the one who accuses them, but they themselves are a woman - or they *do* respect their sister's opinion, because she's family, and that's all they need to say "the idea that I'm sexist is ridiculous"; either way, and not think critically on this clue about what's driving them. This is genuinely how you create complex characters. You present the audience with a scenario where the characters' thinking and behaviors deviate from expectations you, or the culture at large, have already set. That's how I concocted these hypotheticals, because I asked myself if a character is defined by a desire for external validation, what is a scenario where they could explicitly reject external validation, and what would the reason be? Would that create any additional conflicts?"

[@unicorntomboy9736]

@@futurestoryteller When I was in university, majoring in creative writing, I was always told that I had a tendency to over-describe things, and not able to trust the reader enough to engage with the text on their own terms, which I am still trying to work on, in addition to not relying on lazy, well worn tropes i.e lazy writing, and play them straight without much subversion or experimentation, which was another thing I was critiqued about. Brandon Sanderson writes 100,000 word books, so of course he is going to over-write on areas, it's a better problem to have than under-writing. I am a massive Brandon Sanderson fan, and I based my entire final year college thesis about him. My protagonist's fatal flaw in being insecure and desiring external validation from others is meant to fuel their more overtly darker, negative traits later on in the book as a young adult (since it starts out with them as a young teenager) with this fatal flaw getting them into trouble in many ways, such as trusting her creepy, nefarious uncle (who is the primary antagonist) who displays unsettling, creepy behaviour towards the protagonist, who is a young girl, and effectively grooms her, while secretly plotting various schemes to kill her, with the help of a trio of orcs who act as his subordinate, incompetent lackeys.

[@unicorntomboy9736]

@@futurestoryteller I watched all of his online academic lectures, and that guest lecturer you are referring to is a short story writer. Brandon Sanderson writes long 100,000 word novels. Obviously the short story writer is going to have an easier time being more concise, since short fiction writing requires you to do that. Brandon Sanderson said he cannot do short stories very well at all, and I sympathize, because I am the same, I prefer writing longer novels.

[@futurestoryteller]

@@unicorntomboy9736 I don't think this does anything other than support the point I was making.

[@unicorntomboy9736]

@@futurestoryteller It does not

[@rachaelbirch9303]

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!

[@AiringAustin]

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

[@Milkbread1217]

this video came in just as i was about to edit my first draft, perfect timing

[@saracoutinho3139]

Great video as always! Thank you, Abbie ❤

[@robertnguyen9493]

Thank you for this explanation

[@mikewright3029]

Wow! Thank you! :D

[@rachelledellavecchia4951]

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.

[@DylanTrippe]

Lets go!!!

[@sheaporter3609]

Have you ever seen, or could you put together, an outline of story beats for an enemies turned lovers. I'm worried about being able to do it well, and in a way that makes the relationship seem healthy

[@Naomiiiii]

See this is difficult for me to wrap my head around because I am very aware of my own flaws and am very good at calling myself out for destructive behavior because I went on a healing journey where I journaled everyday when life was very dark for me and I eventually got a therapist who told me I could be my own therapist (I still have that therapist). So I find it implausible that others can’t do the same and that we shouldn’t have self-aware characters on the same journey, which my characters are. Being self-aware doesn’t mean your flaws don’t hold you back anymore. Being aware of trauma doesn’t lessen the degree in which trauma affects you, it helps you learn how to react better. I think being self-aware can help your characters grow that much more if they’re willing to do that work. I’m not quite understanding how a character being self-aware falls under telling and not showing. The reader interpreting things about a character is awesome when it happens, but if your character design is someone actively trying to become better and more healed that doesn’t necessarily mean that isn’t being shown to reader va being told. Can anyone elaborate more so I can grasp a better understanding? ✨

[@roguishowl3915]

Everything I’ve been struggling with in my writing for quite a while now, you easily summed up in two sentences. Your videos are a massive help and inspiration to me. Big ❤ from 🇦🇺

[@futurestoryteller]

I genuinely think your revision would have been better if it ended with "I understood what he was saying." Think about this: You say don't editorialize. Your character _can_ editorialize. But the suggestion is that your character can *never* editorialize about a topic of which they are self-aware. Because then it _seems_ like _you_ editorializing. Which suggests that anything a character "editorializes about" is in fact a lie. Which inevitably makes a predictible pattern for the reader. But we can also glean a character's misconceptions from their behaviors and interactions. Her dad tells her that corals can only survive below the surface of the water. We don't need her direct thoughts about how her dad thinks she's weak, because we already understand that his words can be interpreted that way, _and_ you're ostensibly writing a whole book about her operating under that misconception. You are still telling when it's not necessary.

[@MagicStar350]

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

[@EsCrItOr0OB08O]

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?

[@lindaeck9471]

Thanks!

[@evansmcheaven2749]

Hey Abbie, I thanks a lot for all your vids. Those are so helpful. I know it's not the topic but I have a huge problem. I do wanna write multiple stories but once I start one I got bored at some point and I just jump on another one at a point where I've started maybe 10 stories with all the development that goes with it but none is ever finished. Please I desperately need your help. If you should guide to one previous video or if anyone here can give me advice. Thanks ❤

[@WritingTalk]

loved the excerpt comparison. subscribed to your channel to learn more about writing nuances. Thank you for creating this information post

[@cpmow831]

This is very helpful!! I’m doing my first fiction thriller after only writing academic papers on theology. Far different kind of writing, for sure.

[@anayameme4071]

Hello! Thank you very much for this video. As much as I totaly agree, I have to say it's extremely difficult for me not to tell and explain. So here's my question: is it ok, to explain what a character feels and struggles with closer to the end of a book. I've got a heroine who has some fears and doubts and misbelieves, and I made her articulate them in chapter 22 /29 as she acctually comes to revelation of what her real values and goals are. But I still feel as if she was a self-psychologist and not an 18 yr old girl.

[@fallefel8132]

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.

[@futurestoryteller]

You're writing fan fiction aren't you?

[@miaxknight]

hi abbie! im such a fan of your yt channel!!! 🤩🫶🏻maybe u talked abt it in a previous video before , i don't know...but i often wonder, where did you gain so much knowledge and confidence abt all of this writing and psychology subject? did you just self study or did you go for a traditional bachelor's in creative writing or something similar? just wondering what kind of education does one need to become so brilliant and confident!!❤❤

[@RedAngelSophia]

The stuff that you mention in this video can be _especially_ important to remember if you are writing an LGBTQ+ character who isn’t out yet even to themself.

[@trinathebookworm8977]

The phone rang. Charlotte grimaced and pushed the little red button. "What was that face about?" "I can't deal with talking to Mom right now. She can tell someone else all the ways I'm failing."

[@ryderoreilly9807]

Not sure if this was an editorial mistake or intentional, but a 9.40 - when you're reading the "showing" the last line where Papa says, "People aren't kind in the other world." You've spelt it inconsistently by separating the words and not placing them together with a capitalized O.