Emails I Cant Send - Writing Tips

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You've probably heard this a hundred times:
"Show, don't tell."

It sounds deep. Mysterious. Literary. But what does it actually mean?

Let's break it down.

The Basics:

Telling is when you give readers the facts.
Showing is when you reveal those facts through action, dialogue, or description.

Telling:
    •    She was angry.

Showing:
    •    Her hands curled into fists, and she slammed the door without looking back.

Telling:
    •    He was rich.

Showing:
    •    His car purred like a secret as it pulled up. The leather seats still smelled new.

Both get the point across — but one lets the reader feel like they're watching the scene, not being spoon-fed.

But Here's the Twist:

You don't have to show everything.

Some things are meant to be told quickly — like time skips, transitions, or facts that aren't emotionally heavy.

For example:
    •    "Three weeks passed with no word."
    •    "They'd been best friends since kindergarten."
Totally fine to tell those. Trying to "show" everything can drag your story down.

So When Should You Show?
    •    Emotional moments: breakups, fights, reunions, inner conflict
    •    Character dynamics: tension, chemistry, power struggles
    •    Setting the vibe: the mood of a place, the feel of a moment

If it's a turning point, a reveal, or a deep moment — show it.

If it's background, filler, or logistics — tell it and move on.

Quick Tip:

After writing a scene, highlight any emotional line.
Did you tell us how they felt?
Can you show it instead — through a gesture, silence, or reaction?

Readers want to feel the story, not just read it.