Show Me the Money, Don't Tell Me About It.

Have you ever watched a movie, let’s say, “Emperor’s New Groove” with someone who has seen it before, and they tell you what is about to happen during the film? Me too! Just because I’ve seen it a million times, doesn’t mean I like to be told what is about to happen. I mean, I can’t completely blame them, they are only kids after all. 😂

In any case, nobody likes to be told what is happening while the event is playing out. As nice as it is to hear about someone going to the Bahama’s, you’d rather be there yourself to get that sun-kissed glow and taste the salt on that martini. Not me, I’d go there looking like the ghost from 'Christmas Past' and return looking like Mr. Krabs.

What I’m getting at is “Show, don’t tell.” This is where a writer gets really invested in their story and begins telling the reader what the character is doing. I’m not talking about point of view. I’m talking about action in a scene and bringing a reader to that moment. Sometimes, as authors, we have to ‘tell’ because that scene is important enough to be in there, but not so important that the reader needs to know every little detail; walking to the store and getting home when nothing happens during then. Unless, of course, the scene is to show the character’s routine, but it doesn’t need to be written over and over again in fine detail. The readers understand.

· Tell: “Mr. Curry stood on the beach and breathed in the air. It was a hot day, but a nice breeze kept him cool.”

· Show: “Mr. Curry inhaled the salty air that tickled his nose. The rhythm of the waves carried him into a place where nothing could go wrong. Heat soaked his flesh, and between his toes, but he didn’t mind; the gentle breeze had a way of keeping him cool.”

As you can see, showing the reader what is happening brings them deeper into your story. It doesn't matter what point of view you use; it works either way. You don’t have to worry about ‘show don’t tell’ when writing your first draft. Just write it and get the story down; you can always fix it later. There will be more on drafts in a different post.

Lastly, just between us, you opened this post because it had the word ‘Money’ in the title, didn’t you? *wink*