What are some things you did as a writer in the past that you would not do now?

“Show don’t tell.”

When I first started writing out my novels I took it to heart to “show don’t tell.”

That was the advice every English teacher vows. Every professor preaches. Every writing advice you find online.

I closed my eyes, and tried to envision what my character’s setting looked like. The way every dimple frowned, or the way the sky illuminated, or the fragrance of a chanting spell, or the haunting hallucinations. Honestly, I was so immersed that I could write those few minutes into 500–1,000 words.

But, what I began to realize as I’ve written my first drafts, was after hearing someone comparing WebNovels to classic literature.

“WebNovels are so fun to read! Not those boring Moby Dick or Frankenstein that has thick texts of descriptions for three pages…”

My face turned red.

I thought: Right…that’s so obvious…I’m writing exactly like those authors…

Now don’t get me wrong. I love my Jane Eyre and Crime and Punishment. About to read Monte Cristo soon myself.

But no one teaches you how to APPLY “show don’t tell.” WebNovels are different, but this advice applies now to every writer.

Sometimes we’re so focused on “show don’t tell” that they start to look like FILLERs to the readers. As much as you want the reader to know every detail in your scene so that their imagination is playing exactly like yours, they’ll struggle through your story. But then again, you have the other side of the spectrum where people do “tell don’t show”.

So you have to meet in the middle.

To use lengthy “show don’t tell”s matters most when a particular MOMENT is important.

The rule of thumb would be if it moves the plot, or the setting reflects some foreshadowing, use a lengthy “show don’t tell”. OR, after taking a break and you come back with fresh eyes, ask yourself: do they understand the action or the vibe? If you’re second guessing yourself on those two things, then you might want to change something up about it.

But to use “tell don’t show” is also key.

If you have written something lengthy, the rule of thumb would be to step back and ask yourself: does it affect the delivery if I cut this short? If you were to describe a haunting room, you wouldn’t need to describe every crack in the ground looking like deep crevices that stare deep into your soul. No. Sometimes simplicity is best. There’s no need to drag it on especially if you have a haunting house not just a haunting room.

It makes it easier on your readers to follow your story, but it almost makes it much easier on yourself to not force a flowery/prose language every paragraph.

Meet in the middle.