We’ve all heard the saying show, don’t tell. Even as I edit, I find instances where I need to point that out. However, telling does have a purpose. It’s about how it’s used. And perhaps understanding it more will help writers know when and when not to use it.
There are two main concepts where telling can work:
Skip to important Scenes
Every scene should drive the plot forward. We don’t need to see the character getting coffee or sitting in traffic. Unless something major happens, write a few telling sentences and skip to the next important thing.
Establishing groundwork
Telling the story’s foundation in a few sentences works as well. Some stories start with a telling sentence about the setting. You can also sneak in a few lines of a character’s backstory through telling sentences.
These aren’t the only ways it can work, but they are the two main ways I’ve seen it done well.
Have another way or a question? Leave a comment below!
Robin LeeAnn 
“I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.” – Walt Whitman
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That’s a great quote!
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I thought the words were apt for your article..
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I think writers have heard the “show don’t tell” so often that some can overuse it. I like a story that delves into a character’s internal dialogue, and it’s hard to show that. I think it’s a balancing act between narrative and action, and the best writers do it well.
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I agree! It is a difficult balancing act to learn.
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