HOW TO USE "SHOW, NOT TELL" AMONG OTHER ELEMENTS IN NARRATIVES - written by jrqc

When writing a narrative, I basically rely on metaphors, "show, not tell", as well as imagery, mainly because it is important to rely on the feelings and perceptions of the character and bring them to life. In the following narrative, you may find some examples (further explained at the end of the text).

"She would at least question herself and her own existence, and it would not matter to what resolution she might come to: she would never be satisfied with a mere notion of existing which most of the times translated into pleasing others, and wearing a mask to the theater of life. No. She deserved more than that precarious notion which she thought, felt like an insult. However, what else was there than to the pleasures of the flesh, which she had no regrets of, but most importantly those of the soul, the feelings, experiences, and notions that give the soul more substance and makes it even stronger, and what about the nutrients for her knowledge of her brains, the things of the world of which she showed a ceaseless desire of devouring, innards and all that come of it? - She sighed, lips pressing and turning down at the corners. -

A cup of tea served by the maid rested on a tray. She sipped its contents and the liquid warmed her throat, pleasing that desire of comfort and cosiness as she peered to the cold and grey world outside through her window.  Her green eyes mirrored the cinematic of comings and goings of the people outside and whatever reigned in their lives in that moment. She sympathised with her husband's cat as it would do exactly the same as her: Stand by the window and let the world pass by.

She squinted her eyes as if trying to make out what she was seeing, however it was just a moment of realization. Her heart started to race faster and her thoughts became torrents of ideas that took shape in liberty and adventure and of things she had certainly never done before. A smirk found its way in her stern-looking face and the scowling expression turned into that of mischief satisfaction. Her muscles tensed for a brief moment as she tossed the cup of tea on the tray, she let her shiny hair loose as her heart pumped blood faster through her body. It was her moment. It was then or never."

ABOUT THE TEXT 

The text explores the thoughts and feelings of a woman who is dissatisfied with the notion of merely existing for the sake of pleasing others and wearing a mask to the theater of life. The woman desires more substance for her soul, more experiences and knowledge to strengthen her being. The text ends with the woman experiencing a moment of realization and embracing a sense of adventure.

There are some examples of "show, not tell" in the text. Rather than directly stating the woman's emotions and thoughts, the text describes her actions and physical reactions, allowing the reader to infer her inner state. Here are some examples:

"Her muscles tensed for a brief moment as she tossed the cup of tea on the tray, she let her shiny hair loose as her heart pumped blood faster through her body." This sentence shows the woman's physical reaction to her moment of realization, rather than directly telling the reader what she is feeling.

"A smirk found its way in her stern-looking face and the scowling expression turned into that of mischief satisfaction." Instead of telling the reader that the woman is feeling mischievous and satisfied, the text shows the change in her facial expression as evidence of her emotional state.

"Her green eyes mirrored the cinematic of comings and goings of the people outside and whatever reigned in their lives in that moment." This sentence uses a metaphor to show how the woman is observing the world outside her window, without directly stating her thoughts or emotions.

"She sympathised with her husband's cat as it would do exactly the same as her: Stand by the window and let the world pass by." This sentence shows how the woman sees a similarity between herself and the cat, without directly stating her feelings or thoughts.

"She sipped its contents and the liquid warmed her throat, pleasing that desire of comfort and cosiness as she peered to the cold and grey world outside through her window." This sentence shows how the woman is seeking comfort and warmth, without directly stating that she is feeling cold or unhappy with the weather outside.

"Her heart started to race faster and her thoughts became torrents of ideas that took shape in liberty and adventure and of things she had certainly never done before." This sentence shows the physical reaction of the woman's heart racing, rather than directly telling the reader that she is excited or thinking of new possibilities.