The Most Important Narrative Tool No One Told You About

"When we narrate stories that have had a huge impact on our lives, we can pass the feeling we have experienced to other people too."
The Art of Storytelling: The Mechanics of a Great Story
The best content writers are empathetic listeners.
We need to cultivate our ability to tune into the needs of others, and then use our creativity and insight to build helpful, meaningful resources that respond to those needs. When it comes down to it, all good writing, no matter the topic, structure, word choice, or purpose, makes you feel
... See moreThis leads me to a set of guidelines on when to “show” and when to “tell.”
After years of wrestling with these rules, I’ve come to believe:
After years of wrestling with these rules, I’ve come to believe:
- Show to create emotional subtext . This is about reader engagement. When you show a character’s external behavior (pen clicking) rather than stating their internal state (anxious), readers get to interpret and
The most misunderstood writing advice
So let’s unpack this.