Showing is illustrated through actions and interiority rather than the author telling us how the character is reacting and behaving. Here are five danger zones to watch out for. 1. Action : Don't tell us what a character does; describe what constitutes the action. Telling : Dick worked hard. Showing : Dick wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve. He lifted the axe and swung: thunk, swipe, thunk. The chunk of wood sheared into small pieces. Each blow reverberated through his shoulders and back. Telling : Jane walked quickly through the aisles, tossing in items without looking at them. Showing : Jane strode down the aisles, grabbing boxes of cereal and crackers and cans of soup, reaching for familiar colors and logos, more concerned about getting back to the case than her menu plans for the week. 2. Emotions: Show the emotion, don't name it. Telling : Jane felt sad. Showing : Jane sat at her desk, staring at the coffee ring on the scarred ...