issue-show-vs-tell – The Book Maven

June 7, 2026

A chorus is a verdict, not a hook. If yours could attach to another song, it isn't earned. ...

June 7, 2026

The error message is the loudest moment in your product. Here's the Maven rule: write the worst moment ...

June 7, 2026

Backstory is the iceberg, not the cruise. Here's the leak rule and the four moments where history earns ...

June 7, 2026

Subtext is the argument they're not having. Here's the Maven subtext map and the prompt that uncovers the ...

June 7, 2026

Show-don't-tell is a suggestion, not a religion. Here's the ten-second test for when telling is the smarter move.

June 7, 2026

You spent four paragraphs showing it was cold. Here are the four scenes where telling wins — and ...

June 7, 2026

One specific image is worth twelve general ones. Here's the five-senses drill that does three paragraphs of work ...

June 7, 2026

Every serious writer eventually hates show-don't-tell. Here's the Maven replacement principle for writers who've outgrown the rule.

June 7, 2026

'My dog is big' is fine. 'My dog stole my sandwich' is better. The kid-sized show-don't-tell drill, with ...

June 7, 2026

Your teacher made show-don't-tell sound like law. It isn't. Here's the ten-second test that beats the rule.

Tag: issue-show-vs-tell