“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” - Anton Chekhov

Showing sets a virtual movie camera onto the scene. You as the writer then record in words exactly what it sees. Best of all, this “camera” can record not only sight but all five senses.

Writing “the house was creepy” is telly. It doesn’t reflect anything the mental camera recorded—it’s an interpretation all by itself.

Use physical details that express how creepy the house is. The shingles are askew and the windows smashed, with pointed shards still clinging to some panes. Cobwebs drape across the porch. Add sounds and smells that send a chill up the reader’s back.

Telling is fine for armatures, but when you need to capture your readers attention use similes, metaphors, and vivid imagery to paint a picture.

Jacob

A simple metaphor can improve your writing by drawing vivid pictures in your reader’s mind, helping you to effectively communicate your thoughts and feelings. A metaphor’s power lies in its assertion of the similarities between the subject and the object of a sentence. The subject of the sentence borrows the attributes of the object by claiming that the subject is equal to the object. Thus, when using a metaphor, the subject only needs a brief description because it inherits the attributes of the object.

Consider this metaphor: Time is a thief. How well did I just describe time? What does this metaphor assert are the similarities between the subject and object of the sentence, time and a thief? This example illustrates how combining a few simple words in a simple metaphor can elicit powerful associations and emotions.

Every literary tool, including metaphors, should be used to enhance the elements of your story, such as the conflict, plot, setting, dialog, and achievements of the characters. Using metaphors appropriately will make your writing more interesting and entertaining. What is your favorite metaphor?

Jacob