Is Telling Really That Bad?
Worldbuilding
While “show, don’t tell” implies that we should never tell, there are times when it is appropriate. However, we need to keep in mind that showing dramatizing scenes, and telling informs our readers.
As a writer, you may have created a unique world. While worldbuilding is common in genres like science fiction and fantasy, it’s also important in any story that takes place in a setting unfamiliar to your readers. Even stories set more than a decade ago might have different technology and contexts that need to be explained to readers.
All your characters have a history that has shaped them into the people they are by the beginning of the story. All that backstory needs to be explained, right?
Why Telling has a bad rap
(I could tell you, but instead I’m going to show you.)
Galahad, having just killed the king’s personal guards, sprinted into the king’s private quarters.
He climbed the steps and came to a heavy wooden door, which he kicked open.
Inside was the king, gorging himself on a greasy meal.
In an instant the king was on his feet and drew his sword—the sword of Andorra.
The sword of Andorra had been fashioned 800 years ago out of the finest Valerian steel for King Alfred the First.
It had been passed down from king to prince for generations.
Legend has it that King Albert the Fourth used it to strike down a dragon and that the sword’s guard is made of three dragon scales.
King Francis the Second adorned the grip with the finest jewels from his homeland of Vestania.
The next owner of the sword…
The problem with exposition is that it stops the story and takes a detour.
The reader is (hopefully) immersed in the story, but then is yanked out of it so they can be informed about important details. This change of pace can be very jarring and unpleasant, especially during parts of the story full of action and suspense.
Telling must serve the story
Authors love their imaginary worlds. They’ve invested so much time and effort into building a complex and intriguing setting that they want to share it with readers.
As writers, we have honestly answer the following questions:
- How much of the backstory is truly important to the story?
- Am I really sharing this so readers will appreciate the effort taken to create it?