Sometimes You Just Need to Get to the Point: When Telling Is the Right Move
- Bair Klos
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
Ever read a book where the author described every single blade of grass for five pages? Yeah, sometimes you just need to get to the point (looking at you Tolkien...). And Robert Jordan, I love you, but I don’t need to know the exact embroidery on every noble’s sleeve.
Not every moment in your story deserves a deep dive. If your character is walking through a door, you don’t need to describe the grain of the wood unless it matters. Just let them walk through the damn door. Pacing matters, and sometimes, “They traveled for three days in silence” is all you need. No one wants to read about every rock on the road.
Writers are constantly told to “show, don’t tell,” but guess what? Sometimes, telling is the smarter move. Let’s talk about when to tell, how to tell effectively, and why knowing the difference is the key to strong storytelling.
What Is Telling? (& How It Differs from Showing)
Much like how I will keep this blog post, telling is straightforward, efficient, and to the point. Instead of immersing readers in sensory details, telling delivers information quickly so the story can move forward.
Example of Telling:
She was exhausted but kept running.
Example of Showing:
Her legs burned with every step, breath hitching in her throat. The world blurred at the edges, but she pushed forward.
Telling gives facts. Showing gives experience. But that doesn’t mean telling is bad—it just serves a different purpose.
Why Telling Is an Essential Storytelling Tool
Telling gets a bad rap, but it’s a necessary part of storytelling. If you showed every single moment in full sensory detail, your book would be a thousand pages long, and readers would get bored.
Here’s why telling is useful:
It speeds up pacing – No one wants to read five pages about someone packing a suitcase.
It summarizes unimportant details – Not every meal needs to be described like a feast from Game of Thrones.
It keeps focus on what matters – Sometimes, the outcome is more important than the process.
Good storytelling balances showing and telling. Knowing when to tell is just as important as knowing how to show.
When & Why You Should Use Telling?
Here are the best times to use telling in your writing:
1. Summarizing Events & Skipping the Boring Stuff
Not every event needs to be fully fleshed out. If a scene doesn’t add tension, character development, or key plot points, summarize it and move on.
The journey took three days, cold and miserable, but uneventful.
This avoids unnecessary filler. If something exciting had happened, you’d want to show it instead.
2. Transitions & Time Jumps
When your story moves forward in time, telling helps bridge the gap.
Months passed, and winter set in.
Do we really need to experience every day of those months? No. Just tell us time has passed and get to the good part.
3. When the Action Matters More Than the Details
Sometimes, what happens is more important than the experience of it happening.
He signed the contract and sealed his fate.
Instead of showing the entire scene, this single sentence conveys weight and finality.
4. When Creating Narrative Distance (Objective Storytelling)
If you want an objective, distant narrator (common in literary fiction or historical storytelling), telling can work to create that detached feel.
The kingdom fell into ruin after the war.
This feels more distant and factual than a deeply immersive scene.
5. Internal Thoughts & Quick Emotional States
Telling is useful for brief internal thoughts or emotions—especially when you don’t want to drag the moment out.
She hated him.
Regret filled his chest, but he turned away.
Short, punchy telling delivers impact without slowing the pace.
How to Tell Effectively Without Making It Dull
Telling only becomes a problem when it feels lazy, distant, or flat. Here’s how to use telling well:
Make It Punchy – Keep it brief and impactful. “The war lasted a decade, and millions died.” That’s powerful.
Blend Show & Tell – Sprinkle in sensory details to keep it engaging.
Use Strong, Active Language – Instead of “She felt scared,” try “Fear gripped her chest.”
Know When to Step Back – Sometimes, less is more. If the moment doesn’t need depth, just tell it and move on.
Writing Exercises: Mastering Intentional Telling
Knowing when to tell instead of show is a skill that strengthens your storytelling, keeping your pacing tight and your readers engaged. Now, let’s put this into practice. The following exercises will help you sharpen your instincts on when to summarize, when to immerse, and how to balance both for maximum impact.
Exercise #1: Condense the Scene
Take a drawn-out passage from your WIP and rewrite it in 1-2 sentences. Focus on keeping clarity, impact, and pacing.
Before (Too Much Showing):
The sun sank below the horizon, casting an amber glow over the endless waves. He walked along the shoreline, each step leaving a fading imprint in the damp sand, the salty breeze biting at his skin.
After (Effective Telling):
He walked the beach at sunset, lost in thought.
Reflection: Did you keep the essential feeling of the moment while making it more concise?
Exercise #2: Identify Weak Telling vs. Strong Telling
Rewrite these flat telling sentences into strong, engaging ones:
The city was in ruins.
She was heartbroken.
They argued all night.
Challenge: Can you make these short but vivid without over-explaining?
Exercise #3: Find the Balance
Write a short paragraph using both showing and telling. See if you can:
Start with a brief telling sentence.
Expand with one sensory detail to add depth.
End with another short telling statement for impact.
She had never been so afraid. The walls of the tunnel pressed in, damp and suffocating. A single breath—then she ran.
Concluding Thoughts
Telling isn’t the enemy of good writing—bad telling is. When used intentionally, telling tightens pacing, clarifies information, and keeps your story moving. The trick is knowing when to immerse readers and when to just get to the point.
Good storytelling isn’t about never telling—it’s about striking the right balance.
“Good writing is not just about what to include, but what to leave out.” — Mark Twain
What’s a scene in your story where telling actually worked better than showing?
Let’s talk in the comments!
Happy writing!
—Bair✍︎
P.S.
If you've gotten this far, check out my other two posts on how to effectively "show" in your writing and get a deeper understanding of why showing AND telling are important:
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