How to fix a novel that is telling not showing?

In a story, showing and telling serve to convey the message. Telling can quickly get across important facts or background. For instance, 'The town was small and quiet.' But showing allows for a deeper understanding. By showing, say, the empty streets with only a few old men sitting outside their houses and the lack of any bustling noise, we can really feel the essence of the small, quiet town. It enriches the story and helps the reader better connect with the story's world.

For effectively achieving the purpose of showing and telling in story, practice is crucial. Read a lot of stories to see how other authors do it. Notice how they mix showing and telling. In your own writing, start with the basics. When you want to describe a character's emotion, like anger, don't just say 'He was angry'. Show it by writing 'His face turned red, his fists clenched and he shouted at the top of his lungs.' For telling, use it to move the story forward. If there's a long journey, you can tell 'They traveled for days' and then show some details of the journey later. This way, you can create a well - rounded story.

Showing in a story is more engaging. It allows readers to experience the events and emotions directly. For example, instead of saying 'She was sad', you could write 'Tears welled up in her eyes and she stared blankly into the distance'. Telling, on the other hand, is more straightforward and can be used for quick information. But showing usually makes the story more vivid and immersive.

Showing a story is like painting a picture in the reader's mind. For example, instead of saying 'He was sad', you can write 'His shoulders slumped, and a single tear rolled down his cheek.' Telling, on the other hand, is more straightforward, like simply stating facts. Showing engages the reader more as it makes them feel as if they are experiencing the story directly.

Use detailed descriptions. For example, instead of saying 'The room was dirty', say 'The floor was littered with crumpled papers, old food wrappers, and there was a thick layer of dust on every surface'. Also, show emotions through actions. Instead of 'He was happy', write 'He grinned from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling as he skipped down the street'.

Use detailed descriptions. Instead of 'The room was messy', say 'Clothes were strewn across the floor, books lay open and askew on the desk, and empty cups dotted every surface.' Also, show emotions through actions. Instead of 'She was angry', write 'She slammed the door and stomped across the room.'

Well, you could try developing the characters more deeply. Make them more complex and relatable. Also, vary the pacing - sometimes speed things up, sometimes slow them down for added tension. And don't forget to add some humor or mystery elements to make it more interesting.

First, analyze the plot and characters to see if they lack depth or development. Add more details and subplots to enrich the story.

Another aspect is the writing style. Check for grammar mistakes, repetitive words or phrases, and aim for clear and engaging prose. Also, consider getting feedback from others to get fresh perspectives on what needs fixing.

Basically, showing makes the reader experience the story as if they're there. It's more immersive. Like, 'The rain pelted against the window, and he shivered.' That's showing. Telling is more like, 'It was a rainy and cold day.' It's less vivid and engaging.