When to Show, When to Tell with Rebecca Starford

Join author, editor and teacher Rebecca Starford in this unique writing course all about how to creatively reveal information in your writing.

Anyone who has enrolled in a creative writing course will have heard the phrase: Show, Don’t Tell. But what does this mean in practical terms? And how can you determine when it is best to show, and when it is best to tell?

The aim of this workshop is to decouple notions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ in your writing and to encourage new critical ways of appraising your own work. You will learn how to recognise – and then exercise – techniques that more imaginatively reveal important elements in literature that further develop and improve character, setting and plot.

You'll learn:

• How to distinguish between showing and telling
• How different elements of craft can best produce ‘showing’
• When it is necessary to use telling in your narratives
• Techniques to improve your creative expression

The course is designed to take you 5-6 hours in total, and can be completed in short stages at your convenience.Scroll down to see the full course curriculum and a list of frequently asked questions.

Read an interview with Rebecca about the 'Show, Don't Tell' mantra here.

"I loved how this course went beyond the usual advice to ‘show not tell’ and recognises that telling is important in stories. It’s demystified the difference between show and tell — thank you!"

"A great short course that provides substantial, practical introduction to lots of essential writing topics...I liked the variety of modes of the lessons (video, text, book extracts etc.) that Rebecca presented, and the short bursts of information and exercises kept me engaged."

KYD Members receive a 10% discount on this course and all other KYD online courses throughout the year. Become a member here, or contact [email protected] for more information.

Want to buy a course for a friend? Purchase a gift voucher here.