If there’s one piece of advice I’ve seen a lot as an aspiring writer it’s: show don’t tell. Sometimes, it almost seems like every conversation about writing is just people shouting those three words at each other.

But I know what you’re thinking: That’s because it’s good advice; great even. Of course, and this is especially true for things like movies and TV shows. Those are visual medium so the idea of showing is intuitive, but less so with books. At least it was to me. Frankly, I’m not sure my interpretation is 100% correct. I see the concept as instead of using words that directly tell the reader what you mean, describe what you mean so they can interpret it. For instance, rather than saying “this person is angry”, you could describe their body language.

I think the show don’t tell mantra is flawed for another reason. Books lack the visual punch of a movie, but in a way make up for it by offering far more flexibility in what you can do. In a movie, you can “talk” to two senses: sight and hearing. In writing, you can evoke every sense and beyond. You can describe how awful that pile of rotting garbage smells. You can explain how the wind caresses your protagonist’s skin. When someone drinks a liquid, it’s possible to not only convey its taste but also its texture and thickness. Using all those possibilities can make a story far more immersive.

It goes even further. In a book, not only can you describe the physical world, but you also have unrestrained access to your character’s mind. You are privy to their intimate thoughts and emotions. This kind of access, when used properly, will create a bond between reader and character that movies can only dream of.

Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t use “show don’t tell” as advice anymore, but I feel that when you are a beginner, it can give the wrong impression. As a result, they risk taking it too literally and focus only on sight. That’s a trap I fell into for a while, and now that I’ve emerged from it, my writing improved. Again, “show don’t tell” is excellent advice, so, by all means, continue to trumpet it. Just make sure that the person receiving the advice understands that for books, showing involves so much more than vision.

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