16.Show 

KEEP YOUR READER INVOLVED

Show your reader how something happens. For example, 'She was delighted to see him' – in what way was she delighted exactly? Did she run up to him and give him a hug? Or did she simply give him her largest smile?

Tell them, so that they know. Don’t let them imagine it their way – it’s your story, you tell it.

Although it may be necessary at times to tell something in this way, this should be infrequent; and even then, elaborate immediately afterwards. If you say 'Jane was horrified' explain in which way she was horrified. Just like you did when you told us that your character smelled John’s hair and then explained how he/she felt about it.