Show Don’t Tell is a Myth! Use the Dial Principle

Classic thrillers thrive on tension and suspense. Think flickering lights, footsteps behind a door, or a knife glinting in the dark. These moments can feel immediate and cinematic—but how do you make your readers feel that tension on the page?

It all comes down to showing vs. telling. And the good news? It’s not an either/or choice—it’s more like a dial.

Show Fear Through the Body

Fear isn’t just something a character feels—it’s what their body does. Small physical reactions can instantly convey tension.

Instead of writing “She was terrified”, show it through physical cues:

• Hands trembling

• Eyes widening

• Chest tightening

You can also layer these cues for a more immersive moment, combining body reactions, thoughts, and environmental cues.

Example:

Her eyes locked on the long knife glinting in the drawer, chest tightening, unable to breathe.

Notice how we didn’t say “she was scared.” The fear is immediate and visceral because the reader can see it happening.

Use the Environment to Heighten Suspense

Objects, lighting, and sounds can do half the work of building tension. Your environment can hint at danger, creating suspense without spelling it out.

Example:

The room looked ransacked and a sense of dread settled over her.

But for a more immersive approach, describe what “ransacked” actually means:

Papers lay scattered across the desk, bathed in the glow of two lamps. Drawers stood open, empty. A page had been torn from the notebook on top. “No,” she whispered.

Here, the visual cues paired with the character’s reaction make the suspense cinematic and real.

Balance Showing and Telling

You don’t need to show everything all the time. Sometimes, telling is better for pacing or emotional impact.

Showing for physical and instinctive reactions:

Her stomach sank, hands clenched, and the room seemed to tilt around her as she realized the truth.

Telling for quick emotional punches:

Mark had lied.

By combining showing and telling, you control tension, pacing, and reader engagement.

Putting It All Together

Let’s see how partial showing, full showing, and telling can work together in a single paragraph:

Her hands trembled as a flashlight wavered, shadows flitting against the walls. Papers lay scattered across the desk, a page torn from the notebook, her eyes locked on the long knife glinting in the open drawer, chest tightening, unable to breathe. Mark had lied.

Here, you move from partial showing → full showing → telling. The telling delivers the emotional punch, while the showing builds tension leading up to it. You could even end a chapter here to create a mini cliffhanger.

Key Takeaways for Thriller Writers

• Stop explaining emotion. Let the body and environment do the work.

• Layer cues. Combine physical reactions, thoughts, and surroundings for fully immersive tension.

• Use the showing/telling dial intentionally. Showing heightens stakes and suspense, while telling delivers quick emotional punches.

• Control pacing. Switching between showing and telling can keep your reader engaged and on edge.

As you write your novel, practice layering showing and telling in the same paragraph. It’s a simple tool that makes your suspense feel cinematic and keeps readers hooked.

If you try this in your own writing, share an example in the comments of how you go from telling to showing in one paragraph. And if you found these tips helpful, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more writing advice.

Happy writing!