I have had this question constantly popping into my thoughts when trying to decide on the style, and how to write my novel. Firstly I like the novel that transports you to the exact place and time period the author is trying to express. Where you get to feel, smell, and almost sense you are there. But then you get the advice regarding creative writing that you should "Show don't tell" this is the golden rule to some. Yet I like to tell, I like to describe in detail certain events, or how the people are dressed. I also like to be told the structure of the novel, I know that it is also good to let your reader have their own view on certain aspects of the story. Like a character, you don't have to go into grate depths of depravity to show the bad guy, but you can let the reader build up in their own mind of how deprived the bad guy is. Also Introduction's, I have read many books that have an introduction but yet I have been give the advice that if you need an Introduction then there is something wrong with the novel. Yet if you have an introduction you are setting the novel up, by the very word "Introduction" you are letting the reader get a feel for the novel, without it sounding like "Once upon a time" also you can use a prologue for your novel. This is were I find the advice confusing and contradictory so could somebody please help me.
I forgot to ad Flashbacks
Basically, a storyline should be as straight and as simple as you can make it, but no simpler. You cannot leave the reader guessing. You know what you mean, and what is in your mind, But The Reader Doesn't.
Write as if the reader has no historical, contemporary, geographical, scientific, or general knowledge of the background to your story. By adding layers to the story, and flesh to the characters bones, there should be no room for confusion.
Examples of when to Show Don't Tell.
1) Streams of Thought: Use characters’ streams of thought to SHOW people their inner world; perhaps reveal things that would not be revealed in any other way.
2) Dream sequences: SHOW the future, or the protagonists sub-conscious thoughts and emotions.
3) Dialogue: It is vitally important to have your characters talk to each other. Define your characters by their actions, and by what they think and say about each other.
4) The actions of characters. Focus the readers like and dislike in your characters. SHOW how the characters function. Elianor is sensible, Marianne is over-emotional, Macbeth is ambitious, etc.
5) Characters sensory perceptions: Descriptions of your characters’ surroundings. What they see, hear, touch, taste, smell. Use vivid descriptions. Use real life experiences to describe characters, scenes and locations.
6) Descriptions of specific objects essential to the storyline: Show a piece of jewellery, a painting, or an entrance to a building.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.
I would like to thank all of you for the advice and for taking the time to respond to my questions. I have definitely got food for thought and will look more at the aspects of the " show not tell ". I do think though its down to " as and when" each author will have their own take on how and when to use the "show not tell" method.
I also feel, and again would like to know if I'm off the mark here. That it depends on the type of story you are telling. If you are telling a story over a certain period of history, then the reader might already have their own feel and sense of that period. But if your story has layers of intrigue and subterfuge, then by not telling certain aspects and leaving it to see. There could be the chance that your reader might get lost in the plot of the story. On a personal view I find it unrewarding and not enjoyable, when sometimes you have to flick back a few pages, because your not sure of what was said, or where somebody had come from because they have been out of the picture for a while. But hey I might be talking dribble and not have a clue what I'm talking about. Its just some books get grate reviews and have so many star ratings, you have to have a read. Then you get disappointed by the book itself and its like treading water. Please tell me that the style of writing and the genre plays a big part in the "show and tell" usage, I assume at some point in writing the reverse will apply where you " tell not show". Could you tell me if this could be the case and, when would it be used and in what field or context. I thank you all again for your thoughts and advice. The reason I am asking might seem clear when I tell you I'm doing an OU course in creative writing, so I'm seeking advice to help me in my future course work.