Joy Don Baker The four young women in the Nurseketeers series were born one afternoon at the movies. I arrived early for a chick flick, although I no longer remember its title. With a journal in hand and time before the show, I found something else to watch. Four women entered the theater and sat several rows below me. The five of us were the only people in the theater. As they talked amongst themselves, I took notes. I identified each woman by her hair color or clothing. Ms.

“Show, don’t tell” is good advice, until it becomes a blunt instrument. Telling can be elegant, efficient, and emotionally sharp. The real goal is control: choosing when to summarize and when to dramatize. Below are practical before-and-after fixes you can apply immediately, plus a simple decision rule for when to show and when to tell. First: when telling is the right tool Telling is often best for transitions, time jumps, compressing routine, and keeping pace. If the moment