Can anyone give me advice on "showing" rather than "telling/reporting"

[NinjaBerrySharry13]

Hi. I learned I have a problem with "reporting" my stories, rather than describing. How do I get more in depth, suspenseful, and descriptive with my stories and character actions?

[Dabs]

Some people will say show don't tell, and why that's accurate, it's also vague. Here's what I like to do:

Embed yourself in the character. You need to know damn near everything about your character in order to really get in their head and experience what they're experiencing. It's not about observing a character's actions; it's about experiencing them for yourself. Once you can do that you can make other people experience those actions as well.

Also, put your character right in the midst of an interesting situation. That way you won't waste time with meaningless activities and instead you can get right to the meat. That'll help with the depth and the drama.

Description is just a matter of understanding the environment that the characters are in. If you know where they are you can throw in all of the important details and such.

[lalodragon]

Shaun's word on Show don't tell (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/showthread.php?t=159)
Shaun's word on Info Dumps (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/showthread.php?t=160)
Yeah, those are probably the two you want most.
(The word of Shaun. It's scripture.)

[NinjaBerrySharry13]

Thanks guys!