The key to effective creative writing.

Telling: patronises the reader, takes away their ability to make decisions, removes their feeling of ownership of the story their reading. Showing: credits the reader’s intelligence, makes them feel they are in control of their interpretation of the story.

The girls were excited. Giggles and screams filled the arena. The girls held tight to each other in a mock effort to contain themselves. The moment was here.

The pizza was delicious. Steam rising from the melted cheese made my mouth water. The first bite, my teeth sank into the cheese through the tomato sauce and into the moist crust.

He is angry. Sitting at his desk, his jaw tightened. His eyes flashed heat waves at me. The words erupted from his mouth. "I want to talk to you after class." The final hiss in his voice was a warning.

The morning was beautiful. From behind the mountains, the sun peeked brightly through my window. The wind whispered through the trees as the birds sang by my window, gently waking me.

The coffee was enjoyable. She cradled the mug in both hands and leaned her head over the rising steam. Pursing her lips, she blew softly over the clouded surface and let her eyes close. Her shoulders rose slightly as she breathed it in. I lifted the tiny porcelain pitcher and poured a brief arc of white into the black depths of my own cup. She opened her eyes and we looked at each other across the table without speaking.

The chocolate was delicious. ?

The sunset was gorgeous. ?