Step Into Their Shoes: Unlocking Show-Don’t-Tell Through Perspective
- Jacquelyn Lee
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Have you ever read a story that felt flat, as if the characters were just moving through the motions? What if, instead of telling readers what a character thinks or feels, you could invite them to experience the moment as if they were there?
Most writers have heard the advice “show, don’t tell.” But this is more than just a technical choice; it’s about shifting your perspective. When you step into a character’s shoes and experience the world through their senses, you create scenes that become more vivid and feel real. Stories can come alive when you let the readers be there, moment by moment. (Here’s a quick introduction on Show-Don’t-Tell in fiction writing.)
In this blog, we’ll explore how perspective, the five senses, and the ageless questions of Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How can help you create scenes that step deeper into your characters’ lives. When you finish, you’ll have everyday tools to unlock and create stories that readers won’t want to put down.
The Power of Perspective
Stories come alive when you write from inside your character’s viewpoint. Instead of hovering above them, imagine being them and step right into their shoes and experiences. What do they notice first? What details stand out to them that another character might ignore?
Imagine a scene from different roles: a parent, a child, a friend, or even a stranger.
>>Picture a parent shuffling into their child’s room at sunrise, noticing the alarm clock blinking red and a pile of clothes on the floor. Meanwhile, the child buried under the blanket only feels the warmth of their bed and the sting of sunlight sneaking past the blinds. The same moment feels different in every set of shoes.
Mix your character’s emotions with your own to find the heart of the moment.
>>The parent’s voice sounds steady, but inside, their stomach twists with worry over being late again. The child groans, cheeks flushed with sleep, torn between comfort and responsibility. Their overlapping emotions turn a simple wake-up call into a moment full of tension, care, and everyday love.
Let their identity and beliefs color every observation.
>>The parent, who values discipline and punctuality, sees the messy room as a problem to fix. The child, craving freedom and comfort, views the same space as their safe haven. Their identities steer what they notice and how they react, giving the scene layers that go far beyond the surface.
Whose shoes can you step into in your next story?
Engage the Five Senses
Writing tends to flatten when we only rely on sight. To truly show, not tell, bring into play more than one of the five senses. Think about how coffee smells in the early morning, how gravel crunches underfoot, or how a room feels heavy with silence.
Aim to include at least two non-visual senses in each scene.
Use metaphors that link senses to emotions.
Replace vague words like “nice” or “bad” with sensory details.
Which sense do you use least in your writing? Challenge yourself to blend it into your next draft.
Using the 5W’s and How
Perspective deepens when you answer the classic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Each one of these can work in shaping a scene. And, best of all, they work!
Here’s how they work:
Who: Who is seeing this moment, and what feelings or biases do they bring?
What: What’s happening, right here and now?
When: When in time does this scene take place? Consider the season, the time of day, or even the historical context.
Where: Where is the character? Does the setting shape their thoughts or mood?
Why: Why does this moment matter to them? What’s at stake, whether big or small?
How: How does their environment or personal history influence their perceptions and choices?
Pick a current scene of your draft. Can you rewrite it, answering all six?
Dialogue and Subtext
Characters don’t always say exactly what they mean. The space between words often carries the emotional weight. Subtext lets readers feel without being told.
Let actions and pauses speak louder than adverbs.
Try writing a moment as a screenplay: focus on what’s seen, heard, or felt physically.
Trim filler words like “just,” “really,” “um,” or “sort of” and let silence speak.
How can you let your next line of dialogue hint at what’s not being said?
Switching Roles: A Creative Exercise
One of the best ways to understand a character: switch roles. Write the same moment from two different perspectives. You’ll see how details shift and how empathy grows.
Take a simple situation like waking someone up and write it through both people’s eyes.
Notice how priorities and emotions change.
Use this to enrich conflict, intimacy, or tension.
Which of your characters deserved their own retelling of a scene?
Seeing Through New Eyes
By stepping into your characters’ shoes, using the senses, asking the 5W’s and How, and adding dialogue with subtext, you unlock the difference between flat telling and immersive showing. Fiction becomes more than a series of events – It becomes a lived experience.
YOUR TURN TO BE INSPIRED
What scene in your current draft could be transformed if told from another perspective? Try rewriting it, paying attention to the details that your character would notice.
Share your observations with your writing group or journal about the difference. The more you practice, the more natural “show-don’t-tell” will become.
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Additional Resources / References
Jacquelyn Lee is a writer and creator passionate about exploring the connections between environment, relationships, health, and personal growth in everyday life. She shares inspiration, tools, and stories to help others discover their unique voice.
Want more inspiration for your life or writing journey? Visit Jacquelyn’s website The LifeCycles Hub, where she explores the cycles and sparks of creative living on her blog. You can also learn about her upcoming book projects here.
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