Show, Don't Tell : Part 1

The Power of Silence in Dialogue

We often think of dialogue as something that’s just about what characters say, but let’s talk about what they don’t say. Silence can be one of the most powerful tools in your writing toolbox. Here’s why:

1. The Unspoken Tension

When characters leave things unsaid, it adds layers to their interactions. Silence can create a tension that’s so thick you could cut it with a knife. It shows things are happening beneath the surface—the real conversation is happening in what’s left unspoken.

Example:

“So, you’re leaving, huh?” He didn’t look up from the table, his fingers tracing the rim of his glass, slow and deliberate. “Yeah.” “Guess I should’ve expected this.” (Silence.) “You’re not mad?” “I’m not mad,” she said, but the way her voice broke was louder than anything she'd said all night.

2. Building Anticipation or Drama

Sometimes silence can heighten the drama, creating a pause where the reader feels like something big is about to happen. You don’t always need words to convey that sense of dread or anticipation.

Example:

They stood there, side by side, staring at the door that had just closed behind him. “You should’ve stopped him.” She didn’t answer. “You should’ve said something.” The room felt colder. “I couldn’t.” (Silence.)

3. Creating Emotional Impact

Sometimes, saying nothing can have the biggest emotional punch. Silence gives the reader a chance to interpret the scene, to sit with the feelings that aren’t being voiced.

Example:

He opened the letter and read it. And then, without saying a word, he folded it back up and placed it in the drawer. His fingers lingered on the wood for a long time before he closed it slowly, too slowly. “Are you okay?” He didn’t answer.

TL;DR

Silence isn’t just a pause between dialogue—it’s a powerful tool for deepening emotional tension, building anticipation, and revealing character. Next time you write a scene, ask yourself: what isn’t being said? And how can that silence say more than the words ever could?

| Diasomnia Harpy Hare animatic 🐉🦇⚔️ 🐊 | Book 7 spoilers |

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This was one big project, but I love how it came out! I’m fairly new to coloring and rendering, so this was quite the task for me. I’ve discovered that Diasomnia isn’t as hard to draw as I thought (except you Silver, you were very difficult to draw). Shoutout to @soleilthedeity (currently banned) for helping me come up with ideas! I hope you guys enjoy the animatic :)

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Malleus is an interesting character, because let’s be honest, he has the emotional maturity of a teaspoon, and I say that affectionately. He’s got a superiority complex, but can you blame him? He’s the crown prince of Briar Valley, naturally he’d at least subconsciously believe that he’s better than others! He pushes people away, not on purpose of course, which leaves him feeling very lonely. People are scared of him, but I feel like Malleus doesn’t completely understand why, what he’s doing wrong. Lilia was never scared of him though, and when he met Yuu, who wasn’t scared of him, he found them amusing, and that amusement slowly grew into affection. He grew attached to them. When he got the news that both Lilia and Yuu were leaving him soon, he felt like that new happiness Yuu gave him and the comfort of Lilia was all going to be ripped away. He doesn’t want to face the idea of things ending, of being alone. But nothing lasts forever.

Worse even is that as prince of Briar Valley, he’s incredibly powerful. His powers are supposed to keep his subjects happy, and he’s used to being able to do pretty much anything with his powers. But he can’t save Lilia, he can’t make him younger, make him healthy, make him stay. In a sense, his overblot kills three birds with one stone! Lilia doesn’t die, Yuu doesn’t leave, and he won’t ever be alone. Plus, they’ll all be “happy”! Except Malleus’ understanding of happiness is shallow, he doesn’t quite grasp it properly. Of course, like all the others, what they did was wrong, but like all the others, I empathize with them and understand why they did what they did. I can relate to Malleus, his desperation, his fear, because at the end of the day he’s still just a child who is going to outgrow everyone he loves.

(Since I play English and read the spoilers, my information/analysis might be wrong! If that’s the case, definitely let me know in the comments. This is all also just my interpretation, so if you disagree with my takes I’d love to hear your interpretation and thoughts!)

my dog chased the afterlife. i chased the memories and bits of pieces he left for me in this world. i miss that big fella..

Orgel Box

“omg you’re so creative. how do you get your ideas” i hallucinate a single scene in the taco bell drive thru and then spend 13 months trying to write it

ms2 spoilers but the scene where oz tells akira about arthur's prophecy and says like "please do not let him turn into stone... he has not yet lived 20 years" or something along those lines. and like. wow. it's just so profound and 'desperate' coming from him.

'desperate' in a way like, considering the way oz has lived his life. he doesn't form bonds or relationships or fails to sustain these bonds; it was always others reaching out to him and not the other way around,,,, then arthur comes into his life and he started finding himself reaching out to take care of arthur and reaching out to others to ask for help on how to take care of arthur LIKE. YOU GUYS GET WHAT I MEANNNN

i just finished watching the newest mahoani ep and the end gave me Food For Thought. because arthur was so distressed about the fact that he has yet to repay oz's kindness to him back in the north, but oz is just glad to see him again, taller, older, and ALIVE. i think the arthur prophecy reveal in ms2 was definitely one of my favorite ms2 moments because you could clearly read into the desperation in oz's lines. his affection for arthur ran deeper than his blood and veins to the point that he was summoned as a central wizard instead of a northern wizard; that's how deep he cares for arthur, deep enough for his pure, full northern roots to get mixed with the central ideals

JUST FRAME THE HALVES AND CALL THEM A WHOLE !

i made this realization almost a month ago about that my extreme liking and obsession towards yanshen is also because of the fact that i like caiowe but unfortunately i do not know anyone who likes both mhyk and thousand autumns so i feel like i'm talking a wall whenever i mention this. anyway, for example:

a-qiao's and cain's constant goodness and perspective on the world, their strong will and determination on their beliefs and morals...

yan wushi and owen enjoying 'good' people straying away from their good character, their eagerness in riling up the person they've taken a liking to (shen qiao and cain respectively), their questionable beliefs and worldview... also the fact that both of them have a child-like personality (as a result of ptsd) LIKE THAT HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD FOR ME. xie ling and kizu owen 🥺

fjkefhdk i'd talk about this more but it's nearly 4 am and i have a class at 10...