Show, Don’t Tell – A Parent’s Sorrow

Describe a single, quiet moment in which a character’s grief over the loss of their child becomes apparent without using the words ‘sad’, ‘grief’, or ‘loss’.

In dramatic writing, one key strategy is “showing” rather than “telling” the emotions of your characters. This prompt challenges you to use subtlety and context to convey a deep, complex emotional state. Consider the environment, actions, and indirect forms of communication as vehicles to show your character’s emotions. Explore how pain and sorrow can change a person’s outlook, behavior, and interaction with their surroundings.