Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori
If writing advice and the lingo used in the publishing industry usually sounds like gobbledygook to you, look no further than this Show, don’t Tell Writing podcast. I’m Author, Editor, and Book Coach Suzy Vadori, and I’m absolutely obsessed with helping writers get their ideas onto the page in a way that readers LOVE. If you think Show, don’t Tell is just tired writing advice, prepare to have your eyes opened as I break down the process of applying this key technique in both fiction and nonfiction books, sharing step-by-step actions each week you can take immediately to get closer each week to your wildest writing dreams, whether you’re writing your first book, or your tenth, all while making the process inspiring and fun. If you want your book to get published, read, loved, and shared with readers all over the world, I’ll address the questions that are sooo hard to find answers for. Is your writing good enough to be published in today’s market? What are the unwritten rules that can make agents, publishers, and readers give your book 5-star reviews? Do you have what it takes to make it as a writer? Hint: You definitely do, but nobody is born knowing how to write a terrific book, so join us to give yourself an advantage over all the other books out there by adding to your writing skills, and getting the straight goods on the industry. In this weekly show, I’ll bring you writing techniques, best practices, motivation, inspirational stories from real live authors out there making it in the world, and actionable advice that can help you turn that book you’re writing into the bestseller you know deep down that it can be. I’ll even share the tangible, step-by-step writing advice that I used to escape her daily grind of being a corporate executive to make a living doing all things writing, and living my best creative life. I’ll be interviewing top writing experts and authors who give you the straight goods on what it takes to make it as a writer. Knowing these writing truths has given me the opportunity to work with thousands of writers over the past decade who have seen their writing dreams come true, and doors open for them that they hadn’t even thought of when they started their journey. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels on your book’s draft and get serious about making your writing the best it can be, don't miss an episode – subscribe or follow today, and visit my website at www.suzyvadori.com for more writing resources and updates.
Episodes
On Friday, June 20th, 2025, Suzy held an Open House for her Inner Circle membership program. In addition to a workshop, there was an open Q&A session. Tune in for a frank discussion of writers' most burning questions, including:
- How do I structure my novel?
- How many POVs is too many?
- When do most writers fail?
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/inne...
In this milestone episode, Suzy celebrates reaching 50 years of life, and 50 podcast episodes by looking back at the choices that led her to living her writing dreams. Get ready to embrace taking creative leaps whether you are in your 20s, or 80s (or somewhere in between!) it's never to late to get your story out into the world!
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori....
Defining a Theme or "Takeaway" for your book can help you at any stage of the writing process. In this episode, Suzy dives into how to define your takeaway, why it matters, and how to use it to test each scene. Using the takeaway you can write a book that is laser-focused on your message, and create an experience that readers will love.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www...
Congratulations! Your first book is a success, and you're ready to write book two! But wait... how do you guarantee that readers love book two as much as they loved your first? In this episode, Suzy examines the common pitfalls and how to avoid them when writing a follow-up book in a series.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
In part three of three, Suzy reverses course and shares the times where TELLING is preferred to SHOWING. Take note on when it is appropriate to gloss over details, skip time, and give a little more information in a direct way so that your readers stay informed and engaged in your story.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
In part two of this three-part series, Suzy dives deeper into the practical application of Show, don't Tell. For this lesson, she focuses on the advanced strategies, including how to target specificity, avoid white wall syndrome, and deal with repetitions.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Part 1 of a 3 part series breaking down Show, don't Tell in a way you have never heard before. Using evocative examples, she walks you through the basics, while elevating them to a new level. Whether you've just started writing, or have been writing for years, you will learn something new in this episode.
In part 1, Suzy tackles:
- What is show, don't tell?
- Why should you care?
- Places in your writing t...
In this episode, Suzy chats with Memoirist Candace MacPhie about her journey (both literal and metaphorical) writing her "Back in a Year" memoir series. They talk about setting boundaries when writing a memoir, how to 'kill your darlings,' and the importance of working with a book coach or editor who understands your vision for your story.
Mentioned in the Episode:
In this week's episode, Suzy chats with book coach Julie Artz about her Critique Partner matching program called "CP Meet Cute" (register here!) They discuss the different types of people who read and offer critique, including alpha readers, beta readers, critique partners, book coaches, editors, and agents. If you've ever wondered what the difference is, this is the episode for you. Tune in to fin...
In this week's episode, Suzy chats with Author and Poet Melanie Marttila. They discuss Melanie's journey as a writer, through her adult diagnosis of Autism, and how that shifted how she thought about her writing and how she approaches critique and characterization.
If you've ever been confused by the writing advice "Show, don't Tell" tune in for Melanie's insight on how she approache...
In this episode, Suzy welcomes Mickey Mikkelson, publicist and founder of Creative Edge Publicity which is celebrating 10 years in business, working with creatives. They discuss how publicity efforts can help writers build their brands.
Find out more on his website: https://www.creative-edge.services/
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
In this episode, Suzy sits down with Book Coach Stephanie Dethlefs and they chat about all the things that can get in the way of a writer getting started: both on their book, and during their daily writing practice. Stephanie offers practical and mindset advice to help you overcome the stumbling blocks that are holding you back from writing your book.
Find out more about Stephanie at her website: https://www.stephanie...
In this week's episode, Suzy sits down with Nicole Meier, Author, Book Coach, and Marketing Genius to talk about the dreaded "Author Platform." Listen to learn what a platform is, why you need one, and how you may be already building one without even knowing it.
You can find out more about Nicole's services at https://bookworks.co/
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month a...
This week, Suzy sits down with memoirist Dr. Phyllis Heintz. They discuss the unique journey Dr. Heintz took through her career, witnessing and participating in major medical milestones throughout her years as a candy striper, nurse, teacher, and administrator. Learn how she was able to take these stories and over a span of 10 years compile and shape them into a compelling memoir.
In this special bonus episode join Suzy and her assistant Liz J. Bradley to learn about a charity doing amazing literacy work around the world: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Learn how to support their mission to "Create a love for books and reading – give every child the start they need in education and life." We talk all things reading and Dolly Parton!
On Friday, March 7th, 2025, Suzy sat down with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, a publishing industry veteran with more than four decades of experience, in a live publishing Q&A session. Publishing has evolved from a traditional-publishing-only model to the rise of self-publishing via digital platforms.
If you haven't listened to part one, you can find that HERE.
In part two of this two part podcast Mark answers questions...
On Friday, March 7th, 2025 Suzy sat down with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, a publishing industry veteran with more than four decades of experience, in a live publishing Q&A session. Publishing has evolved from a traditional-publishing-only model to the rise of self-publishing via digital platforms.
In part one of this two part podcast we will share Mark's presentation and conversation with Suzy. During this discussio...
In this episode, Suzy interviews Story Grid Editor Joanne Haines about the Story Grid evaluation process. They discuss how it addresses the 5 commandments of story and how you can apply them to scenes and your overall story. They also discuss how Story Grid approaches the writing advice of "show, don't tell" in a unique way.
Connect with Joanne on her website at https://shelflifeeditorial.com/
🌟 Grab yo...
In this episode, Suzy interviews fellow book coach, Monica Cox about the revision process. They dive deep and explore ideas about how to get yourself in the proper 'reader mindset' and share practical tips for tackling, arguably the most difficult part of the process of writing a book.
🌟 Grab your spot in Suzy's Inner Circle for only $199 USD a month at www.suzyvadori.com/innercircle
Depending on where you are on your writing journey, you may be finding out that writing your book is just the beginning of your journey as a writer. Finishing a book is a huge accomplishment, requiring significant time, energy, focus, and love. Job number one in a writer’s life is getting that darned book finished, polished, and then out into the world. But the reality in today’s market, whether you publish traditiona...
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