Have you ever tried a writing exercise? One that requires a certain style from you the author? For example, take this prompt:
The girl was excited about riding on the elevator.
Now, try to show (not tell) the girls emotion of excitement. As Flannery O'Connor always says, describing someone or something always begins with the eye. As in, show us certain features that would give away her excitement.
For this writing prompt in particular, I would write something about the girl smiling with two big dimples punctuated on her cheeks. Then I would say how she lets out a shriek and is jumping up and down; but I wouldn't say a shriek of excitement, that would be telling, not showing. Instead, the reader should get from the smile and dimples that the shriek is not from fear, but from excitement.
Try a writing exercise out. It can help the brain get flowing and it can help any writer get better at certain aspects of their writing (whatever the prompt is emphasizing).
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