: Re: Why are writers so hung up on "show versus tell"? I write primarily science, which I readily admit can be very bland. On occasion I read fiction, but have found over the years that my tastes

@Ravi5107385

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Overly descriptive scenes leave me wanting less; I don't read many
newer novels because they spend way too many pages describing things
instead of developing and telling an intriguing plot with twists and
turns.

Overly descriptive scenes

Those overly descriptive scenes are the "tell" that the show don't tell phrase is talking about.

Show Don't Tell

bad / tell:

He felt sad that he had been rejected by the beautiful woman.

The author has told you how he felt. He has not allowed the character to act it out before you to expose the story to you.

better / show:

Stanley looked up at the beautiful red-head standing in front of him.

"Would...would...would you like to go out for a drink, Margaret?"

Margaret wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something bad. "Uh,
you're just not my type, Stanley." She scurried over to the office
printer and fumbled with its buttons.

Stanley let his shoulders fall and he slouched over as he scuffled
back to his desk. He sat down in his chair and dropped his head to his
desk and sniffed as a tear formed in his eye.

Use more exposition -- describing things as they happen in front of the reader

than you use narrative -- telling the reader what happened.

Really, what you want is more exposition -- more seeing it played out in front of you and less narrative -- less of the author telling you something.

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