Why do expert fiction writers often give conflicting and contradictory > advice to novice writers?

Specific Details Fail

Because advising writers often focus on specific details.
They focus on things like :
what kind of writing instrument should you use?
when should you write?

When they should be concentrating on showing writers common usages that work and why.

Common Usages

Show, Don't Tell
Avoid Adverbs, Use Strong Verbs
Use Active Language Over Passive

These are a few. They are not rules. They are guides.
It takes more work to describe these things also and most advising authors dont want to take that time.

less good / 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.

Examples Are Not Always Great

Additionally, examples are not always great (due to time constraints) so learners may not consider the better example good and may think the whole thing is bunk anyways.

Passive v. Active

Passive - The man was punched in the nose.

Active - Bart punched Albert in the nose.

You can tell who was punched. Now the scene is happening to someone.

Even better, have a POV character.

Bart punched Albert in the nose. Albert fell back into the chair
behind him and clutched his face. Did Bart know about Lisa? Albert looked up at Bart. "Why'd you go and do that?"

It takes a lot of work to actually describe these foundational things which are basics of storytelling. And, even then people get caught up on them.
But, there are some things that can get a person writing better stories faster.

I learned these from the books of writer Gary Provost. Read the excerpt from Make Every Word Count and I'm sure you'll agree there are some things that can be taught. Gary was a master at teaching those things.

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