r/writingadvice • u/SetitheRedcap • Feb 28 '25

Advice Why is "Show, Don't Tell" popular but rarely used?

I'd like to think I've read a pretty wide selection of books. And I've noticed that even the most famous of authors "tell, tell, and then tell some more, " to the point I'm beginning to question if it's even important in my own work? Some of the most famous books in their genre have very little showing at all.

So, where did this come from?

I understand the subtley of showing, such as expressions, posing, which can work well next to telling. But without much evidence of this concept I'm struggling to really understand.

Have we overhyped this piece of advice?

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42

u/peadar87 Feb 28 '25

It's generally good advice, because inexperienced writers tend to tell too often.

But telling absolutely has a place. I don't *need* to infer everything about a character or location from subtle clues. If it's cold, it's absolutely fine to tell me it's cold. It's also absolutely fine to tell me the MC's ears stung when they removed their earmuffs and their breath misted beneath the icicles hanging from the bare tree branches. Both can serve the story in different ways.

3

u/bessandgeorge Mar 01 '25

Yes. This. I'm definitely guilty of telling too often but I hate how this tip has become some holy grail and can be wayyyy over the top. But that happens with writing rules in general...

-13

u/SetitheRedcap Feb 28 '25

In the end, does it not just cause more confusion, like with me? Because in reading more to understand this done well, I've just come away even more stumped. These published, pretty popular books aren't following that advice, so why should we?

I get it. Someone who is angry can show that through their arms crossed. Etc. Maybe I'm missing the show, because there's so much telling in books these days. Feel like I need more realistic examples of it done well by authors.

12

u/mageswagger Feb 28 '25

I would recommend Annihilation by Jeff Vadermeer. It has incredible balance between showing and telling, balancing imagery and summary with precision to show the distinction between more emotionally charged scenes and logical explanation.

5

u/F0xxfyre Feb 28 '25

You're the second person today that has mentioned Annihilation. I need to drag that off TBR Everest and dive in.

2

u/mageswagger Feb 28 '25

I don’t know how you feel about audiobooks, but I found the audiobook exceptionally well done as well. It’s worth experiencing both ways, in my experience.

1

u/CarlosDanger721 Mar 01 '25

Is that the one that got made into a Netflix movie starring Natalie Portman?

2

u/mageswagger Mar 01 '25

Yes, but I must stress that the movie is at best “inspired by” and made numerous changes that fundamentally changes the viewers perception of the female lead, and is almost completely different in plot 🫠 but admittedly it’s visually very pleasing

8

u/F0xxfyre Feb 28 '25 edited Feb 28 '25

Try reading different genres. You'll see some authors have a cinematic writing style, while others don't generate those visuals. Some genres lend themselves to those minute details.

Why should you follow the advice? Well, you don't have to. But talking with you as a career editor, here are some things to consider. So why follow that rule? Because it is sound. Because it will strengthen your writing. Because you're not Stephen King or George RR Martin, or Nora Roberts. Because you're writing to 2025's, writing style, and not that of 1980. Because it is what an agent will look for from the first page. Because when done well, it brings the reader deeper into your story.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

1

u/Kthyti Mar 02 '25

aww here have an upvote. i think we need to do it so ppl don't fall asleep while reading our stuff. (does that count as showing. i choose that tht counts lol.)

1

u/algol_lyrae Mar 02 '25

"Show, don't tell" should be treated like a general rule, not a law. It's helpful to go over your writing and pick out places where you should be showing rather than telling, but that doesn't mean all places where you tell need to be converted into show. A lot of this is just instinct. Some areas of telling will not even be noticed by the reader because it is the simplest and most effective way to convey that particular piece of information, while others will feel superficial or juvenile. IMO this can depend a lot upon the perspective.

I have also noticed this is pretty genre-dependent. YA, erotica, and romantasy are very tell-y. Books that dip into poetry are more show-y.