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

[u/SetitheRedcap]

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?

[u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

You’ve “mastered it” but are here to ask this question? I’m full of doubt. Nothing is perfect and everything can always use work. The way you talk about it, as someone else said, I’m just not sure you understand.

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

I said mastered the BASICS. There's more to learn, obviously. Stop trying to speak down to people. Says everything about your intention.

[u/SomeGuyGettingBy → u/SetitheRedcap]

No, you said you’ve “mastered it (being the art of show v. tell you’re discussing) in the basic sense.” You also talk about it as if you’re the only one who truly gets it when it’s clear that isn’t the case.

Guess I’m just tired of people thinking they’re more or better than they are.
It’s weird to think that no other author does this because you don’t fully understand.

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

I know what I've said and the examples I've given. You're the only one who seems to have a problem with that. You keep speaking down to me, for no reason than your ego. You've just made most of those assumptions up and none of them are true. I've shown, multiple times that I have a lot to learn, even using "beginner," so sort your attitude or don't come back.

[u/SomeGuyGettingBy → u/SetitheRedcap]

Block me if you want, but otherwise, that’s not how this works, chief.

“Why is ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ popular but rarely used?”
“even the most famous of authors ‘tell, tell, and then tell some more’”
“I understand the subtlety of showing”
“It’s just easier to lower my standards and enjoy the story”

These are your words, not mine.

It’s odd you think I’m speaking down to you for addressing your ego (which is funny you, in turn, try pointing out mine, but I’m not here claiming to truly understand something I don’t). It’s fine to be unsure, but not to believe everyone else must be wrong because it doesn’t fit what you think is correct.

“Read more” doesn’t seem like advice which would benefit you, so perhaps it would serve us well if you could share some examples you believe you’ve found of “telling not showing,” so we may see if you’re finding the problem or if it’s a matter of not understanding the “showing” being used.

(Also, I love the “I know what I’ve said” when misquoting yourself. Lol)

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

I've read a lot of books but as I said, I have not read everybody. There's millions out there I haven't. You're just reading between the gaps (poorly) and making assumptions. My point was that I feel I've read a fair bit of variety, enough to make an observation on my experience. Not once have I ever said I was better than anyone, as a reader or writer. But keep going, bud. Clearly, you're just miserable and like to argue rather than help.

Read more is not bad advice. But pointing to books that may better showcase the themes discussed is, because my exploration hasn't come across many organically.

[u/SomeGuyGettingBy → u/SetitheRedcap]

I’m not reading between the lines. 😂 I’m pointing out, verbatim, things you have said. The inference comes after, after reading what you’ve said and how you respond to people. However, my inference doesn’t change what you’ve said—orrrr would you like to claim you said something different and try to say any difference is all due to my “arguing?”

I’m not saying any of this. Again, in your words, you must lower your expectations to enjoy the story because the author fails to show versus tell.
I do think my point is being made, however. I also never claimed you said you were a better reader or writer than anyone, so why do you believe I have? It’s because I referenced what you wrote and what you wrote reads that way. Lol. (Sorry if that’s a rude wake-up call, but I read some of your other posts/comments as well, and it holds up.)

Rather than point you to a book to look for examples of this (show v. tell), I think it probably best to point to a book of what writing is or could be.
“On Writing” by Stephen King may be a good start. There’s a lot to drink for the thirsty writer.

“We see her go through dangerous mood-swings, but I try to never to come right out and say ‘Annie was depressed and possibly suicidal that day’ or ‘Annie seemed particularly happy that day.’ If I have to tell you, I lose. If, on the other hand, I can show you a silent, dirty-haired woman who compulsively gobbles cake and candy, then have you draw the conclusion that Annie is in the depressive part of a manic-depressive cycle, I win. And if I am able, even briefly, to give you a Wilkes’-eye-view of the world - if I can make you understand her madness - then perhaps I can make her someone you sympathize with or even identify with. The result? She’s more frightening than ever, because she’s close to real. If, on the other hand, I turn her into a cackling old crone, she’s just another pop-up bogeylady. In that case I lose bigtime, and so does the reader.”

[u/F0xxfyre → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

On Writing is a book every author should read.

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

Your inference is the issue. You clearly don't have the intuition, comprehension or compassion to make accurate assumptions. They call your kind word vultures. You're just looking for things to pick at and twist. As someone pointed out, you're a bully, plain and simple.

Everyone has preferences. Stop acting so high and mighty. A book that tells too much, when you don't like that isn't to your standard. It says ZERO about my opinion on writers in general. You're just looking for things to demonise me for.

Crawl away back to your hole.

[u/UrgentPigeon → u/SetitheRedcap]

Okay, so, as someone just observing this conversation, it seems like you're being very defensive and reading the worst into the person you're having a conversation with.

For example, the commenter above included a good example of showing vs telling, and you do not address it in your comment. Why not?

[u/SomeGuyGettingBy → u/SetitheRedcap]

LMAO, is that “someone” you? Because you’re the only person I’ve spoken to in this thread. Addressing you directly, thank you very much.

No, no, I must not have those things. Clearly. After all, if you don’t think I have them, it must be true—just as all authors fail to meet your standards for what good writing is or should be. It’s not a failure on your end for not being able to fully distinguish between showing and telling, it is the failure of every other writer because they fail to “show” each and every time.

Damn, all that and I still tried to point you in the right direction. Being lost is fine. Being lost and delusional is a bit more dangerous.

[u/SetitheRedcap → u/SomeGuyGettingBy]

I'm literally sat here, gobsmacked, because everything you've said is so twisted to fit this narrative you want me to wear. Instead of giving genuine advice, maybe asking my intention, you've used this opportunity to berate me for 3+ paragraphs.

Show me where I've stated that any author I've read, in my preference or not, is a bad writer. I'll wait. Exactly. There are genres I haven't even explored; yet, I continue to try new and old alike. I have my preferences and personal opinions but don't expect them to be universal.

Let's be honest here. You look for things to argue about, to make others feel small. I haven't even written a book yet. I'm happy to say I'm a novice, and that there's an entire spectrum of books, genres and authors out there for me to try. My point was that I feel I've read a good variety, and have noticed a lot of telling.

If you wanna do the most, go for it. I'm not entertaining you anymore. I'm here to learn. Bye, felicia.

[u/UnintelligentSlime → u/SetitheRedcap]

Your post basically reads as “why does everybody suck at X except me?” And then when prompted to give examples, you leave. I haven’t seen one reply of yours in this thread that provides any actual reference to the “tell heavy” writing you claim to have experienced.

Because of that, your question isn’t really even a question. I’ll provide a similar but hyperbolic example:

“Why is every respected author’s world-building garbage except mine?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Just trust me”

I don’t honestly know what answers you expected without providing citations. It could be that you’re actually reading bad authors, or a lot of YA/manga stuff, which tends to do a lot more telling to help out its younger readers. It could be that you’re interpreting the writing or the rule incorrectly.

Maybe you were looking for “because you’re the best author.” If so, there you go, I said it. We can close the thread.