'Show Don't Tell' is a SHAM

Not all writing advice is perfect, particularly "Show Don't Tell."

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Credit to SkyDilen for my video intro.

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[OddTillTheEnd]

As a mystery fan, my favorite part of the book is when the detective explains the solution to the crime. It’s a series of mini-reveals, and it often serves as the story’s thrilling climax. I think telling is an important part of the craft. It’s not called “storyshowing” after all.

[ImusakHctividar]

One thing I try to do is use "Show" for the important parts of a scene and "Tell" for parts that are either unimportant or would be better served as a quick explanation so the story can keep moving. Say you have two characters meeting at a diner to work out some divorce papers. While they're there, one of them orders soup and the other orders a sandwich. What's the most important part of this scene? The conversation about the papers and the character relationships, of course. You wouldn't spend the time to show a character's deliberation over what their meal of choice would be or how they look the waitress over (Though that in and of itself could be used to hint at why the conversation is happening). Point being, show and tell are both useful tools, it's just a matter of how you use them.

[plisskenetic]

FINALLY!!!! Someone decided to call BS on this overused ultra cliche phrase. Always feel irritated when people like reviewers and youtubers toss it around trying to sound smart as if they even understand it to begin with!

[lorrismalls]

Writing is based a lot on artistic expression. I never agreed with "show don't tell". I believe mixing both in a novel takes skill, and it will pay off if you do it right. Thanks for your input.

[batman]

I absolutely loathe this saying. It’s repeated so often that I don’t think most people even know what they mean by it. They’ve just been told to say it. Overall, I think it’s a mistake to think that one can only paint a picture by describing physical action. For example, I could write “Sarah’s face glowed with pristine radiance.” Even though I didn’t describe a physical action, I still think I painted a vivid picture. In the end, it’s all about how you tell. If I only wanted to describe physical action, then I would become a screenwriter.

[roogo]

A perfect balance of both is key. Like, if you need to explain why this faction is acting this way in a story and want to save the showing part for later for like a twist or something go for it, thats a good way to do it in my opinion. Like you said, a lot of people want constant showing but, some shows take this to the extreme and never give their audience a breather, telling is an important part of a story cause it allows the audience to catch their breaths between the flashy moments to process and digest what just happened.

[thywordistruth]

The way I approach it is that I tell things that can't be shown very well, or would take way too long to show when it could just be told in a few sentences.

[TwiztedHumor]

Thank you. Finally somebody brave and smart enough to tell the f*ng truth.

[alexbasha]

Show… AND Tell.

Best of both worlds.

[otakurocklee]

I've always preferred straightforward simple writing. Frankly, sensory details never did anything for me and I basically had to filter it all out to get through a novel. What's the plot... what are the character's motivations... that's all that really interested me. Show don't tell basically goes against all that. Isaac Asimov is my favorite writer because he keeps it simple and to the point.

I think I'm in a minority though.

[yaozuli]

Telling details is ok, but show should be used more than telling because it does makes the writing richer. Thank you Mr. McNulty!

[antoisalegend]

The way you explain things, is amazing. I'm currently making my way through all of your vids, keep up the great work. Thank you.

[Onezy]

Not show don't it's show AND tell!

[thesmashbeyonder]

Thank you! This quote has been driving me insane while writing!

[blaustein_autor]

*VINDICATION!*
Thank you man. The book I bought on writing advice actually doesn't include "Show don't tell".
Here are its chapters:
Characters
Plot
Perspective
Description
Dialogue
Time and place
The voice
The theme
The editing

This is enough to worry about. And actually, if you figured out what your theme, plot and characters will be, you will already have a good grasp on what to elaborate and what to keep short.

[PathofCultivation]

Art not a mathematical formula... love that quote.

[guitark]

just do whatever make you feel good, but it good to recognize them in the first place

[NoFormalTraining]

I've gone around looking up advice about Show Don't Tell on youtube, and one thing I have noticed is that a lot of people who cite it as a rule that must be followed, have very different ideas to one another as to what showing actually means.
I came across a bit of writing advice from Neil Gaiman and he pointed out that Show Don't Tell is not a rule at all, and I have to agree with him They are tools to be used, it just depends on how well they are used.

[Kittrianna]

I think it’s really just “tell, but do so sparingly” because one of my biggest pet peeves in writing and film is when someone states something that should’ve been implied. Telling can make something feel less realistic because it’s too blatant or explicit, so while it certainly serves a purpose, it’s important to not overuse it.

[GoddessOfWhim]

i think Show Don't Tell works better in a visual media. you don't want to tell everything in a movie cause the point is to see it