I think the whole "show don't tell" rule gets applied way too strictly

Been reading prompts in here for months and everyone jumps to "show don't tell" like it's a magic fix... but I just read a short story by Ursula K. Le Guin from 1974 that tells you outright what a character feels and it works perfectly. Sometimes telling is faster and clearer, especially in tight scenes under 500 words. Has anyone else found a prompt where showing actually ruined the pacing?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray_gibson7d ago

That Le Guin example really nails it... telling can hit harder when the moment needs it.

michaelrodriguez6d ago

A buddy of mine tried "show don't tell" on his wife and got in trouble (go figure).