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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25826
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

> Overly descriptive scenes leave me wanting less; I don't read many newer novels because they spend way too many pages describing things instead of developing and telling an intriguing plot with twists and turns.

**Overly descriptive scenes**

Those overly descriptive scenes are the "tell" that the _show don't tell_ phrase is talking about.

**Show Don't Tell**

**bad / 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.

Use more **exposition** -- describing things as they happen in front of the reader

than you use **narrative** -- telling the reader what happened.

Really, what you want is more exposition -- more seeing it played out in front of you and less narrative -- less of the author telling you something.

Original score: 6