Comments on: The shame! http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/01/the-shame/ Writing in all its forms Sun, 9 Mar 2008 23:21:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Sandra http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/01/the-shame/#comment-247 Sun, 15 Jan 2006 14:41:43 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/01/the-shame/#comment-247 I don't think it's adverbs, per se, but the overuse of them that's the problem. When I use four instances of "carefully" in slightly more than two pages, it's time to find a new word.... Also, an adverb in narrative suggests that, for me anyway, I'm not working hard enough to find a good verb. If I find a spanking verb, there's no need to "help it along" with an adverb to further describe the action. In dialogue, I find that I use an adverb because it's easier than writing stage direction. Adverbs in dialogue result in my having a lot of "talking head" scenes, which can hardly be a thrill for the reader. So the periodic adverb is fine, but when I'm leaning on them too hard, I'm being a lazy writer. I don’t think it’s adverbs, per se, but the overuse of them that’s the problem. When I use four instances of “carefully” in slightly more than two pages, it’s time to find a new word….

Also, an adverb in narrative suggests that, for me anyway, I’m not working hard enough to find a good verb. If I find a spanking verb, there’s no need to “help it along” with an adverb to further describe the action.

In dialogue, I find that I use an adverb because it’s easier than writing stage direction. Adverbs in dialogue result in my having a lot of “talking head” scenes, which can hardly be a thrill for the reader.

So the periodic adverb is fine, but when I’m leaning on them too hard, I’m being a lazy writer.

]]> by: Karmela Johnson http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/01/the-shame/#comment-244 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:47:50 +0000 http://www.sandrakmoore.com/blog/2006/01/the-shame/#comment-244 I still don't get why adverbs are considered verboten in novel writing. As a reader, I never even noticed them. But as I writer, I am so conscious of the rule. Or should I say, "I consciously observe that rule" ?? ;-) I still don’t get why adverbs are considered verboten in novel writing. As a reader, I never even noticed them. But as I writer, I am so conscious of the rule. Or should I say, “I consciously observe that rule” ?? ;-)

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