Okay, there is something floating around the writing world that has bothered me for quite some time. And you, my dear readers, seem like the perfect candidates for me to vent/discuss this idea with. Cause all writers enjoy a good rant! But I'll attempt to maintain a moderately calm and collected composure for all ya'll's sake.
I've seen the following warning far too many times: "Avoid adverbs." And I have one thing to say about that: umm...no.
However, I can see what viewpoint these claimers come from. Surely if the author can adequately describe what is happening, we don't need to be told how i.e. quickly, sadly, happily etc. But did you see what I did there? Look back at my last sentence. Uh huh. "Adequately." I suppose I could have left out that word and my point still might have been made, but that adverb not only provided furthur illumination and specifaction to my point, it made the overall sentence flow more smoothly. One thing authors should be aware of, is not to avoid those so called weak tactics to the extent that the writing sounds no longer human. We often hear we ought to lay off the adjectives and adverbs, and increase the nouns and verbs. And while this can indeed sometimes create a more succinct effect...nobody talks like that! If you write with the voice of one who considers themselves oh so learned and superior to most minions who couldn't write a book if they tried, chances are, the reader will have difficutly connecting with you.
Adverbs specifically, create music and clarification. However, as with any literary part of speech or tactic, we must beware to not overuse them. And I would like to challenge you to see how many adverbs I used in this blogpost and determine whether you thought it made it better or worse.
Written by: Karoline Kingley
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Adverbs
Okay, there is something floating around the writing world that has bothered me for quite some time. And you, my dear readers, seem like the perfect candidates for me to vent/discuss this idea with. Cause all writers enjoy a good rant! But I'll attempt to maintain a moderately calm and collected composure for all ya'll's sake.
I've seen the following warning far too many times: "Avoid adverbs." And I have one thing to say about that: umm...no.
However, I can see what viewpoint these claimers come from. Surely if the author can adequately describe what is happening, we don't need to be told how i.e. quickly, sadly, happily etc. But did you see what I did there? Look back at my last sentence. Uh huh. "Adequately." I suppose I could have left out that word and my point still might have been made, but that adverb not only provided furthur illumination and specifaction to my point, it made the overall sentence flow more smoothly. One thing authors should be aware of, is not to avoid those so called weak tactics to the extent that the writing sounds no longer human. We often hear we ought to lay off the adjectives and adverbs, and increase the nouns and verbs. And while this can indeed sometimes create a more succinct effect...nobody talks like that! If you write with the voice of one who considers themselves oh so learned and superior to most minions who couldn't write a book if they tried, chances are, the reader will have difficutly connecting with you.
Adverbs specifically, create music and clarification. However, as with any literary part of speech or tactic, we must beware to not overuse them. And I would like to challenge you to see how many adverbs I used in this blogpost and determine whether you thought it made it better or worse.
Written by: Karoline Kingley
I've seen the following warning far too many times: "Avoid adverbs." And I have one thing to say about that: umm...no.
However, I can see what viewpoint these claimers come from. Surely if the author can adequately describe what is happening, we don't need to be told how i.e. quickly, sadly, happily etc. But did you see what I did there? Look back at my last sentence. Uh huh. "Adequately." I suppose I could have left out that word and my point still might have been made, but that adverb not only provided furthur illumination and specifaction to my point, it made the overall sentence flow more smoothly. One thing authors should be aware of, is not to avoid those so called weak tactics to the extent that the writing sounds no longer human. We often hear we ought to lay off the adjectives and adverbs, and increase the nouns and verbs. And while this can indeed sometimes create a more succinct effect...nobody talks like that! If you write with the voice of one who considers themselves oh so learned and superior to most minions who couldn't write a book if they tried, chances are, the reader will have difficutly connecting with you.
Adverbs specifically, create music and clarification. However, as with any literary part of speech or tactic, we must beware to not overuse them. And I would like to challenge you to see how many adverbs I used in this blogpost and determine whether you thought it made it better or worse.
Written by: Karoline Kingley
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A very valid point! This always drives me crazy when I hear people say not to use them. It's completely unrealistic! And as far as how many you used...9? (Counting the examples and second "adequately".) I'm probably soooo far off...haha!
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