Monthly Archives: June 2011

Jun10

Let’s Talk Adverbs and Is It Really Being Lazy

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Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs.  They show us the manner and degree of an action.  You can spot adverbs by looking for words that explain the action in a sentence.

It seems the biggest crime for us writers is using (ly) adverbs.  I have read they should all be removed from our writing.  It is termed as lazy writing.  You want to know why it’s lazy, it’s because they are easy to use.  We will use adverbs instead of looking for the verb that will add the punch.

Ly adverbs almost always show the author explaining dialogue–smuggling emotions into speaker attributions that belong in the dialogue itself.  If the dialogue doesn’t need props, putting the props in will make it seem weak.

Bottom line is take the time to go through your writing and decide if you can replace the adverbs with stronger verbs.  It will make your writing stronger and tighter.

If you are using adverbs of time or frequency then they are an exception.  ie.  (Bad)I receive the paper every day. (Better) I receive the paper on a daily basis.

If an adverb has the same meaning as the verb being used then remove it.  If the verb is weak, you might replace it with a stronger verb.

The three most common adverbs are : not, very, and too.  It is recommended to avoid their use, but as with every other “rule” sometimes you have to use them.  No other words will do.

http://youtu.be/PIuN8aY51Xk  I hope you enjoy the video on adverbs.

Jun6

When Does Your Muse Strike?

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When do you think of new stories to write, or new books?  I was sitting at the dinner table yesterday evening and it came to me what my next book is going to be, along with the title.  I had an outline completed in my head and it all took place within a fifteen minute period of time.  It was  one of those times when no effort was being made but it all came together.

I can remember the content this morning, so it was something which touched me.  I find stories coming to me while lying in bed trying to read another book, or watching tv.  It seems anything can get those creative juices flowing.  I find it a rather amazing how my Muse comes into play at the oddest moments.

Todays video is about finding your Muse, just in case you lose it.  Have a great day.

http://youtu.be/dGwBVTsTPTM

 

Jun3

Don’t Make The Mistake. A Lesson Learned

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I certainly learned a big lesson when I self- published my book “The Tower” last November.  I was  so excited I’d actually wrote myself and the world a book.  How cool is that?  My family and I patted myself on the back until we all needed our shoulders fixed.  What a magical time and it did feel good.

Now it is June of 2011 and I have pulled the book from sale.  Bottom line is I was in such a hurry I didn’t think I needed to follow the long tedious process that’s been proven to be successful.

I wrote a very good story, but when I read it again after six months.  I knew I couldn’t leave it out in the world.

I can say I’ve leared a great deal over the last six months, I didn’t know when I wrote the book.  I looked at it and my brain screamed, How could you make those kind of mistakes.  For me it was lack of knowledge at the time.

I know I’ve not been the only one who made this error of getting in such a hurry, I failed to produce a quality book.    I’m now in the process of correcting the errors I made and hope to have the book back on the market in a couple of months.

Pay attention to what fellow writers say.  Always put your writing away for awhile and then go back and critique it.  You might be surprised at what you find.  I learned the lesson the hard way so I wanted to share with you, so just maybe you might be smarter than I was.

Edit until you can’t edit anymore

After you put it away, pull it out and edit again.

The video today is a fast talking young woman on How To Publish.

http://youtu.be/U-dZV2qUy9g