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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/8322-Nouns-and-Verbs-Stand-Their-Own-.html
Short Stories: June 07, 2017 Issue [#8322]

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Short Stories


 This week: Nouns and Verbs Stand Their Own !
  Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"If you catch an adjective, kill it."
Mark Twain

"I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs."
Stephen King


         Greetings, I'm honored to be your host for this week's edition of the WDC Short Story Newsletter.


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Letter from the editor

Greetings, fellow scribes.

         Let me open by verily offering sincere felicitations on your exit from the conscriptions of daily obeisance for remuneration and compensation.

         What did I just say? How many times did you have to read through the gobbledygook (an actual form of writing or manner of speech; jargon favored by politicians) before you got the meaning? Did you have to look up any of the words? Did you find them archaic, cliche?

         I'm sure you've answered 'yes' to at least one of the above questions.

         Many words and phrases rarely add anything to a sentence. Words like quite, very, extremely, essentially, totally, completely, at the present moment.

         Think about it -
                   Is a blanket of white snow more vivid than a blanket of snow?
                   But if we slip in yellow snow, that is a defining image(e:rolleyes)

         *Starfishb*Read your words aloud and listen to how they describe the action your mind's eye sees when writing them. Do you see Jack running swiftly, or walking softly? Running slowly would be jogging or speedwalking perhaps? If he walks softly, he tiptoes? Is not a tower by its nature 'tall'?

         *Starfishp*Check in particular for adverbs and adjectives and look for a stronger, more vivid noun or verb instead. Adverbs add to verbs; adjectives add to nouns.
                   If a verb is strong it does not need help.
                   If a noun is strong, it does not need help.

         *Starfishr*This is where our wordsmithing - the craft of writing - shows.
                   Is not a very light wind a breeze?
                   Is not a very strong wind a cyclone?

         *Starfishv*Most verbs do not need adverbs to help them. They often distract from the immediacy of the moment, and take the reader out of the story; are unnecessary or even irrelevant. You will clutter your sentence and annoy the reader if you choose a verb that has a specific meaning and then add an adverb that carries the same meaning.
                   Don't tell us that the radio blared loudly - "blare" connotes loudness.
                   Don't write that someone clenched his teeth tightly - there's no other way to clench teeth.
         Strong verbs are weakened by redundant adverbs.

         *Starfishy*Adjectives are also often redundant (wordsmithing/logic)
                   Is a mountain slightly massive?
                             Then why say it's very massive.
                   Can someone be slightly flabbergasted?
                             Then why say very flabbergasted?
                   Does a losing sprinter mope happily?
                             Then why say he moped sadly while his enemy grinned widely?
                   Does someone unsuccessfully obtain support?
                             Then why say he successfully obtained support?

         While adjectives and adverbs have their uses, most can be eliminated to keep the reader in the story. Stronger, more vivid verbs and nouns make the story vivid and active for the reader, drawing them into the action and emotion of the story.

         I did a word search for 'ly' in a short story and was surprised to many which added no verve to the story. A few changes made the story more vivid, and I had fun wordsmithing.

         Give it a try, read aloud your story and picture the action, then show that with vivid, vibrant nouns and verbs. Leave most of the ad-verbs and ad-jectives *Rolleyes* on the cutting room floor and your story will pop, compelling your reader to want to read on. (Now, in phrase you just read, eliminate 'want to' and you will be 'compelling your reader to read on'. *Thumbsup*)

         I hope you've enjoyed this exploration and found something to challenge or incite your muse creative to action. Oh, by the way, the opening gobbledygook = Happy Retirement. (someday)

Write On *Pencil*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author Icon


Editor's Picks

Check out a few short stories penned for your reading pleasure by members of our Community ~ perhaps engage in some dynamic interaction (comment/review perchance) and share one of your own *Pencil*

 What cannot be done. Open in new Window. (E)
We've all been here.
#2124223 by Breach Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2124187 by Not Available.


 A Series of Stars Open in new Window. (E)
Sometimes even best friends have their secrets. Sometimes they don't even know.
#2124117 by S.V. Canu Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2123907 by Not Available.


 Five Years Old Open in new Window. (18+)
Can a five year old really do that? Can her teachers really ask her to? Yes. They must.
#2123766 by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2123679 by Not Available.


 
STATIC
My Ever-Rotating Zoo Open in new Window. (13+)
I love animals. I love pets. I even love birds and wild animals. But, there is enough.
#2123869 by a Sunflower in Texas Author IconMail Icon


 
STATIC
Life in Drive Open in new Window. (ASR)
When everyone has an autopilot, who's to say what they do with them?
#2123622 by Agent-409 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2123472 by Not Available.


 ORANGE HAZE Open in new Window. (13+)
Two young men experience an encounter with a haze of bees.
#2123460 by HWinB.C. Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2118205 by Not Available.


FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

         Keeping it simple here ~ Thank you for having me in your virtual home. *Smile*

Write On *Pencil*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author Icon



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