Horror/Scary: May 16, 2018 Issue [#8895]
<< May 2, 2018Horror/Scary Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMay 23, 2018 >>

Newsletter Header
Horror/Scary


 This week: The Perfect Verb
  Edited by: W.D.Wilcox 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

Sig for the Horror/Scary Newsletter


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B0CJKJMTPD
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

In Search Of The Perfect Verb


Do you ever wonder why a grammatically correct sentence you’ve written just lies there like a dead fish? I sure have. Your sentence might even be full of those adjectives and adverbs your teachers and loved ones so admired in your writing when you were a kid.

But still the sentence doesn’t work.

Something simple I learned years ago: “Write with nouns and verbs, not with adjectives and adverbs.”

Even Mark Twain was quoted, regarding adjectives: “When in doubt, strike it out.”

That’s not to say there’s no place for adjectives. I used three in the title and first paragraph of this post alone.

The point is that good writing is more about well-chosen nouns and strong verbs than it is about adjectives and adverbs, regardless what you were told as a kid.

There’s no quicker win for you and your manuscript than ferreting out and eliminating flabby verbs and replacing them with vibrant ones.

Three types of verbs to beware of when writing

1)State of Being verbs

These are passive as opposed to powerful:
DON'T USE*Right* Is, Am, Are, Was, Were, Be, Being, Been, Have, Has, Had, Do, Does, Did, Shall, Will, Should, Would, May, Might, Must, Can, Could

2)Verbs that rely on adverbs

Powerful verbs are strong enough to stand alone.
Examples: The fox ran quickly dashed through the forest. She menacingly looked glared at her rival. He secretly listened eavesdropped while they discussed their plans.

3)Verbs with -ing suffixes

Examples: He was walking / He walked
She was loving the idea of / She loved the idea of
The family was starting to gather / The family started to gather…

Here's a small list of strong verbs...
USE*Right* Dangle, Dash, Demolish, Depart, Detect, Devour, Drag, Drain, Drop, Erase, Explode, Explore, Fight, Fly, Frown, Garble, Gaze, Glare, Glisten, Glitter, Gobble, Grasp, Gravitate, Grip, Groan, Grope, Growl, Gush, Hack, Hobble, Hover, Hurry, Ignite, Illuminate, Inspect, Instruct, Jostle, Journey, Lash, Launch, Leap, Lurch, Lurk, Transform, Trudge, Tussle, Unearth, Unveil


Until Next Time,


A new sig from 'undocked'



Editor's Picks

For Your Entertainment


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2157060 by Not Available.

The Man Open in new Window. (18+)
An attempt at writing something in the horror genre.
#2154479 by Cackling QPdoll Author IconMail Icon

Smoke Open in new Window. (13+)
A new kind of creature destroys mankind.
#2150761 by Kotaro Author IconMail Icon

STATIC
In The Shadow Of The Mountain Open in new Window. (13+)
Tale of betrayal, vengeance, and snow.
#2029038 by James Heyward Author IconMail Icon

They Were So Nice Open in new Window. (18+)
A girl is held hostage, but not all is as it seems
#1871087 by Angus Author IconMail Icon

STATIC
The Scream Open in new Window. (18+)
No good deed goes unpunished
#1611352 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon




FORUM
SCREAMS!!! Open in new Window. (GC)
A Terrifying Contest Of Horror And Three Time Quill Award Winner!
#2020439 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
WEIRD TALES CONTEST  Open in new Window. (18+)
A Contest Inspired by the Old Pulp Fiction Covers of Weird Tales Magazine
#2083492 by Beacon's Anchor Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Sinister Stories Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A horror contest for everyone! Can you write a terrifying tale? February Special Round!
#1556724 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07YJZZGW4
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Ask & Answer

DEAD LETTERS


dogpack saving 4premium Author Icon
Regarding: "REAL LIFE HORROR MOVIE: Helping A FriendOpen in new Window.
Thank you for pointing out that sometime the norm can become the horror. Much fodder for creativity.


Quick-Quill Author Icon
So true. That nice old man who loves to garden next door and you come to find out he's burying pieces of his victims right next to your fence. After you dog digs a long femur up and brings it into your house.


JayNaNoOhNo Author Icon
I'm not all that adept at horror yet, though I try. I have discovered recently that the scariest people are the ones who didn't make your warning bells go off - and then you find that they should have.

The warning bells of hindsight are terrifying!



*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07YJZZGW4
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< May 2, 2018Horror/Scary Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueMay 23, 2018 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.