Plot vs. Prose - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T10:36:08Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/plot-vs-prose?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A176998&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAdverbitise is an illness bes…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1876352009-03-12T22:50:25.200ZBobhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bob24
Adverbitise is an illness bestowed upon the newborn authors. Once the antibodies are developed to the appropriate level, the use of adverbs is rarely a problem.<br />
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As a public speaker, I learned to use adverbs as a stall technique. The mind races faster than the mouth can deliver. Adverbs flow easily, allowing time to organize and deliver the next thought or passage. In writing, they can be used effectively to draw out a thought or create a pause, adjusting the pace.<br />
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Long sentences followed by…
Adverbitise is an illness bestowed upon the newborn authors. Once the antibodies are developed to the appropriate level, the use of adverbs is rarely a problem.<br />
<br />
As a public speaker, I learned to use adverbs as a stall technique. The mind races faster than the mouth can deliver. Adverbs flow easily, allowing time to organize and deliver the next thought or passage. In writing, they can be used effectively to draw out a thought or create a pause, adjusting the pace.<br />
<br />
Long sentences followed by short sentences can create a rhythm in the prose which can be used to adjust the pace as well. Long-short, long-short, medium-short, medium-short, short-short...and the event occurs. Nice, Dana.
Wow, Jack. I had…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875682009-03-12T17:53:22.483ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Nice, Dana.<br />
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Wow, Jack. I had no idea. Quite right, though. Get on with the writing and do a little marketing as you go.
Nice, Dana.<br />
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Wow, Jack. I had no idea. Quite right, though. Get on with the writing and do a little marketing as you go. I'm touched. The problem is n…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875662009-03-12T17:52:57.500ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I'm touched. The problem is not long sentences (a matter of preference), but wordy sentences. You can strip down style until there is nothing left but what you'd find in an instruction manual.
I'm touched. The problem is not long sentences (a matter of preference), but wordy sentences. You can strip down style until there is nothing left but what you'd find in an instruction manual. I don't expect IJ pays me muc…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875562009-03-12T16:15:56.604ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
I don't expect IJ pays me much mind, but I'd be a fool not to listen to her. She's an established author with a big publisher, and last year she was right as rain when she told me to stop worrying about my marketing so much and concentrate on the WIP. At the time, I thought she was full of it, but I learned. Now I listen, especially when I feel adament.
I don't expect IJ pays me much mind, but I'd be a fool not to listen to her. She's an established author with a big publisher, and last year she was right as rain when she told me to stop worrying about my marketing so much and concentrate on the WIP. At the time, I thought she was full of it, but I learned. Now I listen, especially when I feel adament. Gee, I hope Jack and Ingrid a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875482009-03-12T15:52:40.788ZDana Kinghttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DanaKing
Gee, I hope Jack and Ingrid aren't developing an adverb-sarial relationship.
Gee, I hope Jack and Ingrid aren't developing an adverb-sarial relationship. I see I had to use a contract…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875462009-03-12T15:43:38.926ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
I see I had to use a contraction and a hyphen to make mine shorter, though. :-)
I see I had to use a contraction and a hyphen to make mine shorter, though. :-) Well-handled adverbs don't su…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875412009-03-12T15:40:43.614ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
Well-handled adverbs don't suck.<br />
But don't they almost always make the sentence longer, add a useless word or two?<br />
I'm asking, IJ, because I've learned to listen to you, especially when at first I'm so certain I'm right. :-)
Well-handled adverbs don't suck.<br />
But don't they almost always make the sentence longer, add a useless word or two?<br />
I'm asking, IJ, because I've learned to listen to you, especially when at first I'm so certain I'm right. :-) Adverbs suck only if handled…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875252009-03-12T14:29:47.273ZI. J. Parkerhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Adverbs suck only if handled incompetently. :)
Adverbs suck only if handled incompetently. :) Am I the only bastard here wh…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1875092009-03-12T11:48:42.751ZJack Getzehttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JGetze
Am I the only bastard here who believes in The Elements of Style?<br />
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Good writing is clear writing. It tells the story.<br />
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And 99% of the time, adverbs suck!
Am I the only bastard here who believes in The Elements of Style?<br />
<br />
Good writing is clear writing. It tells the story.<br />
<br />
And 99% of the time, adverbs suck! You're right. Unfortunately,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-12:537324:Comment:1874862009-03-12T06:16:35.746ZChris Tusahttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ChrisTusa
You're right. Unfortunately, readers seem to be looking for good plots whether the writing is unique or not. For me, though, plot isn't enough. I'm always looking for good characters (and surprising turns of phrase) first. After all, a good plot is easy. Good writing is rare. I have to disagree with Jack. Just because we're storytellers doesn't mean that plot should reign over the quality of the writing. For myself, the key to a good story is how it's TOLD, not how it develops.
You're right. Unfortunately, readers seem to be looking for good plots whether the writing is unique or not. For me, though, plot isn't enough. I'm always looking for good characters (and surprising turns of phrase) first. After all, a good plot is easy. Good writing is rare. I have to disagree with Jack. Just because we're storytellers doesn't mean that plot should reign over the quality of the writing. For myself, the key to a good story is how it's TOLD, not how it develops.