Journey 1: From Bliss to Horror

As I started my journey into writing there were things I absolutely did wrong, and continue to struggle with. I know it's a topic I've talked about before, but it's worth a revisit. My understanding of the English language was limited to what I said in real life and I paid no mind to how that took shape in my prose.  If anything, I overcompensated for my lack of writing knowledge.  I wasn't born with the gift. But, I managed to get a first chapter.

This was me after I finished my first chapter.

I was so happy.  I had nailed some good descriptions, some decent dialogue and I was comparable to a peacock with brilliant feathers. 

It was time to get some opinions and let my brilliance be known to the world. So I found a critique group.  Their advice was to "Slay the Adverbs."

I gathered up my neat stacks of critiques and felt my little feathers wilt. 

I looked back and forth between my work and my critiques. "But I don't understand. MC ran quickly. How else do you say that!?"

My narcissism took it's grip and I was ready to strut my stuff.  I started chapter two with an adverb just to prove my point.

After finishing chapter two, I decided I would finish the book I had started to celebrate my accomplishment.  I was cruising through these chapters and I wanted a break.  So I got into bed, my dog settled in next to me and I started reading. 

As I read through a few more chapters, something started to nag at my brain.  The words seemed to creep along the page.  I started to skim sentences and became distraught. Then I became bored.  I had to ask myself, "Why does this book read so weird?  What happened? It's SO slow now.  What happened to awesome book?!"...........Then it hit me.

Frustrated, I put he book down.  I tossed and turned.  I grumbled at my revelation.  Chapter One rolled through my head as I drifted to sleep.  The Adverb came for me...

After a dramatic night of fighting with the Adverb monster I did just what my new Critique group had suggested.  I had to slay the Adverb.

It's not always an easy thing to avoid. I wish I had a majestic sword that cut them from my prose.  However, since that night I realized the importance of a strong verb.  MC isn't quickly running.  MC is dashing, bolting, sprinting or otherwise moving.  You get my point.  This was my first learning curve in the world of writing.  I'm happy to say that I have slayed the Adverb Monster from my work, but I do understand that sometimes they are necessary.  A lesson in what we all call "moderation."

Adverbs are like flies, they get in as soon as you open the back/front door.  Some, you see and swat.  Others get trapped behind the blinds and you find them dead some time later.  USE THE FIND FEATURE AND TYPE IN "LY"( although not all adverbs end in "LY") and I guarantee the flies that die behind the blinds are in there, and there is a stronger verb just waiting to be used.  Even now, after a year, I do this and sure enough, a few have made their way in.  Check and double check!!!!

If you struggle with adverbs, like I did, or you just don't have a list of strong verbs, the One Look Dictionary Search is a wonderful online tool that helps you add spice to your work by transforming phrases such as "run quickly" into a variety of stronger verbs.  It also does other cool stuff and is worth the look.

And that is my Bliss to Horror to Conquer on Adverbs.