I love adjectives too much they have given me writing arthritis.

  • TheGhostOfTomJoad [he/him,they/them]
    ·
    2 years ago

    The adverb rule applies here, I think. And that's If it ends in 'ly' seriously consider if it needs to be there.

    "Well, that was worth it" Bob said, sarcastically.

    Sarcastically doesn't need to be there. Take it out. The dialogue should be obvious enough to not need it. If its not, then the dialogue is your problem.

    I don't think the job of the writer is to tell the reader exactly what to think, what to feel etc. but to tell the story. The way characters behave, the things they say, should tell the reader enough to build a picture of the characters, story world etc. that's close enough to what you're aiming for.

    The LY rule of thumb helps a lot. A lot of adverbs end in LY and are pointlessly descriptive. But don't go so far that you take all of them out. Adjectives and adverbs and any parts of speechreally are like spices, balance them correctly and don't overdo it with any one of them unless its for a certain literary purpose lol If it doesn't advance the plot or isn't necessary for fully understanding the plot it shouldn't be there. Same with non fiction.

    If you find that when you edit a piece that you've gone overboard with descriptors and adverbs etc. depending on the genre or if its non fiction, then maybe have the characters comment on how nice a day it is for the whatever they're doing instead of telling the reader its a nice, or pleasant, or peaceful, or crisp, or whatever the fuck kind of day lol

    If its non fiction and you hate how you have too many adjectives or adverbs or whatever then try reading something like the descriptive chapters of the Grapes of Wrath. There's short beautiful chapters that just describe the farming life and stuff. Idk, just stuff that's helped me.