That is the question.

[prillalar]

Writing advice I'm now trying to follow:

Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. -- Mark Twain

Writing advice I gleefully ignore:

It's often wise to cut down on verbs of being, replacing them (whenever possible) with action verbs; that'll make your writing punchier.

I loooooooooove the verb "to be". It's my favourite verb. I work those predicate nouns and adjectives as hard as I can. I like the flatness of it, the plainness.

What's your favourite writing advice? Or your favourite advice to ignore?

Comments

[prillalar]

Adverbs! I'm re-reading PoA right now and sometimes my mind goes into Adverb Lock and they jump off the page at me. Here's from just one page:

Ron asked awkwardly
Hermione approached ... cautiously
said Ron quietly
Crabbe and Goyle chuckled trollishly

[ranalore.livejournal.com]

This is why I will never defend JKR as a great writer. She has some fantastic concepts and she does some wonderful things with the archetypes on which her characters are based, but her fondness for several forms of poor writing technique makes me want to tear my hair out.

And since I haven't done it in a while....

::licks your icon::