False Dawn

I see. I think, yes, nowadays, every word is important - but I think that's always been the case. That's the main reason why Shakespeare and such need to be read and reread, with every word and detail analysed in case something is missed. To say its a modern technique, is probably not entirely accurate.

Anonymous

I think this entire conversation comes down to a writer's particular style in combination with the feeling he/she is trying to create in the particular piece. I don't think that I would ever say "ran quickly," but there are other cases where descriptive language might border on redundancy that I might be inclined to use. I am an advocate of Strunk and White and the "Omit needless words" advice, but I'm a minimalist in most everything I write. (Note that I said MOST everything!) To "cut to the chase," though, I say a writer can tell when he/she has created the feeling that best suits the story. It takes reading and rereading a piece, but, in most cases, the right words come. Sometimes they even run quickly (couldn't resist) to mind.

On Strunk and White, I think their best advice (and I have to check myself on this, too) is ... "Rather, really, very, little and pretty: these are the leaches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words."

I'll go now. Toodles,
David (aubie84)

Lunesse

Not following the rules is a fine idea if you don't care about your work getting published by someone other than yourself.

If you desire a publisher to buy the rights to your work and pay for the process, then I highly suggest following them. If you come across as not understanding the basics of what is considered good writing, grammar, and flow, you'll never get out of the slush pile. A piece of writing that blatantly does not adhere to rules of good grammer and craftsmanship won't last past the first paragraph before being rejected.

DragonReborn

Amen, Brother Mendicant.

__________________
The lions sing and the hills take flight.
The moon by day, and the sun by night.
Blind woman, deaf man, jackdaw fool.
Let the Lord of Chaos rule.

There IS somone watching out for us...

DragonReborn

HOW DARE YOU DIS STRUNK AND WHITE!

The leading writing instructors insist upon this little book. AND THEY DON'T INSIST UPON ENGLISH! IN FACT THEY VERY MUCH TALK ABOUT the idea and characters and plot matter most. But honestly, which sounds better?

Scott felt as if he were not alone in the old chapel, and his knees trembled. Looking around desperately, he searched, but no one he could see was around. Scrambling to get out, he slipped and fell, and the feeling increased. He could imagine the demons hiding there, which made him for once afraid...

or

Scott felt as if he weren't alone in the old chapel. His knees trembled as he looked around, and he managed to scramble into a run. But in his haste, his feet failed him, and he fell to the ground, the hairs on his neck rising. The feeling intensified. Crying for help...

see? I used to right like the first until I got Strunk and White's The Elements of Style. You are right, False Dawn, writing doesn't work by rules. But can a book entertain if it doesn't flow? NO. And that's exactly how the book has helped me. It could help anyone who wants to write entertaining pieces.

__________________
The lions sing and the hills take flight.
The moon by day, and the sun by night.
Blind woman, deaf man, jackdaw fool.
Let the Lord of Chaos rule.

There IS somone watching out for us...

Kittie

I love wordplay, so I'm dredging this up from the bottom of the thread-stack!

Adjectives and adverbs are not my friends. I learned this in my first college creative writing course. Why use a verb-plus-adverb when you can find a nice succint verb that does the work of two words in one?

Why not say... He sprinted.

I think there is a difference between 'He ran quickly' and 'He ran slowly.' However, I wouldn't ever use those sentences in any writing I had any faith in.

Writing may come from the heart, but it's strongest when you use your head, too. Besides, it's fun to put aside the emotional aspects and just PLAY with all that ooey-gooey goodness. Trust me, your heart isn't involved in playing. Your heart hates playing. But your mind... your mind loves a good crossword, jigsaw puzzle, coloring book, or Trivial Pursuit game!

__________________
Been saved again by the garbage truck
I got something to say, you know, but nothing comes
Yes, I know what you think of me... you never shut up...