We've all heard the warning about too many adverbs, but they're not always a cardinal writing sin. In our inaugural episode, D.C. and Avery will share a drink and revise an old snippet of Avery's writing with an eye on adverbs. Which ones can stay and which can be tweaked?
Episode 1 Cocktails:
Too Many Adverbs:
1.5 oz Gin
½ oz Elderflower
½ oz Lime
¾ oz Lemon
¾ oz simple syrup
Splash of seltzer
Shake all except seltzer with ice, then top with the seltzer.
Adverbs, Revised:
2.5oz gin
1.5oz lemon
1 oz honey syrup
Top with club soda
Excerpts for Episode 1:
Before:
The creature’s claws gripped my ankle tightly as I was nearly through the window. It screamed loudly as it gave my leg a violent tug. I fell back jarringly against the outside wall and my leg twisted in the ghoul’s grip. Its deadly-sharp talons tore through my trousers and the light suede boots I wore, to rip open the flesh beneath. My head hit the stone wall hard, and my vision flashed blood red and virulent green with the pain. I cried out harshly in pain and terror, scrabbling against the stone futilely. The creature’s deadly grip on my ankle and leg was the only thing holding me as I dangled precariously upside down, halfway out of the window.
After:
The ghoul clutched my ankle, and gave my leg a violent tug as I scrambled through the window. I tumbled against the outside wall, and the talons tore through my trousers, ripping open the flesh of my twisted leg. My head struck the wall, and my vision flashed crimson. I cried out in pain, scrabbling against the stone to find purchase.
Ep 032 (Mini-Ep): ”I’ll do that later.”
Ep 031: Iceberg Theory
Ep 030 (Mini-Ep): Critique Etiquette
Ep 029: Word-vomit & Zero Drafts
Ep 028 (Mini-Ep): The Dark Side
Ep 027 (Mini-Ep): Surviving the Stress of Querying
Ep 026 (Mini-Ep): Combining & Cutting Characters
Ep 025: Is This a Kissing Book? (Writing Sex Scenes)
Ep 024 (Mini-Ep): AMA
Ep 023: Series & Standalones
Ep 022 (Mini-Ep): Writer’s Block
TRAILER: On Comp Titles
Ep 021: Filler Words
Ep 020: Mini-Ep: Just a Trim--Tips to Cut Word Count
Ep 019: Mini-Ep: X meets Y: Comp Titles
Ep 018: Mini-Ep: Play it Again... Rewrites
Ep 017: Swearing in Fiction
Ep 016: Mini-Ep: Prologues and Epilogues
Ep 015: Mini-Ep: Whoopsie! Our Worst Querying Blunders
Ep 014: Mini-Ep: Morally Grey & Unlikable Characters
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Frankenstein
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends