(Not familiar? Two can't-lose suggestions: "Get Shorty" and "Justified.")
His admonitions to avoid adverbs, hooptedoodle, exclamation points and anything other than forms of the verb "to say" could be well applied to journalism -- especially magazine writing. Here's just a taste:
Well worth keeping in mind... she said. bk3. Never use a verb other than ''said'' to carry dialogue.The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But said is far less intrusive than grumbled, gasped, cautioned, lied. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with ''she asseverated,'' and had to stop reading to get the dictionary.4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ''said'' . . .. . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances ''full of rape and adverbs.''
(Photo credit: The Guardian)
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