1. Talisien

    Talisien Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2015
    Messages:
    86
    Likes Received:
    52
    Location:
    N.Devon, UK

    Malicious murder of abject adjective is killing off legitimate lyricism!

    Discussion in 'Revision and Editing' started by Talisien, May 20, 2016.

    As I learn about the modern publishing process I am discovering that adjectives are stripped out of prose like weeds. Whatever happened to the legitimate use of descriptive word crafting? Is the modern novel becoming dry and too simplistic as a result? Are publishers catering to a public that no longer want to work at reading; savouring the technique and quality of the writing itself? Are they rendering the future to a more skeletal functional style?

    Care to Comment?
     
    Witchymama and minstrel like this.
  2. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    7,471
    Likes Received:
    10,216
    Location:
    London, UK
    Where are you "discovering" this?

    No adjectives have been stripped out of my writing so far in the publishing process.
     
  3. Witchymama

    Witchymama Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Messages:
    235
    Likes Received:
    189
    Adjectives make up the bulk of my work. Flowery prose? Yes, but I like it.
     
    peachalulu and FaythFuI like this.
  4. FaythFuI

    FaythFuI Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2016
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    61
    Location:
    Illinois
    I tend to have more flowery prose too, but that just happens when I don't restrict myself. My mind always goes to something more poetic sounding, and I don't think that's a bad thing. Just needs to be controlled - as does a more simplistic style of writing. :) There's nothing wrong with having a more flowery prose if you can perfect it and make it your own.
     
    Witchymama likes this.
  5. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    586
    Location:
    The middle of the UK
    Flowery is hard to do, which means that most people do it badly, which means that the majority of published prose is not flowery. Do it well, and there's no problem.

    Any questions?
     
    Wayjor Frippery likes this.
  6. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    Never use adverbs unless they are absolutely necessary.
     
  7. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    10,462
    Likes Received:
    11,689
    I haven't found it to be an issue.
     
  8. Mumble Bee

    Mumble Bee Keep writing. Contributor

    Joined:
    May 18, 2015
    Messages:
    1,256
    Likes Received:
    2,111
    I don't think writing anything is ever necessary unless there's a gun to your head.

    Oooh, i just got another book idea.
     
    Lifeline and Tenderiser like this.
  9. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    586
    Location:
    The middle of the UK
    *never use adverbs unless they are absolutely necessary according to the specific and undefined ideal to which I write.
     
  10. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    Don't Explain the Joke ;)
     
    Catrin Lewis likes this.
  11. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    586
    Location:
    The middle of the UK
    Wasn't sure that was a joke, honestly.
     
  12. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    "Absolutely" is an adverb
     
  13. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    Messages:
    669
    Likes Received:
    586
    Location:
    The middle of the UK
    I got it, don't worry about that. I just wasn't sure if you were being serious and had deemed it necessary.
     
  14. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2015
    Messages:
    2,403
    Likes Received:
    1,647
    Location:
    [unspecified]
    When I was writing with a partner (many years ago) we once ran afoul of the word 'angrily.' On the index cards, the character was doing everything angrily and after speaking the word out loud several dozen times while working out kinks in the plot, it really started to sound ludicrous. It was also losing its meaning which, I think, was a by-product of it being an adverb.

    That's when we decided we had to find another way. But we never did and I believe this was one of the contributing factors to my partner running away to L.A. But at least he didn't do it angrily. (Personally, I think he did it afraidedly, but since that's not a word and we've never discussed it, I can't confirm.)
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice