Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Blackboard Sessions

Had our first blackboard session at Writers' INK Saturday. Turned out very good. Our intrepid leader, Cheryl, found a couple good quotes and we focused on them. Road to hell is paved with good intentions and the road to hell is paved with adverbs.

Seems funny to still be talking about adverbs all these years. Stephen King wrote about them a long time ago, suggesting that we all take a serious look at the overabundance of said adverbs in our writing. Are the adverbs we're using advancing the story? Or are they a crutch to get over a difficult patch? As I sat and listened to this discussion, I laughed. We never used one adverb while we spent over an hour talking. I know they are used a lot as 'saidisms,' but you'd think we'd still use one now and again. Once I pointed that fact out to the other participants, we started using them. Life is interesting.

I have oft heard that writers are a lonely people. That we write in solitude. Etc. Etc. Etc. However, I find that I need the 'vibe' that I get when I chum around with writers. The others at our meeting felt the same. Yes, I have to write when I'm alone or at least have announced to the world that I am going to be writing, so please keep it down. But when all is said and done, how can we write about life if we don't live it, share it, love it.

If you noticed, I thoroughly enjoyed our meeting. There were no new members, but I felt a new commitment from those present. And I know the others had fun, too. Enjoyed the time together, leaving refreshed and inspired. Of course, I didn't go home and write, much as I wanted to. Too exhausted, but I did print out the submitted stories for next Saturday's Skyline meeting. Spending this week editing them.

I also worked on A's story. I love reading intelligent works. One's that touch my soul and make me think and laugh and cry. I suppose I love reading. Go figure.

Well, that's it for now. Looking forward to living. Blessings!


PS - Keep writing, don't worry about the adverbs, and do a 'find' and 'search' when you're ready to begin editing. If you search 'ly,' you'll be able to see if you are cluttering your work with useless words or using them judiciously. If you worry about them as you write, you'll just bog yourself down. No using in bogging down. Yuck!  xxxooo

2 comments:

  1. I have been saying "piff!" to the subject of reducing my use of adverbs, but I really need to be more serious about it, because it is a thing, and I'm sure my writing would be better if I were more careful. Good advice to worry about them after you write something, though. No use bogging yourself down more than necessary!

    I'm very happy to see you looking forward to living! What a wonderful phrase! Love you! <3

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  2. Almost as good as, 'Life Is Good.' :)
    However, you're writing needs no improvements. You rock!

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