New Books
This is a wonderful “pocket-sized” writing guide for authors that gives you a quick reference for avoiding those pitfalls–over-use of adverbs and clichés. As the author points out these “subversives” weaken your prose and produce lack-luster stories; they deaden your unique voice.
What I liked about this book was it’s no nonsense approach. Ms. Bell states the purpose succinctly and clearly (adverbs can be useful), and doesn’t burden us with more RULES: Thou shalt never use a cliché.
She gives excellent advice and provides easy-to-use examples of 34 common adverbs and associated clichés used to express ideas or emotions. I really appreciated the example paragraphs for each of these sets. The first two paragraphs rely on adverbs and clichés. The third she calls the Unique Example, and it shows how much more exciting and vivid writing becomes, using details and your unique style.
This is a workbook and a great resource for writing teachers and writers. I love having it.
 |
| Jessica Bell |
Hi Lee and Jess .. I definitely need to get this .. when I get round to worrying about my grammar – fairly soon I suspect ..
I love fish … and fishing I think I'd fall asleep!
Cheers Hilary
Welcome back, Lee! Missed you while you were gone. Love what you learned tho–glad it was time well spent. 🙂
And yes I need to get Jess's book!!
Greetings human, Lee,
At the end of the day, to be honest, you know, you know what I'm saying, my human and myself avoid clichés like the plague.
Well done to Jessica. Nothing like proper grammar n'stuff. Also avoid using the conjunction word "and" and the reason for that is that it weakens a sentence and before you know it you have another and and realise you are doing a run-on sentence and that you have stopped using commas!
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
I've never fished. It looks like a lengthy process.
I hope to read this.
I'll take that quote of the day as my quote of Life. Good lessons you learned during vacation. And thanks for sharing your opinion about this book, I've been wondering for a while how is it. Leave you plenty of dragon hugs! 😀
I used to be very judgmental of adverbs, but then I realized that some of my fav authors use them within a casual story-teller voice. I think it sometimes better to have readable prose than perfect literary prose. So I don't pay much attention to adverbs anymore. Cliches, though, must die!! :O
I've been wanting to get my hands on Jessica's book! Sounds like you had a fun vacation, minus the fishing part 🙂
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Hope you had a great vacation. I agree on the fishing especially if there are snakeheads in the water. 🙂
I have Jessica's book and it's compact and to the point. And I not only enjoy eating fish, I enjoy fishing.
congrats to Jessica, her books is quite present around the net 🙂
This sounds like a great guidebook! I'm addicted to adverbs, and need to start cutting down. Congrats to Jessica! Hope you had a nice vacation Lee!
Julie
Thanks for sharing Jessica's book. I have added it to my list and hope to get it soon! I am always working to use less adjective and adverbs in my writing and this sounds perfect. 🙂
~Jess
I've never caught a fish, but I've eaten many. And I have told a few fishy stories in my life.
Go Jessica!
Lee
Wrote By Rote
Great review! Hope your vacation was awesome 🙂
Sounds like a great resource. Congrats to Jessica! I like eating fish, but feel guilty about catching them. Maybe because I also enjoy them in my aquarium.
Happy Monday, Lee!
Ah yes. I'm not big on yanking them from their lovely water, either. In fact, I don't. Thanks for the visit, Mary.
Thanks for the review! I have no idea why fishing is thrilling, but I don't eat fish or any seafood. Yet I completely agree that reading for pleasure is amazing!
You can read or write while you wait for that fish to nibble. That's the only positive I can see.
I know some people who are obsessed with fishing.
I can't understand it… standing for hours trying to get a fish to bite…?
Grilled fish served with veggies? Now that's another story… delicious!
Writer In Transit
You're making me hungry.
Catching fish is highly overrated, but eating fresh fish is not–I couldn't agree more!
We're on the same page, Theresa.
This looks incredibly helpful! Thanks for pointing it out, and best of luck to Jessica!
Thanks, Meradeth. I think this book will do very well.
Congrats to Jessica. I love how her books are short and quick references to things we struggle with.
I love short, sweet and helpful.
This is definitely a great resource. Perfect craft book to start the week with 🙂
Thanks, Angela. I know you'll love it.
You recommend it for writing teachers and writers, of which I am both. Looks like I need this one. 🙂
It's a great quick reference.
Thank you so much!!! Oh I adore fresh fish. Though I don't enjoy fishing.
Great to have you here!
Little Gem's are what I call, Jessica's books. I enjoy fishing, yes, I am that strange. 🙂
Glynis Smy: Author
Glad you stopped by, Glynis to lend your voice to Jessica's book.
Agreed, Jess. What is with the attraction to catching fish, anyway???
It must have something to do with napping. 🙂
Jessica's grammar books are great!
And fishing is overrated! And boring. Just go buy one – much faster and less messy.
Quick and helpful. Two great qualities.