The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, October 17, 2014

Jonesin' for an Adverb?

      No, I've never been addicted to adverbs. However, after reading Lisa Ricard Claro's post on the slippery slope (and the swirling controversy) that are adverbs, I thought about my writing... and things that are subtle.

      I love Shonda Rhimes' newest shows--How to Get Away With Murder. (I'm no longer cray-cray about Grey's Anatomy and have not ever gotten into Scandal.) 99.9% of the reason why I'm already hooked (after just three or four shows) is due to five syllables:

Vi

o

la

Da

vis.

     I was smitten in the movie Doubt. Viola Davis had a small but explosive part. She completely transformed herself for The Help. And now she's on television every week.

     If you have not seen it yet, watch it--from the first episode. There are subtle things that Davis does--small movements, facial expressions--that show and don't tell. Thinking about what she does as an actress makes me think of my writing.

    There are times when I use an adverb to shove in some meaning... Is it a case of laziness? Is it a matter of time--or lack thereof? There are times when adverbs are appropriate, but most of the time, showing through subtle gestures and details will paint a richer picture for the reader. 

      And check out Viola Davis. She's got quite a deft touch... (And if you watch the video below, you'll find out what outrageous demands Davis had as the star of this show.)



      (I am sorry. I already fell of the Monday and Thursday posting wagon. This week was parent-teacher conferences, and I was frizzled beyond crisp last night. Tomorrow I'm going to a writing workshop in nearby Columbia with a few writing friends. On Monday, I'll share some tidbits.)

10 comments:

  1. Have fun at the workshop. I love that Viola. She can act!

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  2. My name is Val, and I'm an adverbaholic. Yes. I'm addicted to adverbs. Mainly the kind that modify adjectives. I can't help myself. I'm a teller, not a shower. Okay. That looks like I'm a bank-counter worker, not a sprinkle of running water under which you get clean. But you know what I mean. Right?

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    Replies
    1. There IS a 12-step program for you. But the cookies they serve at their meetings are stale...

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  3. Enjoy your workshop! And if you see any good adverbs, pick up a few for me. (Yeah, I'm a little lazy that way...) :-)

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    Replies
    1. "I will be glad to pick some up for you," Sioux said laughingly.

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  4. Viola Davis is crazy good. I didn't know she was on that show, but now I have to check it out. Have fun at your workshop!

    P.S. Thanks for the mention and link back!

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    Replies
    1. She IS crazy good. And perhaps this is payback, since you put the "Castle" monkey on my back? Be sure to watch it from the beginning or you'll be lost somewhat and will have missed out on some great subtleties.

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  5. You just put into words why I love watching Viola Davis. (Actually I didn't know her name, but she is wonderful.) I've started to go back into my writing and attempt to perform adverbectomies. Sometimes it's painful.

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