Writer Clinic: Adverbs and How To Avoid Them (Premium Post)

This is a good way to cut word count as well as improve one's technique more generally

I was reviewing my “General Writing Tips” file for ideas to share like I did with my first “Writer Clinic” post that’s free for everybody. I noticed that many writers — one being Stephen King — are skeptical of adverbs. This is something especially important if one is writing shorter forms like short stories or novelettes, since every word counts.

So how can one reduce the use of adverbs? Instead of saying “they did (verb) (adverb),” see if you can find a verb that would work for both. For example, instead of “he said angrily,” say something like “he shouted” or “he snarled.”

(These types of verbs are also more specific. The use of “snarled” in particular suggests a much uglier feeling than just raising one’s voice.)

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