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Hi All
I know it is a unwritten rule taht once your first draft is done and you start the editing process that all words ending in ly should be deleted, however I amazed at home many published books contain ly words. I think a piece is far stronger without these words and find it quiet lazy using them. I have been reading the latest Peter James Roy Grace novel and there seems to be at least five or six ly word per chapter and he writes very small chapters. My question was how do these established authors slip these passsed editors/agents/publishers
Comments
"I hate you," she screamed angrily.
Now, not only is it pretty obvious that she's angry already but the scence lacks emotion. Show not tell helps to eliminate the need for such adverbs.
what about when about to drive under a bridge, behind a huuugemongously tall lorry and a double decker bus, and there is a sign on the bridge saying "never use this bridge if you're driving a high sided lorry or a double decker bus"?
"walks off wearing the top of a double decker on me 'ed"
http://susannahrickards.blogspot.com/2011/02/gorgeous-pink-rag.html
whereas 'he screamed/yelled/ shouted' (all strong)
I find that when I go through my work for words ending in ly that I can come up with better words to replace them. Not all the time, but most of the time.