This week’s question comes from Mishka Jenkins.
What would you say your writing strengths and weaknesses are?
My best strength would be dialogue. I seem to have a half dozen conversations going on in my head at any given time. I have a degree in Speech Pathology so the tendency to dissect speech patterns is ingrained in me. I also eavesdrop a lot. Not to be mean or gossip, but for research purposes only. You can learn much about conversation by listening. For instance, most men speak in short sentences and leave off the subject. (Example: “Going to the store. See you later.”) And I have another friend who repeats everything in threes when he’s drunk.
My biggest weakness is my love of adverbs. Stephen King said, “The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” I must be headed there because I love, love, LOVE to use them. Just ask my editor. My first rough draft is always filled with adverbs which I absolutely, ruthlessly (see?) cut out of my final drafts.
It seems every time I write a new manuscript, it’s filled with different strengths or weaknesses. I guess that’s all a part of learning and growing as a writer.
Thanks for stopping by! Please be sure to drop by and see Tracey Gee, the next blog for our topic, for more fun and enlightening stories about writing.
Betty Bolte
Loved your post! Thanks for sharing!
A.S. Fenichel
I always have to do an “ly” search at the end of my draft to get rid of the bulk of the adverbs. Nasty little buggers. 😀
Gemma Brocato
I completely understand the adverb thing. I didn’t realize Stephen King had said that. I’m going to remember that saying.
Collette Cameron
Ah, another case of an author who’s attached to adverbs. Me too.
Kim Handysides
Ooh. I eavesdrop for work too. As a voice actor, I constantly listen to speech patterns, rhythm, and tags of others. Fun!
Mishka Jenkins
I know what you mean about adverbs, they are always something I have to watch out for in editing 😀