"Never Use An Adverb To Modify Said"

This is a continuation of my ideas about the advice in a NYT column linked in my post about writing advice from Elmore Leonard.
     Again, I must admonish Mr. Leonard for the use of the word "Never", as I feel there may be instances, however infrequent, where such adverb modifications may and should be used.
     One of my favorite characters by one of my favorite writers is the wizard Harry in Jim Butcher's Dresden Series. I don't know how it gets past proof readers or editors, but many times throughout several of these books, the dialogue tag for when Harry speaks is, "He said quietly." This usually is appropriate to the action and doesn't necessarily disrupt the story, but as a reader I do notice it. 
     While we are told that if we write well our characters feelings and even personalities can and should be shown through their actions and words, sometimes a writer has to clarify how a character says something. If we read, "'Everyone dies eventually,' he said.", we might naturally think the character is realistic and accepting of this fact of life.
     However, to convey something different about the character's thoughts and outlook, sometimes clarification of how they say something is necessary. "'Everyone dies eventually,' she said cheerfully." depicts an entirely different attitude and/or personality. "'Everyone dies eventually,' she said wearily." might be more an illustration of a character's feelings at a given moment or their reaction to a situation than a mindset; but again, how a character acts or speaks in certain circumstances helps show who they are.
     I feel that truly great writers can find, choose and create dialogue where the character's specific words would convey the feelings behind them, but for those of us who are still striving to reach that level, sometimes using an adverb to modify "said" is not only advisable, but necessary.

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Sharing Good Information

It's kind of embarrassing that I forgot to write my blog this weekend, which I know is when I have to do it or it won't get posted on the days it is scheduled. I have lots of "reasons", but I don't believe in excuses for missing deadlines. I will give myself a break because becoming a grandmother - even when I've had close to a year to get used to the idea - is a bigger shock than I expected.

      Because part of my blogging mission is to share useful, encouraging information, I think that offering links to other writers' websites that I appreciate is a valid posting option. I particularly like the following one because it encourages some things that I do in my own writing, that are not always thought of as positive.

 

WRITERS ON WRITING; Easy on the Adverbs, Exclamation Points and Especially Hooptedoodle - New York T

www.nytimes.com

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What We Can Learn From Our Idols

     My writers group, Living Writers' Collective, has been celebrating our 5th year by having members contribute their Top Five on various topics which are then published on the group's website. Recently the category centered on who our top five favorite writers were and what we learned from them. For me it's a case of 'what do I wish I could learn from them'. Back in July I blogged about some of my favorite authors and I wanted to mention what they do well that I wish I could.
     Dick Francis. IMO best mystery/thriller writer ever. According to his biography, he never edited or rewrote anything; he just made sure before wrote the words that the words he was putting down were precisely the way he wanted them. Hard to believe - I have never heard another writer make that claim. In fact, most say exactly the opposite. That's not what I wish I could learn to do, although it would be cool.
     DF's plots are great, but what I love most are his characters. Within the first few pages I fall in love with nearly all his protagonists. Most of his books are written in the first person and you find out a great deal about them very quickly, all through their thoughts and actions.
     The main characters don't describe themselves. They don't say, "I refuse to let people bully others", "I'm kind and generous", or "I'm insecure, but always try my best". Other characters don't describe the protagonist: "He believes in hard work and honesty"; "He has no tolerance for liars and cheats". Yet the reader knows these things clearly very early in the narrative.
     I read and re-read Francis' books to try to learn how he does it. I've not yet been able to pinpoint it. I have not been able to emulate it. In fact, I'm not good enough to even come close. But I keep trying. And because of Dick Francis, I know it can be done and what to aim for.

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