Saturday, June 13, 2009

Dread, more than fear and hard verbs

I was told that my action scene didn't grab the reader because I didn't use hard verbs. The writer gave me examples of hard verbs, but I didn't see the difference. I've been looking on the internet for, "Hard Verbs" but all I've found was that verbs were hard. But wait, maybe it's how you use the words.

I recently read an article and I'm sorry, I don't remember from where, but it was about writing horror. I don't write horror, but I think there may be some similarities to writing suspense. The article said, and I misquote, Dread more than fear can drive a story.

Have you ever read a story where you dreaded continuing to read? Dean Koontz, in my opinion, is a master of creating dread.

Okay, I hope I've given you something to think about.






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4 comments:

  1. I dreaded every turn of the page when I foolishly decided to follow the herd and read The Da Vinci Code. After each chapter I couldn't believe it could get worse, but sure enough it did.

    I would stick to your own guns with regards your writing if I were you ... just a thought.

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  2. You know these people who say big verbs are it, they truely are brain heavy and common sence light. I don't like being tested. I like reading and loving. Tell them to take a pill. Smile

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  3. ? hard verbs...do they make it up as they go along?

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  4. I find that the best advice I've received as a life-long writer and an aspiring author is to use my own voice. I agree that using a variety of verbs (and nouns too!) makes my work better, but to use a hard verb because it works for one writer may not work in my book.

    Listen to the advice. Read. And then use your own voice. It's the only one that is unique.

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