Writing Quotes: Ursula Le Guin on Adjectives and Adverbs

Once a week I’ll supply you with a quotation to encourage you in your writing life. I consider them all quotes for writers, even when they aren’t obviously about writing.

Today’s comes from Ursula Le Guin, as she cautions us to avoid overindulging.

Adjectives and adverbs are rich and good and fattening. The main thing is not to overindulge - Ursula Le Guin quotes | Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

 

Adjectives and adverbs are rich and good and fattening. The main thing is not to overindulge.

— Ursula Le Guin, Steering the Craft

Many memorable Ursula Le Guin quotes can be found in Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew, by Ursula K. Le Guin (updated and available in a new edition: Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story). 

Image design by Isabelle Kroeker.

2 thoughts on “Writing Quotes: Ursula Le Guin on Adjectives and Adverbs”

  1. Thank you . This one’s the only simple and appropriate quote I’ve come across on the overuse of adjs and advs.

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