In her book Steering the Craft, Ursula Le Guin advises: I recommend to all storytellers a watchful attitude and a thoughtful, careful choice of adjectives and adverbs, because the bakery shop of English is rich beyond belief, and narrative prose, particularly if it's going a long distance, needs more muscle than fat. (45) Write freely in draft mode. Get the story out … [Read more...]
Writing Quotes: Ursula Le Guin on what interests prose writers
Though I dabble in fiction and play with poetry, I'm primarily a prose writer, and I can attest to this quote from Ursula Le Guin: I'm curious about life and concerned about commas...and semicolons (but don't tell Kurt Vonnegut). "Prose writers are interested mostly in life and commas." — Ursula Le Guin Source: This and many other memorable Ursula Le Guin … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
