Cliché: “You may argue that they are ‘relatable’ so why not
use them? But the way in which one experiences things isn’t always the same. As
writers, it’s your duty to make readers experience your story from a unique
point of view. Your point of view,” pg 8-9 Adverbs
& Clichés in a Nutshell.
Today I’m doing a review for Jessica Bell’s new release Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell.
Blurb:
Have you been told you use too many adverbs and
clichés in your writing? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!
In Adverbs
& Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés
into Gourmet Imagery, you will find thirty-four examples of prose which
clearly demonstrate how to turn those pesky adverbs and clichés into vivid and
unique imagery. Extra writing prompts are also provided at the end of the book.
Not only is this pocket guide an excellent
learning tool for aspiring writers, but it is a user-friendly and simple
solution to honing your craft no matter how broad your writing experience. With
the convenient hyper-linked Contents Page and Indexes you can toggle backward
and forward from different examples with ease. Use your e-reader's highlighting
and note-taking tools to keep notes as you read, and/or record your story
ideas, anywhere, anytime.
Click one of the following links to purchase:
My review:
The first thing I noticed about Bell’s book was how easy and
fast it is to read. I had expected long essays explaining things. However, Bell
gave the reader something more. While she did write a beginning essay for the
book the entire rest is all made up of exercises to teach her readers how to
create a unique example for their writing with adverbs and clichés as a starting
point.
This book would be a terrific resource for beginning writers
in teaching differences and showing how to use adverbs and clichés creatively.
Yet, it would also be helpful to seasoned writers, in taking them out of either
their normal routines or just brushing up on some skills.
Bell’s examples range anywhere from one adverb and a one-sentence
cliché, to paragraphs as rewriting exercises. I found some of them to be more
difficult than others to try and make a unique example of, but the more I began
writing them out, the easier it was for me to proceed to the next one.
In general, I think Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell
would be a valuable resource for any writer. The exercises alone make this book
worth buying, and there are so many of them that the only way a writer wouldn’t
find it useful is to not do the examples. I give it three stars as a useful
writing tool.
Bio:
The Australian-native contemporary fiction author and poet, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an
editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such
as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and
Cengage Learning.
For more information about Jessica please visit:
