Succor: Strong Writing

Every writer loves to hear the compliment, "Now that's strong writing!" So, how can a writer learn to master strong, emotional writing? As a tutor, I strive to teach two simple rules. The first rule involves staying away from all state-of-being verbs, and the second involves deleting three certain suffixes. Following these two rules helps, but every writer will admit to breaking the rules just at the right time.

State-of-being verbs include: is, am, are, was, were, have, has, had, be, been, being, do, did, does, may, must, might, would, could, should, can, shall, will, appear, become, feel, remain, seem, look, grow, stay.

The best verbs show action: hit, run, play, work. State-of-being verbs, also called linking verbs, concentrate on the condition of a thing. That condition involves static motion, or non-movement. Here's what I teach my tutee's: The pencil is sitting on the table; you are quiet; I am here. Without action, state-of-being verbs bore.

Three suffixes worth talking about--and deleting from your manuscript, when possible-- include ing, ed, and ly. First, "ing" is usually part of a conscious or unconscious verb phrase created from the use of one or more helping verbs. By saying helping verbs, I mean state-of-being helping verbs; the very verbs that weaken writing.

Here's how a conscious sentence begins: Judy was walking her dog in the moonlight, when a monster jumped out in front of her.
Here's the unconscious version of that sentence: Walking her dog in the moonlight, a monster jumped out in front of her.

The state-of-being verb "was" becomes hidden from the reader in the unconscious version, but still the static from that verb usage rests within the reader, usually creating unrest from the need for action.

Second, the two suffixes "ed" and "ly" produce additional static motion. When used as a dialogue tag, the "ed" word stands alone without a direct object--and without action.

Here's the "ed" word without a direct object: "Give me an ice cream cone," Sue begged.
Here's an "ed" word with a direct object: Sue batted her long lashes, "Give me an ice cream cone."

Then, simply dropping the "ly" converts an adverb into a modifying adjective of an action verb.

Here's how an adverbial sentence works: Jo walked rapidly.
Here's how the converted adverb works: Jo's rapid baby steps pushed her up higher on her toes for the jump.

Finally, each writer chooses when to break the rules. My students usually break the rules after complete exhaustion, but still I ask them, "Is that your best?" "Are you happy?" "How do you feel?" All questions using state-of being verbs!