tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2851300550156884106..comments2024-03-29T08:39:57.608-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Michael ShererJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47557123438565295482012-11-26T14:37:54.205-05:002012-11-26T14:37:54.205-05:00I'm in favor of verbs, not adverbs, that descr...I'm in favor of verbs, not adverbs, that describe how someone speaks on occasion. "Say" or "said" becomes invisible to the reader, and often your characters' actions will indicate how they're speaking. But once in a while, someone does need to shout or whisper or scream, or, yes, growl. <br /><br />The rule against adverbs--those "-ly" words--is a good one because you as the writer should be able to convey what's happening to the reader that adverbs become unnecessary. Adverbs tend to convey the speaker's emotions, but actions and subtext should do that.<br /><br />Mike<br /><br />Michael Shererhttp://www.michaelwsherer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-82959484082249585262012-11-25T15:58:00.868-05:002012-11-25T15:58:00.868-05:00Interesting thoughts about age and word developmen...Interesting thoughts about age and word development. It reminds me of a grandson who, at 3.5 years, had decoded the way letters create words and the way written words become spoken words. He picked up a new library book and read, with expression, all the way through. <br /><br />I think about how many words have different meanings to different people. I'm reminded that the spoken word can be different from the printed word, depending on the tone of voice used. That reminds me of some so-called 'rules' that some people have for writing, like 'don't use adverbs', 'always have the character say something rather than growl or whisper or shout it.<br /><br />I think those rules try to forbid these colorful, informative words in favor of simplification. Where do you stand on this?Anne MacKaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-67064034506812345222012-11-25T15:00:08.433-05:002012-11-25T15:00:08.433-05:00Paula,
I did not think that waa even remotely high...Paula,<br />I did not think that waa even remotely highjacky!! It made me recall how when my daughter was little whenever I used a new word, she'd repeat it and then within five or ten minutes find a way to use it in the conversation.<br /><br />Thelma- Will definitely check it out!! <br /><br />Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81834349339948637812012-11-25T13:32:50.969-05:002012-11-25T13:32:50.969-05:00Hi, All you great Jungle Reds! I read your post da...Hi, All you great Jungle Reds! I read your post daily! Be sure to read my " What If" about your esteemed Hank P. Ryan on the Crime Writers Chronicle Sunday, Dec. 2 -www.crimewriters.blogspot.com Thelma Straw in Manhattan --Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50081420183444703772012-11-25T12:29:31.434-05:002012-11-25T12:29:31.434-05:00Hi Michael--Like Jan, I love reading about brain s...Hi Michael--Like Jan, I love reading about brain science and the ways we learn. I actually was diagnosed as dyslexic and still have trouble telling left from right.<br /><br />Fascinating study you've mentioned, and must listen to the radio program.<br /><br />And read your books!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-91342161422583518882012-11-25T12:29:21.310-05:002012-11-25T12:29:21.310-05:00Oooh, the conversation is veering dangerously clos...Oooh, the conversation is veering dangerously close to one of my soapbox topics - early language development. <br /><br />I will keep it brief by agreeing wholeheartedly with what Jim said about children needing broad, enriching, developmentally appropriate experiences with language. Even early on when infants "don't understand" what we're saying, they are always learning. <br /><br />I will add that the tv doesn't count. I know kids pick up words from tv (that can be good or bad, of course!), but they are passive learners in that setting. They are not interacting which is what makes those brain connections.<br /><br />Ok, so that was less brief and more hijack-y than I intended...sorry! Here's a funny exchange to distract you:<br />K (3): We have a lot of stairs in our house. Some stairs go up to upstairs and some go down to the basement.<br /><br />C (2): If only we had an elevator...<br />paulabucknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68442078484442148572012-11-25T12:06:55.224-05:002012-11-25T12:06:55.224-05:00I think this is a fascinating post. I often ask m...I think this is a fascinating post. I often ask my friends who are bilingual what language they think in and if it changes when they are here, or in their native country. <br /><br />I love just about anything about the brain - but add language and I am totally there.<br /><br />thanks so much for sharing with us - <br /><br />Jan <br />Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8748823925844233062012-11-25T11:33:34.697-05:002012-11-25T11:33:34.697-05:00Hey MIchael! And welcome..
I had a long talk yest...Hey MIchael! And welcome..<br /><br />I had a long talk yesterday with 6 year old who asked me whether dogs could think and communicate the same was we do. It was fascinating to hear what she thought!<br /><br /> Then we talked about codes, and how to make a code. And I watched her, literally watched her, think about that, and come up with a code method that would really work. It was the simplest of ideas, but I did NOT help her. She came up with it out of her own thin air.<br /><br />SIgh. Wonderful, huh?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33343706929446440012012-11-25T10:16:53.465-05:002012-11-25T10:16:53.465-05:00Michael,
I've read about similar studies befo...Michael,<br /><br />I've read about similar studies before and one of the things I realize is how important it is for children to have a broad pallet of enriching experiences that are age appropriate.<br /><br />When we don't give young children exposure to reading and hearing language spoken well starting at an early age, it is very difficult for them to ever catch up to those with the supporting learning environment.<br /><br />The contest on your website is a very interesting approach to drawing in readers. Congratulations for thinking it up (or stealing the idea and implementing it well.)<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-55044357768880372072012-11-25T07:39:22.766-05:002012-11-25T07:39:22.766-05:00Hey Michael, thanks for stopping over! so interest...Hey Michael, thanks for stopping over! so interesting to hear about the rats--and also the idea that we'd have perception, but no thinking without words. For someone who's busy thinking ALL THE TIME, that's a wild concept. It would be more peaceful in my brain:)<br /><br />Wishing you lots of sales!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80217301108157132712012-11-25T00:16:55.153-05:002012-11-25T00:16:55.153-05:00Thanks for the very interesting and thought-provok...Thanks for the very interesting and thought-provoking comments . . . I am looking forward to reading your book.<br /><br />I think that writers have long known and understood the importance of words. It’s almost staggeringly difficult to imagine a world without words or language --- it’s a chilling thought to remind us that this power of words is perhaps more than we ever knew . . . or imagined. Joan Emersonnoreply@blogger.com