Opinion of one editor: Adverbs can be okay

Most writers hear we should never use adverbs. The cat loudly meowed. The kitten crept slowly along the carpet.

Most editors will take these out. The cat meowed. The kitten crept along the carpet.

When should you use adverbs? Too many adverbs, in my opinion, clutter a reading experience. But look at the above sentences. In the first example, saying it was a loud meow makes a difference. In the second example, the word "crept" indicated that it was slow movement. Don't need the adverb.

My advice is to not depend on adverbs to emphasize actions. Your verb should do that job. Sometimes, you want a little emphasis, and when you use an adverb to do that, think it over and choose just the right one.

I would change the first example to a stronger verb. The cat howled. I would take "slowly" out of the second example.

A fine place to use an adverb is in action sequences. If your verb doesn't do the action justice, carefully pick an adverb.

The litter screamed while mama cat settled in gently to feed her babes.

The litter screamed while mama cat settled in to feed her babes.

Adding "gently" says something about how mama cat feels about her kittens.

Use adverbs sparingly and with some good thought.

Commas and Buts

Usually a "but" should be preceded by a comma:

Spooky had her kittens, but she wasn't finished her hunting career just yet.

Some people like to put a comma after "but" when "but" starts a sentence.

But, the kittens were lonely while she hunted.

I hear that's the correct way to do it.

However, not having a comma after "but" can make a sentence punchier.

But Spooky prowled the night anyway.

When I'm editing and a "but" begins a sentence, I let the author do it however they see fit. My job is to make it consistent throughout the text.

Some editing rules can be bent for stylistic purposes. If it works, it works.

Update

We made it through the storms and had no power for what felt like forever. Back to work now. I'm backed up until mid-June, and my co-editors can take on a couple projects a month as they work as freelancers and can work as their schedules allow.

I'm backed up from the power being out, so the projects I have contracted will take a little longer. Many thanks to the authors who have all been understanding and helpful.

I also have four new kittens to attend to, born on my birthday when the power was out. Spooky is a great mother cat.

I think I contacted everyone I'm working with, but if I missed someone, feel free to write and ask the status of your book.

Power Out

This is Lisa's brother posting for the Hazards. The storms in Alabama have knocked out power in the Hazards' hometown, and they expect to be without power for 5-7 days. Unfortunately, they won't be able to contact anyone or do any work until their power is back.

Hazard Editing Welcomes Cherie Reich as an Editor

Cherie will be able to start taking projects May 10th. Read more about her here.

Editing for Indies

I want to write about this because I think it's important for my writers and possible potential writers to know.

As I state on the main heading of my site, indie writing offers an alternative to major publishing. It's not just in the subject matters or genre-bending, but in the editing.

What I do as an editor or proofreader is keep your voice intact. There are some things that can be clipped, comma-ed (I just made up a word), taken out, put in, reworded, but mostly I make a readable text that will not distract the reader with typos or grammatical errors and will enhance what the author is saying.

I feel like I can understand a vibe of a book. If your characters say certain things a certain way, I get it. That's what you're doing. My job is to make it look pretty and to take out overused words.

The beauty of the literature landscape with indie writers getting their books out in e-format is that it's not all the same. There's something for everyone. There's magic in every book I have worked on so far. I love reading and writing and I will not make your book cookie-cutter. Neither will my freelancers.

Patricia La Barbera Has Joined Hazard Editing

Please welcome Ms. La Barbera to Hazard Editing. You can read about her here. She has gobs of experience and an eye for editing.

I will be giving some of my projects to Patricia so that authors will not have to wait as long for their edits, critiques and proofreading. If you have a preference for either of us, please say so when you write for services. She understands keeping each author's voice unique through the editing process. She is also experienced in mainstream editing, so keep that in mind if you want those services.

Ms. La Barbera is a Hazard Cat contributor and mentioned she is also a freelance editor. I gave her several editing tests, and she is friendly, receptive and open-minded.