![DQmYwJakcvRrMkML4VkAJ6Cgo8Vfy2atnErcm97jJBehoum.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYwJakcvRrMkML4VkAJ6Cgo8Vfy2atnErcm97jJBehoum/DQmYwJakcvRrMkML4VkAJ6Cgo8Vfy2atnErcm97jJBehoum.png)

I've been pretty avid about keeping y'all updated on Write Club, so there's not a lot to say there. As you know (or should know?) I finished my first Write Club story. It was for a prompt where there had to be a sacrificial gift in the story, so my story involves a musician singing a song for a friend going through a breakup, despite the fact that her ex walks in. So the song ends up being a declaration that she's okay and she's moving on.

Yeah, it's a tad confusing yet somehow pretty boring, but it gives a little insight into what it's like to be an independent musician, what goes on in musicians heads, and also happens to reflect my own personal struggles. In case you haven't read, I've been going through a bad breakup and, yeah, it's been a month, but I was with her for two whole years and I haven't been without love and attention in a long time. They weren't healthy, no, but they made me feel wanted, so now I'm struggling with doubt and confidence issues again.

Whippee!

So you get that from my story. Isn't that nice? Teehee, I love you guys. If you're still reading, you're a boss!

Okay, tips to improve your writing #3 (and this is a tough one...)

<h1>Adverbs</h1>

Hooooly crap. This is where this blog gets real. This is where people get mad and start questioning why they write in the first place.

<b>Why?</b>

Because adverbs are *crazy* commonplace, even in popular and published literature (it's more likely in page turners though. See: Tom Clancy, Stephen King, etc.)

<b>Okay, well, what *is* an adverb?</b> 

An adverb modifies a verb. It usually ends in -ly.
An example of one would be: <i>He shanked the watermelon rapidly.</i>
Or: <i>Trump has run our country poorly.</i>
One more: <i>The ghost floated casually.</i>

Not great examples, but you came here for the *truth*, not greatness! Well, the truth is great I guess, but listen. I dunno.

In short, adverbs for verbs is like ketchup for sandwiches.

<b>But wait Caleb, I like ketchup on my sandwiches! What the hey??</b>

Do you understand *why* you like ketchup on your sandwiches though? Probably because your sandwich isn't good enough to eat on it's own.

Same with adverbs and verbs. Or sentences. If you need an adverb to get your point across, your sentence just isn't very strong. And, in short, editors don't like them and one [Stephen King](https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/03/13/stephen-king-on-adverbs/) *loathes* them. (Just to let you knw, the link I hyperlinked is good for adverb stuff, but he uses dialogue tags which is a crazy no-no. You can read about why you shouldn't use dialogue tags [here](https://steemit.com/writeclub/@caleblailmusik/write-or-wrong-what-to-avoid-when-crafting-your-stories-entry-1)).

Watch what happens when we modify the above sentences to make them stronger:
<i>He shanked the watermelon. The hatred burned in his eyes as chunks of watermelon flesh flied past his face.</i>
Or: <i>Trump has mismanaged our country. I mean, dang. </i>
And of course: <i>The casual ghost floated, boss as ever.</i>

Of course, these sentences could've been modified in different ways, but that's no fun. Point is, adverbs are lazy and, similar to dialogue tags, they take you from the story and slow down the pace, rather than improving the quality of your prose.

So make you a dang sandwich that don't need no ketchup. White people: *Season that chicken already!*

I'm talking about your prose of course... or not...

Love you guys, God bless, and see you next time on Write or Wrong!