: Re: How do you use adverbs properly in fiction writing? How do you use adverbs properly in fiction writing? In a related question, a reply states: When to use [adverbs]? When your alternative

@Karen856

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Sparingly. (Apologies - couldn't resist)

I think Henry's covered the most important use - where they define a character. If they do that, they're not only a proper way to express things but a good (and possibly the best) way.

Usually there will be another way to write things - for example this question could have been :

What is the proper way to use adverbs in fiction writing?

which avoids the adverb without rummaging for a pretentious adjective. While it's worth exploring that, the right answer might be an adverb depending on the effect the writer is looking to produce, for example :

It was strangely cold

"feels" different to :

It was strange how cold it was

seeming (to me, at least) more romantic than pragmatic.

There will be instances where using an adverb is the best way to convey the writer's thoughts or the thoughts the writer is trying to inspire in the reader but, as with any technique, the effect will diminish the more frequently it's used.

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