You don’t have to search hard online to find new writers ranting about editorial rules and style guides. Whether it’s adverbs or the passive voice (amongst other topics), strong views are frequently expressed by those who – in effect – don’t like being told how to write. I have my own perspective on this topic, which I will share in a moment.
For context, I need to explain that in my day job as an editorial director working with scientific and medical content, I have to review and provide feedback on editorial pieces developed by other writers most days. In my 15+ years in this role, I have also had to train and mentor a number of junior writers. On the fiction side, I have – to date – written two novels and a number of short stories (the first novel – The Madness of the Faithful – will be released July 28 via Matador books)
As a writer and reviewer of both fiction and non-fiction, I am strongly in agreement with style guides on the topics referred to above. I find that adverbs can be a poor way of supplementing good prose, and some writers do overuse them – particularly after ‘said’ to change the way dialogue is delivered. It’s lazy and unimaginative. The use of the passive voice as well can lessen the impact of writing – leading to indirect, wordy sentences that lack clarity.
However, where I differ from many others sharing their views on this topic, is where the word ‘rule’ is used (or overused for that matter). By nature, writers are imaginative, independent-minded individuals with creative flair. You start telling them they have to write one way or another, and they will rail against this. As mentioned above, it’s easy to find debates or rants on Twitter relating to these rules and feelings of being stifled. I’ve seen many defending their own styles and arguing against the ‘editorial establishment’ for trying to lay down the law.
This is exactly the issue. Most people don’t like rules. Writers certainly don’t. What I’ve learned over the years as an editor and mentor is not to focus on the rules, but focus on the why. Specifically, think about the target audience. If writers ignore style guides and write in a certain way, then it is the target audience that suffers. Surely as writers, the reader should be the focus of our attention? They are the end-user for our output. They are the ones we want to truly love our books and stories.
Consider adverbs. If we use the analogy of cooking, adverbs are like seasoning. Are they needed? Absolutely, and more so in certain areas. But if we overdo the seasoning, the food may taste odd or too rich, so we must find the right balance, a balance that works for the target audience – our diner/reader. Similarly, the passive voice takes away from the impact of great storytelling. The flavours and textures of the food become lost, and the meal can be a mess of ingredients.
Ultimately, my point is this: let’s focus less on the rules and more on the impact on the end-user. A better understanding of how these various stylistic considerations affect the reader will be of greater value to new writers than a do/don’t list. Please forgive my cooking comparisons – I’m writing this before breakfast, and evidently, I am hungry!
