It’s not surprising that writers often argue about words, but the sheer animosity that adverbs can sometimes provoke would shock even the most hardened WWF fan. Tonight on LITOPIA AFTER DARK we’re looking at adverbs (words that modify any other part of speech, e.g. quickly, amazingly, often) and ask why it is that so many writers – Stephen King is one – hate them with a vengeance.
We’re also looking at literary tropes – common patterns, themes, motifs in literature – often the building-blocks of story, but also capable of being over-used and cliché-ridden if not handled judiciously by the skilled writer. And just in case you’re thinking we’re getting awfully highbrow this evening, we’re also turning our attention to Gordon Brown’s iPod, Berlusconi’s sex tapes, and there’s a nob gag at the end. Something for everyone, then!
Tonight’s coruscating panel comprises our regulars Dave Bartram and Donna Ballman; there’s a more-than-welcome return from children’s author and publishing trade commentator Graham Marks, and making his debut is round-the-world sailor and paranormal romance writer David Bridger.
Topics covered and links include:
- Literary tropes
- Adverb rage
- Eleven million names on school vetting database
- How Amazon’s remote deletion of e-books from the Kindle paves the way for book-banning’s digital future
- Premature announcements of the death of Urban Fantasy
This week’s beyond-outré titles for the pandemoniacal Commissioning Meeting are:
“Randy of the River: The Adventures of a Young Deckhand”
By Horatio Alger, 1832-1899“Reed Anthony: Cowman”
By Andy Adams, 1859-1935“The Rivet in Grandfather’s Neck – A Comedy of Limitations”
By James Branch Cabell, 1879-1958“Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks”
By Horatio Alger, 1832-1899
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