• Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Robin Coyle

~ Ink of Me

Robin Coyle

Tag Archives: adjectives

Writing Lessons From the Funny Papers

17 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by robincoyle in In Search . . .

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

adjectives, comic strips, Jerry Scott, Jim Bergman, writers, writing, writing tips, Zits

The photo collage above was waiting for me in my in-box this morning. A good chuckle is a lovely way to start one’s morning. That is why the first thing I do while standing at the kitchen counter in the morning . . . bleary-eyed with coffee in hand . . . is read the newspaper’s comic page. Wars, famines, and political debates have to wait until I am more awake and have had a little laugh. I some how don’t think the world’s problems are going to go away while I read Zits in the funny papers.

If you don’t know it, Zits is about 16-year-old Jeremy and his parents. It is spot-on everyday. I think Jerry Scott and Jim Bergman, the strip’s creators, are brilliant writers. In three for four frames they capture what it is like to live with a teenager boy. What does this have to do with writing a novel you ask? A lot can be learned from their ability to tell a story in so little space. Sure, they have the advantage of the drawings to help them, but whenever I am tempted to use six adjectives to describe, let’s say, a good meal, I think of Zits. Wouldn’t one perfect word – like sumptuous – work better? Suddenly a “tasty, delicious, flavorful, yummy, appetizing, and delectable meal” seems bland.

Anyone have any ideas for a sumptuous meal I can make for dinner tonight? I’m too busy playing solitaire to go through my cookbooks.

My Blog

  • In Search . . . (269)
  • Strong vs Weak Words (48)
  • Uncategorized (14)

Recent Posts

  • A New Book and a New Blog Everyone!
  • Something positive has to come out of this, right?
  • Update on one sick puppy . . .
  • One sick puppy . . . and she needs your help
  • Taking a Stance on Stance Underwear

Who is this gal?

  • Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Enter your email to receive notifications of new posts, and no, we won't share your email address!

RobinCoyle.com

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Archives

  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • March 2017
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • August 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
July 2022
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Apr    

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Robin Coyle
    • Join 1,060 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Robin Coyle
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...