Did I delete every single adverb out of that manuscript? Of course not! They're a useful tool like any other. But we tend to overuse them, and by doing so, we stop ourselves from learning stronger ways to transmit information to the reader. (3/3)

Not bc adverbs are evil and you're Not Allowed To Use Them Ever, but rather, bc if you're able to get rid of the adverb, then you didn't need the adverb.

I deleted *twelve pages* of adverbs out of my first manuscript. One superfluous "softly" won't wreck you, but 3k of them will. (2/3)

You are *killing it!* Best of luck with your capstone -- creative writing under a deadline is no joke, but it sounds like you have the resources you need to nail it.

Sure! But this level of support isn't accessible to most folks learning to write as adults, so I'm trying to encourage new writers to slow down and have patience with themselves and their skills. It sounds like you're working exactly at your pace, and imo that's fantastic.

The trunk isn't permanent! Many writers pull old manuscripts out of the trunk once they've developed the skills to rewrite / revise them. Even if you don't publish this first version of the story, the idea -- and the work you do on it now -- will never be wasted.

Many writers feel this way about their first passion project (myself included!). For some, the feelings change as years pass and new ideas have time to cook. Others will draft their passion project, set it aside, write other things, then come back to edit / revise it down the line.

When we pick up a new instrument, we usually don't expect to go straight from Lesson One to paid gigs.

Give. Yourself. Time.

Find critique partners who vibe with you. Get as much (and give as much!) feedback as you can. Your future catalogue (and cortisol levels) will thank you. (9/9)

Tldr: Draft and edit your first novel for the sake of writing, not for the sake of publishing. If you want to share it with others, there are ways to do so that don't involve becoming a paid creative professional right off the bat. Or, to give you another adjacent analogy: (8/9)