The adverb debate

I don’t usually talk writing but what the heck. A recent discussion on one of my writing loops brought up the topic of adverbs. A screenwriter posted to the loop stating another screenwriter told him not to use adverbs and wanted to know what other loop members thought. When everyone agreed that adverbs were the devil he got upset and defensive. I firmly believe I’m adamant that if you use a strong enough action verb you don’t need an adverb to modify it.

But what do you think? Readers, do you notice adverbs? Do you care?

Writers, we’re told to cut as many of them out as possible because it’s sloppy writing. But are they needed once in a while? Or can you eliminate them completely? When I’m writing a novel or a screenplay I try not to use them. In my screenplays I find it much easier to get rid of all of them.

Time to get some writing done, sans adverbs.

Until next time…

Cindy

CPA - Day 7

Last night was Day 7 of Citizens’ Police Academy. All the days have been interesting and I can’t say that any one day is more interesting than another. Last night, however was one of my favourites. It started with the homicide unit, part of the major crimes bureau. Lots of great information there. We learned the statistics of course. Statistically, 82% of homicide victims are murdered by someone they know. I was happy to learn that 87% of the homicides in my region were solved last year, or maybe it was the year before. That’s higher than the national average of 85%.

Next up was the intelligence unit. OMG, it was so good. Loved it. The officer speaking was amazing. He had so much energy, loved his job even though it can get tedious. He made it sound like intelligence was the best thing ever. Since I want to eventually write spy thrillers I was on the edge of my seat when he broke down how a case would go from start to finish. I was also very surprised to find out that witness protection is handled under this unit.

Our third speaker was from the guns and gangs unit. Lots of stuff to look out for. I’ll be paying a lot more attention to graffiti now. And paying special attention to groups of people using hand signals that aren’t standard sign language. Gangs are everywhere and if you think your neighbourhood isn’t affected get your head out of the sand and pay attention.

The last speaker was with the drugs and morality unit. He loved his job too. His favourite part of the job was the undercover work. I gotta say, that intrigues me too. Maybe that’s why I liked the intelligence guy’s talk so much too. Lots of undercover work involved in that as well. So the drug and morality unit handles drugs, illegal gaming, sex trades.

It was a great night even though I did not win the draw to go on a ride-a-long. http://www.cindycarroll.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif

I’m off to get some actual writing done.

Until next time…

Cindy

CPA - Day 6

Day 6 was Tuesday and it was great. We had the hostage negotiator. Sorry, crisis negotiator. We don’t get many hostage situations here. What I found the most interesting was how much she loves her job. How much she gets psyched when she gets the call even at 2 a.m. to go out and talk to someone. Movies always portray hostage (crisis) negotiators as bitter, burnt out cops. I know I could never do that job. I don’t have the patience to talk to someone on the phone for eight hours trying to convince them to come out, or not kill themselves. Maybe if I was actually in that situation it would be different. But I’m not really a phone person to begin with. And after eight hours I’d be pulling out my hair.

Next up was the recruiting guy. Now, on my comment sheet I suggested they might want to put him on last. I wasn’t there because I wanted to BE a police officer. I want all the other information. And wouldn’t it be better to have half the people leave and speak to a room of 25 people who actually want to hear what you have to say instead of 50 people where half of them aren’t paying attention? Of course, even though I say that, I took a lot of notes when he was speaking. Hey, I never know what my characters might say about how they became officers.

Last was the forensic presentation. Thanks to forensic shows I knew pretty much all of it anyway. And I’m talking the real shows - Forensic Files, Medical Detectives, Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science, F2: Forensic Factor - not the fiction crime shows. It was still interesting and all from a Canadian point of view which I loved. Since my books are set in Canada I need to get that stuff right.

Next week is the draw for a ride-a-long. Wish me luck!

I must get some work done now.

Until next time…

Cindy

CPA - Day 5

Okay so it’s a week late. But after day 5 last week my sinuses decided to take me on and they’re kicking my ass. The perfume and cologne people wear during class is slowly killing me. I can’t give up the classes though because they’re awesome. I’m getting so much information and ideas bubbling just below the surface. So I endure the dizziness, the coughing, the pounding head, the pressure that makes me feel like my cheeks are going to explode out of my face. Scent allergies are a real thing and I wish people would be mindful of that.

Off the soapbox now.

Day 5 was amazing. It started out with the TRU team. The tactical rescue unit. Think Flashpoint only real life. Highly specialized officers that deal with high risk situations. The presentation was great. They did a live demonstration outside, of a high risk traffic stop. They had the lights and sirens going, had full gear on and were using the loud speaker. No wonder they had to warn the region about noise for this one.

The marine unit was next (I think, I don’t have the course outline with me). I was surprised to learn that they actually do work all year round though they don’t get many calls in the winter months. They have other duties to attend to when they’re not out on the water. It looked like a very cool unit and made me think more and more about a character I wanted to create years ago who was a police diver.

Explosive deposal unit was up next. Very cool presentation and he brought show and tell items! A grenade is heavier than I thought it would be. They do have a robot to do the dirty work. He let one of the students try on the bomb suit. It weighs about a hundred pounds. I don’t think I could handle that. Plus it gets really hot, even though it has its own cooling unit.

Last was the K-9 unit. Good presentation. The dogs are used for what you would expect. Mostly tracking (articles, people) and finding drugs. I don’t know that I could handle it though. I love animals and even though I “know” the reasoning behind leaving the dogs outside all the time I don’t like it. And I would always see the dog as a dog. Not a police officer. I wouldn’t want it to get in the way of a bullet or a blade. Criminals don’t care if it’s an animal.

I’ll post day 6 on Friday. That was a really good day too.

I’m off to get some work done.

Until next time…

Cindy

CPA - Day 4

Tuesday was day four of citizen police academy. The homicide bureau traded spots with the identity theft and fraud unit. So, on the agenda we had collision reconstruction, identity theft and fraud and the domestic violence unit.

It was interesting to me that the collision reconstruction unit does not use accident reconstruction software. At least nothing about that was mentioned. It’s all math and physics and sketches. They do have a machine that takes measurements and can map out the area on the computer but that’s as far as it went. Collision reconstruction fascinates me. I love math and science. I’m just horrible at them.

The identity theft and fraud unit was interesting but all stuff I pretty much knew. We had an officer come into our work to speak about that last year. Still, it was a good refresher. Always cover the input pad when you’re typing in your PIN. Never give out your PIN or password to anyone especially if you get an email asking for it. Doesn’t matter if it looks like it came from your bank. They don’t need to ask for that information. They already have it. Shred bill statements and bank statements. Don’t make public any information that can be used to steal your identity such as your birth date. He didn’t mention this, but I know this from working in payroll. NEVER give your SIN to anyone other than your employer, your bank and on credit card applications.

The domestic violence unit was what I expected as well. They handle a very large volume of cases. I hope one day the unit won’t be needed anymore but I have my doubts. I write about the horrible things people can do to each other and I don’t think people being horrible to others will go away.

I need to get some work done. Day five should be interesting. I try to post that one on time.

Until next time…

Cindy

CPA - Day 2

Well, where do I start? Day 2 was the scenarios day. We started right at seven and were barely seated five minutes when we were split up into four groups and taken to different stations for various scenarios.

My first station was the range! I wanted to do that first so I was thrilled that’s where my group got to go first. It was very cool. I had never fired a gun before so I was a little nervous. There were a people who got to shoot before me so I could hear the gun shots while the rest of us waited. They’re really loud. A gun shot is one of the scariest sounds I’ve heard. We had to wear body armour. It was very light weight. And of course there was the protective eye and ear gear. Even with the ear plugs and the mufflers (looked like headphones) over my ears I could hear the gun loud and clear when I fired it. The instructor’s voice sounded far away though. I got the first four shots right in the target area.  The fifth shot, the one I was thinking about, the one I squeezed off fast, went low, outside the target area.

There were so many things I wanted to write down when we did the traffic stop. And the other scenarios but of course my binder and pen were in the auditorium. It would have been difficult to write it down anyway. I should have brought a tape recorder. I’m hoping they do a quick review or recap next week and make some of the same points.

The firing range was definitely the highlight for me. The other stuff, the scenarios, I pretty much knew and I have access to law enforcement people I can ask questions of. But the hands on gun handling and shooting, I could never get that by asking someone. I was surprised my hands didn’t shake when I held the gun. The instructor said I had a good grip. Though I knew there would be recoil I was surprised at it anyway.

Can’t wait for Day 3. Now, I must get to work.

Until next time…

Cindy