Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing

A writing handbook that celebrates the infinite pizzazz of verbs.

Writers know it instinctively: Verbs make a sentence zing. Grammar gurus agree: Drama in writing emerges from the interplay of a subject (noun) and a predicate (verb). Constance Hale, the best-selling author of Sin and Syntax, zooms in on the colorful world of verbs. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language―from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. She warns about habits to avoid and inspires with samples of brilliant writing. A veteran teacher, Hale gives writing prompts along the way, helping readers “try, do, write, play.” Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch guides us to more powerful writing by demonstrating how to use great verbs with style.

In Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch, Constance Hale, the best-selling author of Sin and Syntax, spells out exactly what we need to know about verbs to write with confidence and panache.
A veteran journalist and teacher, Hale divides each chapter into four easy-to-grasp sections. "Vex" grapples with a confusing part of syntax (e.g., when do you use the past tense, and when is past perfect better?). "Hex" shatters myths about verbs (you can split an infinitive). "Smash" warns you of common bad habits (when the passive voice is tantamount to a cop-out). Finally, "Smooch" showcases writing "so good you'll want to kiss its creator."
For illustration, Hale draws from great works of literature, hailing the coinages of Shakespeare, the spareness of Ernest Hemingway, the precision of Susan Orlean, and the subversive Spanglish of Junot Díaz. She intersperses her commentary with sidebars and "vox pops," quoting linguists, historians, pop-culture heroes, and working writers. Brimming with unashamed enthusiasm for the highbrow and the low-, Hale culls, too, from snappy "tweets," advertising slogans, and Facebook status updates.
After reading Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch, writers of every level of expertise will be able to use verbs more artfully. This is a much-needed addition to any bookshelf, a fresh guide to perking up your prose, spinning supple sentences, and surprising readers.