193. Verb Your Enthusiasm: Master the Art of the Verb with Sarah L. Kaufman

This week, Kyle and Emily talk, chat, banter, converse, and more with author and dance critic Sarah L. Kaufman about her new book Verb Your Enthusiasm. Drawing from her background in dance, Kaufman connects movement on stage to movement on the page, showing the surprising power of verbs to make writing more vivid and precise.From the practical to the poetic, Sarah expounds on verbs of manner, active vs. passive voice, and the nasty role adverbs can have in gumming up the works. They plunge deep into the concept of “show don’t tell” and how a few, well-chosen verbs can communicate big, encompassing ideas.Along the way, Kaufman preaches “clarity and grace”, good habits, and the ways in which verbs serve good writing. The episode–and the book–offers an approachable guide to making everyday writing sharper, more engaging, and more alive.Join us every week as we explore the fascinating origins and meanings of words, uncovering the hidden stories behind language and how it evolves over time, for language enthusiasts and etymology buffs alike.Like what you hear? Follow Butter No Parsnips elsewhere:• Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Twitch •Support the show:• Patreon • Website • Ko-fi •Produced by Seth Gliksman, Kyle Imperatore, and Emily MoyersMain theme and accompanying themes by Kyle Imperatore