A while back when I was browsing for potential agents for my projects, I came across an interview with Babz Betila of The Silver Betila Agency. One of the questions that was asked was about a script's readability. Babz mentioned that screenwriters should avoid using "Rileys". Using a Riley is the excessive use of words ending in ING or LY... tons of adjectives and basically anything that overcomplicates the script. After reading that, I started going through my scripts and found that to my surprise there were tons and I mean TONS of ING words and LY words.
I started editing each page, focusing on every single word, and as I cleaned up my bad writing habits, I found that the script read a WHOLE lot better. Less is always more in the world of screenwriting. I don't know if this will help anybody, but it helped me a lot. Then again, it might be old news and I'm just slow. :D
Excellent advice, and cut all the adverbs while you're at it - find stronger verbs. Also keep in mind that everything portrayed on the screen is in present tense. Cut conjunctions; 'and' can be replaced by a coma. Write it tight.
Joshua, I did the exact same thing after finding a similar article I found out about here on Stage 32.
Great post you put up...all the very best to you!
Solid advice. I have not heard this before. Appreciate the share.
A wrlyie, a parenthetical, is different than the use of adverbs or adjectives ending in LY or ING. The former is to be used sparingly, the latter, as others note, should be avoided.
https://www.scriptmag.com/features/spec-scripts-fail-wrylie-parenthetical-2
John D - there is a difference between rileys and wrylies.
I can't find any reference to 'Rileys'. It seems a homophone.
Here is the transcript that I read: http://www.sellingyourscreenplay.com/podcast-transcripts/sys-podcast-epi...
It is quite possible that the individual that transcribed the discussion wrote "Rileys" as opposed to "Wrylys"
Homophonically, yes.