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

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.