In the opening chapters of MUTINY there is a conversation between the protagonist – Sir Christopher – and Reginald, a recruiter from MI6:
[“Be careful, Sir Christopher, and watch your back.” She reaches into her handbag. “If anything happens, call this number.” The card is impressive and embossed. “Let me show you out,” she says, “and I’ll check nobody’s snooping around.”]
A quick re-read of this clip makes me wonder about the sentence, The card is impressive and embossed. Why not take out the word ‘impressive’ and leave ’embossed?’ After all, would an embossed card be impressive? Is ‘impressive’ a wasted word in this case? I’m leaning towards the simplified sentence, with ‘impressive’ removed but can’t decide whether Sir Christopher was impressed by the card enough for me to leave that in. Someone once told me, “If in doubt, don’t.” Therefore, I’m leaving the sentence alone. Now, dear bloggers, you can understand the tortuous word-play we have to wrestle with as authors. I hope you’re impressed!