Here's an interesting writing exercise...

[KillerMuffin]

It's Mickie's fault, blame him! He said not to use an -ly word when you can describe the action. He's soooooo right.

But use -ly words!

What are adverbs? Descriptive words that describe all parts of speech except for nouns. Woah. Heavy stuff.

Here's the challenge.

Write a quick descriptive paragraph, doesn't have to be anything about anything, and in every sentence use one adverb. The killer part-- Do NOT use the adverb to modify the verb. That means don't use the word to describe the action. ie: He ate slowly. She was moving quietly.

Can ya?

 

[flawed_ethics]

Flawed_ethics read the page. Thoughts crossed his mind. Slowly. Carefully. He perused it once more. His mission was clear - but could it be done? He paused for a moment before sitting up in disgust. "I'm an atmospheric science major!" he exclaimed. "I can't tell and adverb from my ass!" Disgruntled, he moved on to another post.

Well, I tried and failed miserably. On a side note, thanks for straightening me out. I knew either an adjective or adverb could modify both a verb and a noun - I had just forgotten which! (Adjective, right?)

 

[KillerMuffin]

She stood beneath the wide open sky with the wildly untamed wind whipping through her hair. Shutting her eyes, she imagined herself free of all blindingly human fetters until it felt as if she had become the wind itself. She spread her arms as if to soar like the ferally free birds in the sky.

 

[abashed-dreamer]

adverbs

In the thong, her buns showed off, perfectly rounded. When she walked by, the obviously insane thought crossed his mind: Why don't I sneek up behind her and rip off the flimsily tied thong, and bury my cock into that ass. She must have read his mind, for she turned, with a look that was frankly amused, "Do you dare? Once into my freshly plowed crack there's no escape!"

 

[Mickie]

So, KM, are ya gonna check these over? I couldn't resist the challange. Here's my effort.

A brilliant sky controlled the world. Ageless clouds pouted on the horizon, doomed to extinction if time resumed. The morning paused to soak in an unusual sense of clarity. Silence echoed in mute respect. Even the cool breeze seemed to stand still, poised above the ground, waiting for something to happen.

What do I get for this? If you're giving out cookies, I want chocolate chip!

Mickie

 

[KillerMuffin]

I'd like to give you a cookie, Mickie you genius, but I don't see any adverbs.

 

[Mickie]

I meant that... That's what I get for not paying attention. I'll earn that cookie yet. However, it might be beneficial to see how much adding those nasty adverbs hurt the writing. (never a cloud without a silver lining )

A brilliantly blue sky controlled the world. Ageless clouds pouted on the fragrantly sharp horizon, doomed to extinction if time resumed. The morning paused to soak in an unusually perfect sense of clarity. Silence echoed in standardly mute respect. Even the cool breeze seemed to stand still, poised above the overly green ground, waiting for something to happen.

Ugh. I don't like it at all. But, did I earn that cookie yet, KM?

Mickie

 

[LadyTabitha]

I dare not even try this exercise, but I'm having a grand time watching others! LOL However, I'll gladly donate the "cookies" for those who earn kudos!!!

 

[Whispersecret]

While the paragraphs were admirably done, I still found myself feeling they were somewhat unnecessary and forced. I vote for sparing use of adverbs at all times.

 

[abashed-dreamer]

adv

Exactly, ws, 'sparing use of adverbs at all times." which might be rule 2.

Rule 1 being 'stingy with the adjectives at all times, esp. those dug up from thesauri.'