Adverbs? Seriously? I almost never use adverbs. Normally I like to use adjectives, nouns and verbs, but an ADverb? Eventually of course everyone has to use an actual adverb or your writing would rarely see the light of day…It’s entirely possible to pose a poem swiftly and try not to use any adverbs at all such as this:
Joe’s dog is mean
Meanest dog I ever seen
He will bite your leg or arm
His master says he ain’t no harm.
—
So in conclusion, I would politely , playfully, offer this advice. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of writing almost always has to contain words that are adverbs, describing, where, when and how.
I could keep on running. I could fool the dogs staying in the stream but that would mean going into the tunnel. How old is it? Where does it come out? Would I even be able to come out the other side? I haven’t been here before, I don’t know the area, and I want to get out of this water. It’s getting colder and I’m soaking wet.
I hear them coming, those howling, high pitched whines when they’ve found my scent. They’re closer. Should I keep going and brave the tunnel? It may have no other opening, it may be the entrance to a huge deep hole. Would I be able to breathe in there, are there snakes?
If I go into the tunnel and they follow. . .if there’s no other opening, I’ll be trapped! Their barks are louder, pretty soon they’ll see me and then I’m caught. The tunnel is so dark, covered in moss, it will be wet and cold there, too. I have no choice. At least if the water masks my scent, I have a chance. There’s no chance on the open bank.
I’m going in, my feet sink slightly. I feel the air and the water are much colder here. I can’t see anything but it will take time for my eyes to adjust. I feel a shiver up my legs traveling up my spine. Is it a shiver? Or is it something. . .oh my God, I can feel it! It’s not a shiver, it’s a vine or an arm or a snake, what the hell is it? It’s wrapping around me. It’s choking me. I barely hear the dogs outside. I’m being dragged down, down and I feel a slimy presence engulfing me. I can hardly breathe. I should have stayed out of here. I should have. . .
Outside the tunnels, the dogs were anxiously watching the entrance, howling and whining louder than ever before.
JDVance: “You know what really bothers me about Tim Walz, as a Marine who served his country in uniform? When the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it,” Vance said. “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.” (Lies)
But Army Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman, director of operations for the Minnesota National Guard, said Wednesday that Walz’s unit “received an alert order for mobilization to Iraq on July 14, 2005.” Walz had retired two months earlier, in May. (Truth)
***A quiet unassuming girl was visited by an intimidating specter. The specter told her not to be afraid, but listen to her advice. “I’m going to transport you into the future where you will accomplish many things, defeat an evil king, and become a leader. The tools you will need will be provided. All you need is determination and using your inner strength. I tried and failed and as you can see, I am no longer human.”Suddenly the specter disappeared and the girl felt a strange occupation of her being. She fainted and woke up in a different world. Looking down at herself, she had muscles, her hair was long and waving. Her dress had been replaced by leathers and boots and she had weapons on her sides. A breeze surrounded her and images of stone structures and horses appeared. By her side a man dressed in a helmet and armor sat, seeming sad and defeated.The man looked up and saw her and a smile came over his weathered face. “Theodora! You’re alive! I’m so glad to see you! We looked everywhere and it seemed you disappeared, or worse, were captured. With you leading us again, I think we might have a chance.” Other men dressed in bloody armor started coming up to them. A few bowed or took a knee, uttering “Bellona”. Plans were made and battles fought, but Theodora and her soldiers ended victorious. It seemed her presence urged them on to champion in battle.Later that evening the celebrations began.***
The dentist’s fingers opened my jaw at its widest. When he saw the whole egg, his square chin started to twitch and he smiled. Then reached for his medical suitcase, pulling out a large set of plastic pliers. “Hazing prank?” He queried.
The Bag Lady 
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