Cut Those Adverbs!

A sure fire method for punching up your prose is to eliminate adverbs.

You do know an adverb when it insinuates itself into your sentence, don't you?  Let's have an example or two:

Which is better:

• The sun burned hot on Lothor's chest.
• The sun burned very hot on Lothor's chest.

I'm curious about Lothor and where he left his shirt, but a very hot sun is not hotter nor more evocative. 

Look at these two:

• Evelyn's flippancy made her mother anxious.
• Evelyn's flippancy made her mother extremely anxious.

The risk is that if a writer permits an adverb to speak, she will let it suffice.  Better to show mom's anxiety than tell us its degree.  What does an anxious mother do?

Which creates a clearer image?

• Timmy tiptoed nervously through the hallway.
• Timmy tiptoed through the hallway, holding his breath, eyes wide.

You get the idea.  Proceed without fear.  Cut those adverbs!  And Write Dream Writers!  Write!

Do you have examples of narratives you've beefed up this way?  Share them!