Adverbs are part of your Writer's Toolbox. They exist for a reason. As sp said, if it works, use them.
Exactly. (See? An adverb!)
You shouldn't never use adverbs. You should only use them when they'll make the most impact or serve the narrative best.
The reason why so many people say you shouldn't use them is because many writers rely on adverbs to describe action rather than choosing more appropriate verbs. If you can find a verb that flows well with the story and also describes the action accurately, use it. If you can't, use an adverb.
Too many adverbs shows that you're not caring much about how you communicate with the reader. It's sloppy and lazy to rely on them all the time. And, as others have pointed out, overuse of adverbs is a major component of the "telling" curse (as opposed to showing, which is preferable.)
Telling is when you create a boring wall of separation between the reader and the action in your book. Think of a kid telling you about their day: "This happened, and then this happened, and then this happened." Too many adverbs can make the reader feel like they're listening to a child rattle off a story.
Showing draws the reader in more, as if they're watching the action on a movie screen or, better yet, are actually experiencing it themselves. Think of a skilled storyteller reciting a tale in front of an audience. They use their hands and their face to convey expression. They vary the pitch of their voice. They move around. They keep the audience on the edge of their seat, because the combination of their words
and how they use their words is so engrossing.
"Look at that bear," Sam said quietly. He sounded scared.
"Look at that bear," Sam whispered, a sharp edge of fear in his voice.
Big difference between these two sentences. You can see for yourself which is telling and which is showing, right? The lack of adverb has a lot to do with how you feel when reading the sentences.
Many times, you can replace an adverb with action that will show the emotion or action you want to convey better than an adverb would show it.
"I wish I could see my mother again," Vera said wistfully.
"I wish I could see my mother again," Vera said. She turned the brittle pages of the photo album with care. Now and then she paused, tracing a knobby old finger over the sepia faces, smiling to herself as if she could feel the smooth, cool skin of her mother's cheek.
The first one tells of wistfulness. The second one shows wistfulness, and is more interesting to read.
But it isn't taboo to use an adverb just because it's an adverb. Adverbs have their place. Use them when you need to. When you don't need to, don't.
