Too much repetition will bore readers. Use dynamic sentence structure to keep them engaged.

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This is a great technique for when you want your words to make an impact: have the key idea come last.

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a. Apprentice does something and screws up – mentor gives reasons not to do the thing the way the apprentice did it
b. Apprentice follows mentor’s advice and starts winning
c. Apprentice hits a roadblock where following mentor’s advice leads to failure
d. Apprentice does exactly what the mentor ADVISES AGAINST and succeeds
e. Apprentice is now competent in their own right, and has moved beyond their mentor.

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Why go big, when bigger might be better? This is an ode to going further, deeper, and – ultimately – crafting better stories.

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I recently went to SupaNova – Perth’s version of ComiCon. It was 100% worthwhile as an aspiring writer. This video explains why.

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Don’t have anatomically inaccurate descriptions! (i.e. his jaw dropped to the floor). This was a mistake I used to make all the time – but not anymore.

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As I go through second draft edits on my fantasy novel, Masks of Steel, I’m using this easy trick to become more objective.

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Use this tactic to create conflict and well-structured scenes.

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1. Certainty: assurance you can avoid pain and gain pleasure (Voldemort, Harry Potter)
2. Uncertainty/Variety: the need for the unknown, change, new stimuli (Holden Caufield, The Catcher in the Rye)
3. Significance: feeling unique, important, special or needed (Ozymandias, Watchmen)
4. Connection/Love: a strong feeling of closeness or union with someone or something (Henry DeTamble, The Time Traveller’s Wife)
5. Growth: an expansion of capacity, capability or understanding (Charley, Flowers for Algernon)
6. Contribution: a sense of service and focus on helping, giving to and supporting others (Dalinar, The Way of Kings)

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“I won’t do it,” she said
vs.
“I won’t do it,” she lied.
Fundamentally different – and you can use that to your advantage.

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