| Introduction: A Nation of Writers |
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3 | (6) |
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9 | (48) |
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Begin sentences with subjects and verbs |
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11 | (4) |
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15 | (4) |
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19 | (4) |
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23 | (4) |
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27 | (4) |
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Take it easy on the -ings |
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31 | (5) |
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Fear not the long sentence |
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36 | (5) |
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Establish a pattern, then give it a twist |
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41 | (4) |
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Let punctuation control pace and space |
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45 | (5) |
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50 | (7) |
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Part Two. SPECIAL EFFECTS |
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57 | (60) |
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Prefer the simple over the technical |
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59 | (5) |
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Give key words their space |
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64 | (4) |
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Play with words, even in serious stories |
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68 | (4) |
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72 | (4) |
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76 | (4) |
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80 | (4) |
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Riff on the creative language of others |
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84 | (4) |
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Set the pace with sentence length |
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88 | (5) |
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Vary the lengths of paragraphs |
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93 | (5) |
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Choose the number of elements with a purpose in mind |
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98 | (5) |
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Know when to back off and when to show off |
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103 | (4) |
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Climb up and down the ladder of abstraction |
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107 | (5) |
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112 | (5) |
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117 | (76) |
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119 | (5) |
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Learn the difference between reports and stories |
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124 | (4) |
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Use dialogue as a form of action |
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128 | (5) |
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Reveal traits of character |
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133 | (4) |
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Put odd and interesting things next to each other |
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137 | (5) |
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Foreshadow dramatic events and powerful conclusions |
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142 | (4) |
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To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers |
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146 | (4) |
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Build your work around a key question |
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150 | (5) |
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Place gold coins along the path |
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155 | (4) |
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Repeat, repeat, and repeat |
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159 | (6) |
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Write from different cinematic angles |
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165 | (4) |
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Report and write for scenes |
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169 | (5) |
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174 | (5) |
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In short works, don't waste a syllable |
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179 | (5) |
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Prefer archetypes to stereotypes |
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184 | (4) |
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188 | (5) |
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193 | (52) |
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Draft a mission statement for your work |
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195 | (5) |
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Turn procrastination into rehearsal |
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200 | (5) |
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Do your homework well in advance |
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205 | (5) |
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Read for both form and content |
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210 | (4) |
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214 | (5) |
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Break long projects into parts |
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219 | (4) |
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Take an interest in all crafts that support your work |
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223 | (5) |
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Recruit your own support group |
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228 | (4) |
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Limit self-criticism in early drafts |
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232 | (4) |
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236 | (4) |
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Own the tools of your craft |
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240 | (5) |
| Afterword |
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245 | (1) |
| Acknowledgments |
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246 | (3) |
| Writing Tools Quick List |
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249 | (6) |
| Index |
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255 | |