39 Steps to a good story

From an old bookmark. Still fresh. Some of my picks:

6) Long plot explanations aren't going to get it. Like, when something neat (horrible?) happened to one of the characters a real long time ago, and you really really want to tell us about it, you know? Don't.

12) We can't care about sand mutants; if you do, or think you do, kill yourself.

21) If you write a sentence that isn't poignant, touching, funny, intriguing, inviting, etc., take it out before you finish the work. Don't just leave it there. Don't let anyone see it.

23) Also: Obscurity is not subtlety; intentional obscurity is pinheaded and unkind.


Writing Scifi? Have a look at TheScian Scifi Contest for 2008.

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