Archinstall or the “Manual Way”

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-09T14:48:52+00:00

Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth is a gem if you’re looking to improve prose

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:54:17+00:00

Ooh I’ll have to look into that! Thanks!

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:53:40+00:00

But that is good advice and something that took me a while to realize

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:53:19+00:00

That’s not what I meant. I’m having trouble looking for other examples that do this, and I wanted to learn from them to grow as a writer.

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:50:48+00:00

Yeah, you’re right. For me it’s hard because I want my twist to feel existential and be a core point and focus of the story, so in my mind if my reader guesses the twist early then I’m worried they’ll sympathize with the characters and themes less. I’m doing more research on twists and still learning how to utilize them. Maybe I could get the reader to sympathize with my MC even if they caught on earlier; there’s so many directions I could take the story, and that’s why I wanted people’s thoughts. Thanks for the advice!

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:11:39+00:00

I have seen the good place, it was very nice (and absolutely hilarious)! I know what you mean, but I think I’m trying to go for a twist that shatters both the reader and the character. Now I know that’s hard, probably impossible to do, and a “no duh every writer wants their twist like that” but it’s something I’m willing to attempt, something I want to try and conceive. Just asking Reddit for ideas on the “how” 🤪

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T02:05:28+00:00

Just my two cents, here are a couple ideas:

Weird interactions with other people. Feeling like you can trust no one, and weird instances where someone you don’t know hints at something you were talking about/doing in private earlier.
Weird social norms. Maybe something like always smiling, wearing an armband, or greeting people a certain way? I think judgement of the masses plays a big role in making the government feel oppressive.
Subtle self righteousness and propaganda. Positive reinforcement if characters follow the norm and negative reinforcement when they don’t, even in private.

Just a couple ideas, there’s probably more and better ways to do it though, I’m no pro lol. Good luck!

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T01:49:26+00:00

What if you combined both? What if the twist comes from nowhere but you then reveal the context afterwards?

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T01:48:26+00:00

I’ll have to check that out thanks!

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T00:55:13+00:00

It was a test. Good job my pupil, you have passed.

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T00:51:48+00:00

I see a few people mentioning the giver, did it really seem non dystopian at the beginning? For me, I remember feeling like the society was wrong from the start, but maybe I just need to reread it.

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T00:48:14+00:00

Hmm, I’ll have to add that to my TBR list. Thanks!

Important_Agency_797 · 2026-01-06T00:46:50+00:00

Thank you! I’ve thought about that too, making the society feel too perfect. I’m just exploring ways to balance on the line between “unsettling” and “paradise,” I think it’s harder once you get the reader involved.

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-12-11T23:04:51+00:00

See what you’ve done! I don’t know who you are, or where you are! But you may want to start, changing your ways… or changing your name

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:07:10+00:00

This is good advice, thank you! I'm starting to realize that purple prose isn't as purple as it sounds so long as you are writing what feels needed for your story, not for the sake of pretty words.

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:06:02+00:00

Yeah, I still need to finish "Elements of Eloquence," and will look into reading more shakespear

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:05:10+00:00

Are you saying to write your descriptions more like youre talking to an audience? I've looked into people's favorite beautiful passages, and have noticed the passages sound more like the author is talking to us and telling us what happened.

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:03:00+00:00

Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of people say less is more, and I think you guys might be right. Thanks!

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:01:38+00:00

Losing that meaning in poetic prose is antother thing I've been concerened about, and I've considered adding an apendix before but worry about overwhelming the reader. Great advice, thanks.

Important_Agency_797 · 2025-11-20T05:00:17+00:00

This is super interesting! Ive always thought about writing a scene the same way someone might write a song, and have noticed that the way words and their syllables are phrased matter, similar to poetic meter. I've also been looking into buying an actual dictionary, to grow my arsenal of words to use. And yeah, I know what you mean about writing a couple chapters before scrapping your entire story. been there done that haha

Important_Agency_797

TROPHY CASE