More Writing Tips (Part 5 of 5)

When writing a series, go from the lesser to the greater. We do this to build the significance of the statements.

* For the next hour, Merlin paced the room, screamed with impatience, and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. The order is ridiculous, so we start with the lesser action which is probably shifting his weight, and we end with a scream.

* He disliked peppers, loathed celery, and tolerated peas. If you think of the emotional level, tolerated seems the most benign, followed by disliked.

When I write a series of actions 

I begin with the lesser and move to the greater.