chapter 6: when to cut text to create a new paragraph

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It definitely happens to the best of us.
There you are, struck by a writing frenzy, creating some incredible material and after you're done, you take a step back only to realize what a hideous piece of monstrosity you've just created

Your paragraphs (if we can even call them that lol) look unappealing and unprofessional.

The huge block of text is littered with so many shifts in dialogue and character focus, too many conflicting ideas and actions happening all at once.

If this is something you've noticed frequently occurring in your work and you're having a hard time knowing when or rather where to break up your text into different paragraphs, here are some tips:

Change your paragraphs when:

1. A new character comes along

2. A new event happens

3. A new idea is introduced

4. The setting changes

5. A new person is speaking

6. Time moves forward or backward a lot. This happens commonly with time skips like flashbacks and flashforwards.

7. Generally use the rule of four where a standard paragraph maintains only FOUR sentences.

8. When the 'camera' /point of focus changes. Like from a scenery to a person, to a concept etc.

9. After a long dialogue exchange/ or when using text talk.

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