Article: Many novice fantasy authors rely too heavily on the fantastical elements of the story and neglect to develop the actual story itself first. Before you can write a compelling piece of fantasy fiction, though, you'll need all the elements of a strong and compelling plot. For this reason, it may be helpful to create at least a skeletal outline to help you track what happens and to whom in your story. Every plot should have some element that sets the story in motion. This may be an external conflict or an internal one, but something needs to happen in order for the action to progress. Rising action (in which the story develop and tension builds), the climax of that action, and the subsequent falling action are all crucial elements of a strong plot. The denouement (or "unraveling"), in which all of the tension is completely resolved, is essential to move the story towards its logical ending. A good conflict is critical if you hope to write a strong plot for any type of fiction. Conflict motivates the characters, catalyzes the story, and creates tension that the reader will engage with. A common strategy is to depict the antagonist's motivations in direct conflict with the protagonist's. This creates a tremendous amount of tension and allows the reader to further identify with the protagonist. Conflict can be between a person and himself/herself, between two people, or between a person and an abstract concept (society, God/gods/goddesses, etc.). Characters are arguably more important than the plot. Even if a reader doesn't find the plot particularly interesting, he or she may continue to read a story because of its compelling and/or relatable characters. Characters should have a clear, well-defined motivation. This can be a need/desire, a goal, or simply a personality trait, but it should be clear what makes each character tick. Try to make your characters contradictory or otherwise complicated, as this can make them more realistic. Remember that no one in real life is always good or always evil, so fictional characters shouldn't be, either. Make your characters vulnerable somehow. Whether it's a physical vulnerability or an emotional one, some type of human suffering/vulnerability makes characters more relatable. Map out more characteristics and motivations for each main character than you'll actually explicitly include in your story. Just knowing what makes your characters happy/sad/frightened/etc. can influence how you write that character in subtle ways. Infusing your plot with vivid details and complex developments will help bring your story to life for readers. Try to incorporate as many sensory details as you can so that readers get a real sense of what your characters experience and what your fictional world is like. You'll obviously want to include the sights and sounds of your world, but don't neglect the smells, tastes, and tactile feelings of that world. Don't drag your story on for chapter after chapter once the tension is resolved, but don't rush to be finished either. Figure out where the story should logically end by considering what readers may want to know about your characters in the chapter or two that follow the resolution of tension. Make sure your characters resolve their conflicts. Don't try to have acts of nature, a new character, or some divine element fix all the conflicts, or readers will be turned off very quickly. If your story is part of a larger saga, you'll have to balance the logical ending for this story and the hint of what's to come in the next story. If your story is a free-standing piece of fiction, think about what questions might linger after the tension wraps up. Consider what happens to the principal characters, as well as what might happen to the world you've created after the central conflict is resolved.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Outline your plot. Develop the conflict. Create interesting and memorable characters. Expand and develop the plot. End the story at a logical point.
Article: A biological filter uses bacteria to remove organic waste that can accumulate in your pond. You could get an in-pond filter or an external filter. In-pond filters have a pump attached to a fountain that runs into the pond. While they are easy to setup and install, they are difficult to clean because you must remove the entire contraption from the pond. External filters are very easy to clean, but it can be difficult to get the right size and pump, since they are usually designed for pools, not ponds. While these bacteria occur naturally in ponds, they are not present in the quantities necessary to adequately filter all the toxins that occur in most ponds. Get a filter capable of filtering about twice the amount of water that our pond contains. For instance, if a filter says it can adequately filter 3,000 liters, you should use it only if your pond is around 1,500 liters or less. If you get a filter that matches your pond's volume exactly, it will struggle to keep the pond clean. Your filter should filter your entire pond in about two hours. Check the speed of the pump and compare it to your pond's volume to choose the right one. As barley straw decomposes, it releases a chemical that prevents algae from growing. One bale of barley straw treats 1,000 gallons of water. In other words, if your pond holds 100 gallons, you'd need only one-tenth of a bale. The best way to add the straw is to wrap a softball-sized portion of straw in mesh netting and toss the balled-up straw in the pond. Alternatively, you could add liquid barley straw. One tablespoon usually treats about 50 gallons. If you don't notice a change after about a week, add more gradually. Barley straw is readily available at most garden centers. Barley straw is safe for use in ponds with fish. You could add both floating plants and submerged plants to your pond. Both will keep algae at bay and keep your pond clean in a natural way. Add floating plants. Lilies and lotus reduce the total surface area of the pond that algae can thrive on, and absorb nutrients that algae would otherwise use to grow. Submerged plants like hornwort, parrot's feather, and anacharis add oxygen to the water, preventing algae. They can be kept below the water's surface by attaching them to a rock or putting them in a plant pot and adding weight until it sinks.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use a biological filter. Add barley straw to your pond. Add plants to the pond.
Article: An easy way to make yourself appear paler is to wear black clothing or other dark colors. Dark clothing creates contrast so that your skin looks lighter by comparison. It's an easy way to instantly look paler and more dramatic. This does not mean that you have to dress up like a goth. You can create a casual appearance by pairing a black shirt with blue jeans. You don't have to wear all black. Put the focus on your shirt, as this is where you will have the most skin exposed (neck, arms, face, etc.). If you are willing to dramatically change your appearance, dying your hair a dark brown or black, or even a deep maroon or purple, will make your skin look paler. Because your hair frames your face, a dark hair color provides the perfect backdrop to make your face look paler by comparison. If you don't want to dye your hair, consider getting a wig instead. This is great for a temporary look. Keep in mind that hair dye is permanent. Even if you use temporary dye, there is a chance that it might stain your hair, especially if it is blonde. It's well known that wearing black or brown eyeliner helps to emphasize eye and skin contrast, but if you don't want to wear makeup, wearing colored contacts can also be a good solution. If you have blue eyes, consider wearing brown contact lenses to heighten contrast and make your skin appear paler. If you already have to wear contacts, consider getting prescription contacts instead. Be sure to practice proper hygiene when wearing contacts. Never leave them in overnight.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wear dark clothing. Dye your hair a dark color. Wear dark contacts.