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Steven Johnson: How to Write with AI | How I Write Podcast

How I Write

NOTE

The Importance of Surprise in Creating Engaging Narratives

Surprise is pivotal in creating engaging and intriguing narratives as it captures attention and keeps readers interested. The element of surprise prompts the brain to pay attention by deviating from predictable patterns, leading to engagement and intrigue. To strike the right balance, narratives should offer surprises that are intriguing yet not bewildering. Connecting different fields or storylines in unexpected ways can also introduce surprising elements, as seen in the weaving together of various disciplines in the book 'The Infernal Machine'.

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