Here Are Some Very Important Writing Tips From Neil Gaiman

    He stopped by and gave us some writerly advice.

    Kaye Toal
    by Kaye Toal

    BuzzFeed Staff

    You're writing. Good for you!

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    LOOK AT YOU GO.

    But sometimes, as you're writing, you hit a wall.

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    Or the ground after you attempt to catapult yourself off of the wall.

    Or you have a great idea, but no clue how to start.

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    On the bright side, your room usually gets really clean at this stage.

    But worry not! Neil Gaiman came in and we asked him for writerly advice.

    So: your protagonist and antagonist need to meet. How should it happen?

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    "It's really fun to have characters who want things that are completely opposed, and for you as a reader to want them both to happen in some way."

    You can also have your protagonist fall for it — literally.

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    Try the classic: two nemeses walk into a bar...

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    Or make them star-crossed. Really, really star-crossed.

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    But what happens if my protagonist is straight-up about to die and they can't yet, because I need them?

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    Wait, what?!

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    Okay, that's fair. But Neil, what if I REALLY don't want to murder my protagonist?

    Kaye Toal / BuzzFeed
    Kaye Toal / BuzzFeed
    Kaye Toal / BuzzFeed

    Excellent. Now, go forth and kill your heroes.

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    The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition is in stores now.

    Here's where to find your closest independent bookstore.