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7. Some people find that it helps to have a writing buddy or online writing circle. As with most training regimes, if you start off alongside someone else, you're less likely to give up. #TenThingsAboutStartingOut
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9. Your writing may not be all that good at first. This is absolutely normal, and nothing to be afraid of. Creative writing is a skill that comes with time and practice. Keep at it: you will improve. #TenThingsAboutStartingOut
10. Read across as many genres as you can. Reading is the best way to develop your awareness of how storytelling works, and when it doesn't. Be curious. Be analytical. Everything you read will feed your writing. #TenThingsAboutStartingOut
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More from For later read

There is some valuable analysis in this report, but on the defense front this report is deeply flawed. There are other sections of value in report but, candidly, I don't think it helps us think through critical question of Taiwan defense issues in clear & well-grounded way. 1/


Normally as it might seem churlish to be so critical, but @cfr is so high-profile & the co-authors so distinguished I think it’s key to be clear. If not, people - including in Beijing - could get the wrong idea & this report could do real harm if influential on defense issues. 2/

BLUF: The defense discussion in this report does not engage at the depth needed to add to this critical debate. Accordingly conclusions in report are ill-founded - & in key parts harmful/misleading, esp that US shldnt be prepared defend Taiwan directly (alongside own efforts). 3/

The root of the problem is that report doesn't engage w the real debate on TWN defense issues or, frankly, the facts as knowable in public. Perhaps the most direct proof of this: The citations. There is nothing in the citations to @DeptofDefense China Military Power Report...4/

Nor to vast majority of leading informed sources on this like Ochmanek, the @RANDCorporation Scorecard, @CNAS, etc. This is esp salient b/c co-authors by their own admission have v little insight into contemporary military issues. & both last served in govt in Bush 43. 5/

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