One of those days I really should do a thread of "writing advice I disagree with"
It would start with "1. Conflict isn't the core of storytelling."
(I know everyone's mileage varies but I actually hate the approach of reducing storytelling to tug of war)

Oh what the heck I'm tired
2. Quiet scenes aren't always pacing killers. They're a great space to know characters and for the reader to unpack what happened in the frantic scenes, whether said scenes are highly charged flirting or high-octane action.

3. Explanation and backstory don't actually slow the story down if the reader desperately needs said explanation (could be because they're curious, could be because the explanation is vital to the plot, etc.).

4. I disagree with character agency, bc the end point of forcing agency on everyone is a universe where there are Important ppl who get to solve their own problems and Minor Characters who are only there for the Important ppl, as opposed to teams of equals working together

5. Characters don't have to be likeable, they just have to be interesting.
(and likeable characters are disproportionately people behaving in an acceptable manner in the readers' minds, so anyone who isn't, like women holding power, is likely to be deemed unlikeable)

Going to bed bc tired, but if you liked this thread hiiiii i write books with tea, postcolonial politics, families, and queer POCs
Gender-swapped Sherlock Holmes in space: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tea-Master-Detective-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B07C8LW271/
F/f dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast with dragon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanishers-Palace-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B07H43M4KT/