The prevailing tone

At an early stage it is wise to determine, at least in a general way, upon the single impression that is to be left upon the reader, and upon the prevailing tone of the story: whether it be of gloom, expectancy, joy; of wildness or calm; of genial warmth and friendliness; of bleakness and misfortune; perhaps of miserliness. In choosing a single impression or tone, it will be necessary to take into account its acceptability to the reader and its adaptability to the theme. In the matter of acceptability, one must depend on one’s good sense and general observation. Nowadays, however, joy is generally preferred to horror, and warmth of tone to coldness. By the control of adaptability is meant that the writer must always be guided by his story. He cannot work free-hangrid, for the single impression is always determined by and determines the climax.