: Do items on a list have to follow the order/logic of the previous one? This is a bit hard to explain, so here's an example: His room was an exact replica of mine. The only difference

This is a bit hard to explain, so here's an example:

His room was an exact replica of mine. The only difference were the
things he had brought along: his zoology books, his backpack, and of
course his climbing equipment. Little objects that told me something
about him, but that at the same time, pushed him further away, into a mist
of knowledge and practicality.

As you can see, the second list follows the 'sequence' of the first one:

Knowledge = zoology books

Practicality = his backpack, climbing equipment

Do writers follow this rule? Or it doesn't matter?

The reason I ask is because I want to write a mist of practicality and knowledge instead (it sounds better to me for some weird reason).

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@Kaufman555

First, they don't have to, a one-to-one correspondence is not mandatory.

That said, they are two different narrative styles, the former simpler and faster to scan, the latter much superior literally, reflecting a creative twist added in. Occasional use of the latter can be enriching. (Also tests the reviewer's acuity.)

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: Do items on a list have to follow the order/logic of the previous one? This is a bit hard to explain, so here's an example: His room was an exact replica of mine. The only difference

More posts by @Goswami879

: Writing "X, Y, and Z" vs "X and Y and Z." Example: The forest was so dense I was practically swimming through it. A dark, murky ocean of shrubs, trees, and bamboo shoots. The

: How do you know when there's something missing in your story? You always hear about what has to be removed. Usually unnecessary stuff that doens't contribute to the plot. How about the opposite?

: Is repeating the action/verb in a metaphor a sign that is a bad one? Example: She didnâ€™t reply; just stared at us vacantly. She might as well have been observing two squirrels that

: Is it necessary to add a.m./p.m. after the time? Examples: To make sure we had plenty of time to ask questions, we took the first bus to Mrs. Mann's house. By the time we arrived

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