ADVICE TO A WOULD-BE TREACHEROUS WIZARD

1. Don't bother taking on an apprentice, thinking they'll make an invaluable sidekick.  They won't and they'll muck up doing the cleaning.
   
2. Cover your tracks.  You'd be amazed at the treacherous wizards who don't do that and then wonder why they've been caught out.
   
3. Watch who you upset.  They will be the ones to stab you in the back.  Just ask Julius Caesar.
   
4. Don't leave curses and/or enchantment ingredients lying around.  Those with enough knowledge will work out what you're up to.  Surprise is everything.
   
5. Don't alienate those you are trying to remove, otherwise you'll put them on their guard.  Remember what I said about surprise.
   
6. Listen to good advice and act on it.  You could do worse than follow the tips in this list.
   
7. Rival removal is best done one at a time.  To remove them en-masse attracts the kind of attention that is probably going to end in your death.
   
8. If a girl from Kansas, a small dog, a tin man, a cowardly lion etc turn up, you are definitely in the wrong story.  Get out of it as soon as you can.
   
9. It is not compulsory to have a long white beard.  However it can add gravitas so you may wish to consider having one.
   
10. Don't blast away everyone who annoys you or you'll run out of power before you know it.  It is the lot of the wizard to have to put up with those fascinated by magic but incapable of using it properly and who are bound to seek advice on improving their skills from the likes of you.  Fob them off but be nice about it.  Do you really want to show what you are capable of at this stage before your plans are properly worked out?  I rather thought not.