Rae's 10 Rules of Writing

Just because I felt like it.


1. Write Every Day - (even a little bit). The more you write, the better you'll get. You'll have a novel before you know it.

2. Write What Interests You - If you're bored, your reader will probably be bored, too.

3. Learn And Steal From The Greats, But Always Be Original - A bit of a contradiction, but most of writing is balancing tried and true techniques with your own unique voice.

4. Great Writers Are Avid Readers - A bit of a spin-off of number three. If you don't read, how will you ever learn how to write?

5. Worry About The Grammar Later - Don't get so obsessed with making each sentence perfect that you never write more than one paragraph. You'll have time to make every word sparkle later, during the editing process.

6. Stretch Yourself - Write something all in dialogue. Write only using questions. Switch between first person and third person... hell, use second person. Write from the point of view of a chair. Who has sat in it? Maybe Benjamin Franklin! =D

7. Make Friends - If you help other writers and form a writing community with your friends, your work will improve as a result.

8. Learn to Critique - Extension of number seven. Learn to read with a critical eye. It will improve your own writing dramatically.

9. Know Your Characters - Great writers have great characters. They will lead the way when you are feeling stuck or uninspired.

10. Have fun - If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right. But even when you're not having fun, keep writing until you start again and try to find new ways to stay engaged.