Lists of rules for writers abound, ranging from profound wisdom to statements of the obvious. I’ve gathered together some of my favourites here, plus a few inspiring quotes. When I start to doubt myself or just need a confidence boost, I turn to advice like this to get me moving again. I hope it helps you do the same…
1. Writers writeMany people say they want to write a book but somehow never seem to get round to it. Don’t be one of those people. Write. 2. RewriteWriting is rewriting. If a sentence makes you cringe or squirm with embarrassment – fix it. Don’t let it go thinking it doesn’t matter. It does. 3. Kill your darlingsNo matter how hard you work at your writing, it probably isn’t as good as you think it is. 4. Finish what you startNo matter what you have to do, get to the end. Don’t keep going over and over the same little bit trying to make it perfect or you’ll never finish. 5. Never show your first draft to anyoneFirst drafts are always shit. Always! Remember number 2 – Rewrite! 6. ReadRead like crazy. Read anything and everything, and not just books you like. Bad books can inspire you to write because they motivate you to do better – but be careful not to let them influence your writing directly. Bad writing is infectious. 7. Write wellWriting a bad book is just as hard as writing a good one. So you may as well write a good book. 8. Experience lifeGo outside, do stuff, make a mess, love, cry, rant and fight. It’s all grist for the mill and gives you something to write about.
9. Get professional feedbackAnd listen to it. Make sure you take on board constructive criticism, but only if you believe it will improve your book. 10. Be your own best criticBe discerning about who you listen to. Don’t believe what your family or friends say about your writing; they’re rarely objective, even if they think they are. Especially if they think they are.
11. EditCut inessential words. Cut until there’s nothing left to cut without losing meaning. 12. Be professionalStudy your craft, and practise. Remember number 1 – Writers write! 13. Call yourself a writerThis applies even if you’re not yet published. Calling yourself a writer encourages you to take yourself seriously, and eventually others will agree. 14. Be specificAnd accurate with the facts. Do your research, but not too much. Resist the temptation to put all your research on the page. 15. Trust the readerNever talk down to your readers or patronise them. Always assume they’re smarter than you. 16. Beware clichésDon’t be lazy. Find a better, more original way of saying what you want to say. 17. Treat writing as a jobWrite every day – even if it’s just a page. Make time for it. There’s no excuse for not doing it.
18. Only bad writers think their work is goodToo much imagination can be a bad thing. Beware self-deception. 19. Accept the anxietyWriting never gets easier. The anxiety is never going to go away. If you start to believe you know what you’re doing – you don’t. Remember number 18! 20. Have funIf you enjoy what you write, so will your readers. 21. Don’t wait for inspirationPut the words down on the page regardless of how you feel. Be disciplined. Remember number 1 – Writers write! 22. CareCare about what you write. Write about what needs to be said and only write when you have something to say. Have a story worth telling. 23. Forget the marketDon’t worry if your book will sell. Remember: nobody knows anything. Write the book you want to read.
24. Be persistentNever give up. Writing well takes a long time. Getting published takes even longer. 25. Be luckyEnough said. 26. Always carry a notebookAnd a pen. You’ll think you can remember the brilliant idea you’ve just had, but you won’t.
27. Forget about self-expressionOr working through your demons or writing as therapy. Writing is made to be read – by someone else. Tell them a story and get yourself out of the way. 28. Read your work aloudIf it doesn’t flow, fix it. When reading your work, it helps to imagine someone else wrote it. 29. Back everything upOn an external hard drive or memory stick. And print out a hard copy. Don’t rely on the cloud (or your memory). 30. Go for a walkIf you get stuck and don’t know what comes next, get up and walk around, do something else – but DON’T switch on the TV. 31. Stay offlineDon’t have Twitter or Facebook running in the background when you’re writing. Are you reading this instead of writing? Stop it! 32. Be honestTell the truth about life as best you can and as well as you can. 33. Enjoy solitudeIf you can’t handle being alone for long periods, you’re not a writer. Or perhaps you could get a dog/cat/goldfish/imaginary friend.
34. Send your work outDon’t sit on it and leave it languishing in a drawer because you’re scared of rejection. Don’t be a literary coward. Strive to be fearless. 35. Believe in yourselfDon’t take any shit from anyone and don’t let the bastards get you down. 36. Get organisedOrganise your life around your writing, if you can. If not, write whenever you can. Make time. 37. Don’t quit the day jobLower your expectations. Most writers don’t earn a living from writing. Harsh, but true.
38. Feed your imaginationTrust the process and your creativity. Make space for inspiration in your life and it will feed into your writing. 39. Push beyond your limitationsStay away from your comfort zone. Being comfortable leads to mediocrity. 40. Be who you areIf anyone can stop you being a writer, you’re not a writer.
What are your favourite rules for writers? Share your inspiration below… More: Resources & Links for Writers |
Thank you, this was just what I needed to read this morning to get me back on track 🙂
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Great – crack on! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Great advice and inspiration Jessica. Writing makes us vunerable and that often takes us out of our comfort zone and into our fears and worrying what others think.
When we write from our hearts and truth we can feel confident that our words will inspire and be heard and stepping out into unknown is part of that journey.
Karen
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Yes, it’s scary to step outside your comfort zone because it’s a leap into the unknown. If I worry too much what others will think about my writing, I struggle to make sense. But if I focus on telling the truth, the writing flows more easily. It still might not make sense (!) but that’s ok. Sometimes I need to just write to find out what I think.
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Yes I agree! ha sometimes my work def does not make sense! But we go forward and every now and then someone encourages us and we go “oh I do have something to say” you are very gifted Jessica, never give up! Xx
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Thanks, Karen. Really needed to hear that today! I’m slogging through a rewrite of my next novel and wondering why I ever started writing it – bit of a nightmare 😉 But I will persevere and get there in the end. Thank you for the encouragement xoxo
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Yes def keep going!
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