Friday, November 23, 2012

Top Ten Writing Rules from Famous Writers


Reverse light image Silverwood Park- photo N. Carlson


Top Ten Writing Rules: Lyra Communications -  Kim McLaughlin


1.   Writing doesn't love you.  It doesn't care. Nevertheless it can behave with remarkable generosity.  Speak well of it, encourage others, pass it on. - Al Kennedy
2.   Look at every word in a sentence and decide if they are really needed.  If not, kill them, be ruthless. - Bob Cooper
3.   Good copy equals draft minus 10% - Stephen King
4.   Honor the miraculousness of the ordinary. - Andrew Morton
5.   Recycle and read the good stuff before you write. -Pierre Berton
6.   Know your audience. - Pierre Berton
7.   Never use the passive voice when you can use the active voice. - George Orwell
8.   Never use a long word when a short one will do.  - George Orwell
9.   Read  a lot. - Stephen King
10. Write a draft. Then let it rest. - Stephen King

My additional rules:

Write everyday if possible.
Write what you love. - Skip Press
Success always starts with failure - Tim Hartford from his book Adapt.
Spend time in nature and looking at art to stimulate creativity.
Look at the world through a different lens using an IR camera or negative image camera.

What are your rules?

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