Ten Commandments of Writing
1. Write all the time...even when you are not writing
2. Write for the passion, not for the profit
3. Respect the writers who came before you, even those you do not like
4. Revere the act of reading
5. Give credit to the reader [also known as, "Show, don't tell!"]
6. Edit ruthlessly; learn to kill your darlings
7. Travel along your own path, mobilizing your own ideas
8. Discover your unique storytelling voice
9. Tell stories that are honest and ever-full of truth
10. Aim to say something no one has ever said before
I imagine there are plenty of "Ten Commandments of Writing" lists floating around the Internet, and perhaps you have read every one of them already. As for myself, I decided to compose this list without any external influence.
These are my Ten Commandments of Writing. Perhaps they are similar to everything else out there. Perhaps they are different.
I wrote a post a couple weeks ago about the value of having a Mission Statement for your writing. I feel it is equally important to understand and follow certain rules of being a Writer.
These are my Ten Commandments. What are (some of, or all of) yours?
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I think these are great "rules"!! I like 'em! Well, except for killing the darlings. I have a hard time with that. LOL
ReplyDeleteCan we make an addendum to Commandment #3? I really hate Terry Goodkind. I mean really hate.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably my favorite post you've done. Good stuff.
Great list! I'm especially fond of 7-10, as they remind us of the importance of individuality. Sometimes I have to remind myself there is no magic formula to follow. And I'm thankful for that, as higher math skills were never a passion of mine.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I suppose the most important Commandment would be to persevere. It's a tough field, filled with rejection, heartache, and doubt. I can understand how that may push some over the edge, but then again, if we all gave up, bookstores would not exist.
Carol - Someone on Twitter added, "Also, learn to recognize your darlings before you kill them, so innocent bystanders aren't caught in crossfire." I thought that was good.
ReplyDeleteMark - See Sparks, Nicholas. I think you can despise a writer and still manage to respect them for getting people to read...even though it is sometimes difficult to do.
Paul - I guess that falls most closely under #2, huh? After all, in the little I know of you, I feel that you could decide to quit writing...and that your passion would still keep you coming back. With people for whom that is the case, the breakthrough will come eventually...because your passion will never allow you to quit.
These are wonderful! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks - lovely commandments and comments. The 'unique storytelling voice' gave me bad flashbacks to high school poetry *cringe* but I definitely get what you're saying :-)
ReplyDeleteBrenda - You're quite welcome.
ReplyDeleteMarty - I guess we should place some reins on that particular commandment, huh? I think we've all gotten a bit TOO unique at times!