Are There Rules for Writers?
This list of top Rules for Writers was copied from Erica Jong’s official Web site. I’m on a little bit of an Erica Jong roll, as she was our Woman Who Rocks on September 2.
Erica, I hope you don’t mind that I’m sharing your writing rules. These rules are just too much fun and such good advice that I really wanted to share them. By the way, you don’t have to be writing a novel for this to apply; it can go for any kind of writing.
Erica’s 20 Rules for Writers
1. Have faith, not cynicism
2. Dare to dream
3. Take your mind off publication
4. Write for joy
5. Get the reader to turn the page
6. Forget politics (let your real politics shine through)
7. Forget intellect
8. Forget ego
9. Be a beginner
10. Accept change
11. Don’t think your mind needs altering
12. Don’t expect approval for telling the truth—
(Parents, politicians, colleagues, friends, etc.)
13. Use everything
14. Remember that writing is heroism
15. Let sex (the body, the physical world) in!
16. Forget critics
17. Tell your truth, not the world’s
18. Remember to be earthbound
19. Remember to be wild!
20. Write for the child (in yourself and others)
There are no rules
Erica Jong
Thanks, Erica, for daring me to dream. I’m going to print these out and tape them to my wall as I continue to write my Web novel, No Songs for Men. I promise to be wild and to write for joy, and the part about being a beginner will not be an issue!
Because there are no rules for writers, do you have any good tips or suggestions for writing? If so, please share in a comment below.
Image: abcdz2000
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Tags: be wild, beginner, dare to dream, Erica Jong, faith, No Rules, readers, rules for writers, rules for writers online, there are no rules for writers, tips for writers, Women Who Rock!, writing
