Some Good Rules For Writers--Part 2

To continue with the Rules for LIFE:

5.  Assume nothing and question everything.  My first thought here is that many writers assume what the guidelines are for a particular magazine, website or book publisher. That throws up red flags because, if you don't follow the guidelines, you aren't going to get published. Same with writing contests. If you are still left wondering after reading the guidelines, don't assume. Send an email or make a comment on a facebook group page or a Contact Us on a website to ask about the part that is not clear to you.

6. Make peace with the past or you'll pay for it.  This seems pretty self-explanatory but, for some people, it's difficult to put the past behind and move on. If you don't work on making peace with the past, the stress alone can be a threat to your mental and emotional health. and throw up blocks to your writing. What's done is done. Try to move on.

7.  Stop thinking so much and start acting. Too much thinking about writing and not doing it is that old procrastination cropping up again. If you get an idea for a writing project, do think about it for a while but don't make it a marathon thought process. The sooner you start writing, the better. I was talking with another writer earlier today about the number of people who come to writing groups just to talk about writing but produce only small amounts of writing or none at all.

8.  Never compare yourself to others. I think this is a very important point. You are a unique person. No one else on this earth is exactly like you. There may be many you admire but you don't ever need to try to measure up to this person. You write in your own special way; your writing voice is unlike that of anyone else. 

In closing:  If you and I can follow all eight of these rules for LIFE in our writing journey, we can be proud of the writer we have become.