Rules For Writers

 I ran across today's poster this morning, and it made me stop and think about my writing life. And yours! Rules for Life can be applied to anyone, but today, let's consider them for writers. One by one.

See Failure As A Beginning, Not An End:  What about all those rejections you've received over the years? Have you considered leaving the writing world because of them? Ever beat yourself up by telling yourself you're not a very good writer? Easy enough to do. Instead, put all that behind you and move on. Make this day the beginning of your writing career. 

If You Don't Go After It, You Won't Have It:  I definitely agree with this. You can't merely sit at your desk and vegetate. You need to be proactive. Don't sit and wait for good things to happen in your writing life. Get out there and help those good things to happen. Go to a workshop. Attend a conference. Read and read some more about writing. And, spend some time writing every day. As little or as much as you can find.

Always Do More Than Is Expected Of You:  Remember teachers giving extra credit work? If you did that extra assignment, you got more points, upped your grade. The same goes for your writing. Don't do just enough to get by. Put in some extra effort. If you're taking a writing class, do the assignment but put a little more into than only trying to finish. It pays off in the long run.

Teach Others What You Know: If the opportunity comes up for you to teach a workshop or serve on a panel at a writing conference, don't shy away from it. Share what you've learned with others. If you're not asked, volunteer your services. Let someone in charge know you're willing to help. I've gained as much as I've given in leading workshops.

Assume Nothing And Question Everything:  Isn't this how we learn? If you're stuck on a writing project, there's no shame in asking another writer for some help. They can be more objective than you. 

Make Peace With The Past Or You'll Pay For It:  We've all had difficult times in our writing lives. Don't let it become that nasty little voice whispering in your ear about your failures. Move on, or dwelling on past problems will drag you down.

Stop Thinking So Much And Start Acting: What good advice this is! How often do you get a story idea and mull it over in your mind. And over, and over, and... Stop thinking about it and start on that first draft. 

Never Compare Yourself To Others:  This may be the last in the list but certainly not the least. I am me. Kristin Hannah is herself. John Grisham is himself. YOU must be yourself, not like any other writer. 

I like lists, and this is a great one for writers.