These are not my rules! But I do love them – if you want to read more, Robert Masello has 101 of them in his book “Robert’s Rules of Writing – 101 unconventional lessons every writer needs to know.”
1. Take the prozac. – If you don’t know by now, writing can be a depressing occupation. Rejection isn’t positive – depression is inevitable.
2. Lose the muse - If you haven’t figured out yet the muse is fickle and is prone to take vacations when you need her most – listen up – you don’t need the muse. Sit at the damn computer and write already.
3. Make ‘em worry - You want the reader to keep turning the pages right? Make them worry about your characters. You already knew that right?
4. Get rejected - first this means you sent something out – so yay! Second this is merely a right of passage. Get used to it, accept it and make your peace with it.
5. Know no shame - The best part about being a writer (Robert claims) is that you have the right to be nosy and you don’t have to hide it anymore. I’m reseraching a book, ya know…
6. Gather ye moonbeams - Writers are born daydreamers. Yes, I may look like I’m staring at the blank computer screen or watching the grass grow – but I’m really letting my mind wander and as John Fowles once said “in a novelist, mind wandering is a good thing.”
7. Be a tease - and I’m not talking about erotica. Don’t let all the good stuff out too soon – drag it out, make them turn the page.
8. Wave Goodbye - Don’t try to catch the publishing wave. Write what you love, what your style and voice are best at. Good books get bought – period.
9. Set the clock - show up at your desk and write – this is your job right?
10. Keep your pomises. No matter what your subject matter – your reader is expecting to be fulfilled, to be entertained or enlightened. Don’t miss the boat and not deliver the goods. Keeping your promises ensures they’ll be back in line to buy the next book.
11. Refill the well. Yes, for people like me, this a tough one. Get out of the house. Take a walk, let the outside world inspire your creativity.
12. Make an entrance - Grab the reader from the get go.
13. Break the rules! – For everyone who tells you – “do it this way” there is going to be someone who says not to do it that way. Stand on your own two feet and be yourself. Sometimes breaking a rule or two is just the ticket to making your work sing!
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Posted by Debora 
Posted by Debora 
Posted by Debora 
) **Sidenote, my oldest is a special needs child. This summer at a barbecue he was being harrassed by a relative close his own age. My other son jumped right into the fray and stood between his brother and cousin, put up his hand and said “back-off” – Made me proud!
