No, that's not a boast, as in (while thrusting fist into the air) 'My writing RULES!'

I do actually like my writing, but this is about my rules for writing. I have no idea if they should be your rules for writing, but I do believe they have served me well.

#1 Put your butt in the chair and make clicky sounds with your keyboard. I could probably stop right here, because at its most basic level, this makes you a writer. You are actually writing something. Words will exist on the screen or page. Forget questions of quality here and JUST WRITE (see my post HERE about self censorship).

#2 Read. If you write novels, read books and short stories. Lots and lots, especially short stories. Why short stories? Because their constrained format is a constant reminder of brevity and economy of language in the expression of an idea. If you write for film, read as many produced screenplays that you can get your hands on. I like to read just the dialog in one pass to see what I can glean of the overall story through that exposition.

#3 Be curious. Ask questions of yourself about anything that strikes you. Why do we clap? How many people have been born since the beginning of time? What is the airspeed of an unladen swallow? Fill yourself with a well of broad, obscure knowledge.

#4 Never stop writing until a scene or sequence is complete. And never, ever take an extended break in the middle of a project. There are consequences to this.

#5 There is no writer's block. You can write. It may be crap, but it will be words. Write until those words are no longer crap.

#6 Stop telling yourself you're a failure. There are much bigger failures than you.

#7 Hydrate. Continuously. You're an athlete. Your brain is doing four minute miles every hour you write.