Advice to Writers shared these ten rules for writers. I found them to be funny and enlightening. Given that, I wanted to share them with you.
A big “thank you” to Jon Winokur for the collection of quotes he’s amassed!
Richard Ford’s 10 Rules for Writers:
1. Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer’s a good idea.
2. Don’t have children.
3. Don’t read your reviews.
4. Don’t write reviews. (Your judgment’s always tainted.)
5. Don’t have arguments with your wife in the morning, or late at night.
6. Don’t drink and write at the same time.
7. Don’t write letters to the editor. (No one cares.)
8. Don’t wish ill on your colleagues.
9. Try to think of others’ good luck as encouragement to yourself.
10. Don’t take any shit if you can possibly help it.
I have to say that I’ve learned #3 the hard way. Remember: you’re not going to make everybody happy all the time. Some readers are going to love your story,some are going to nitpick it to death, and some will give it 1 star for no reason at all. Don’t pay them any mind. If writing was easy, everyone would do it – and make a living at it. You’ve got to just keep on writing what works for you.
Now that I’ve added my two cents, I need to work on some flash fiction for this week. Happy Saturday everyone!
Wildberry Walker 
Okay well I don’t know about number 6…but if I do drink and write, I edit sober. I’m sure there’s a quote about that somewhere….
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I think there’s something to be said about writing with a glass of wine! Lol Thanks for the comment, Lorelle!
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LOL! Loved them! I still do #3–I read every single review–but…I’ve learned to see through the trivial and vicious reviews, from readers who don’t share my view on a subject, so they attack me, my writing, or my poor characters, who’ve done nothing to them. 🙂
Every once in a while, I do find some good advice, though. I’ve learned a lot in the last three years, and I always try to incorporate genuine constructive criticism into my next books. In fact, I’m blogging about that tomorrow. If you feel like it, please stop by.
Thank you for the fun post!
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Good for you, Carmen! I like how you try to incorporate the genuine constructive criticism. I’m going to keep that in mind! Thanks too for the invite – I’d like to check it out 🙂
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