by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: August 31, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

At first, rules can appear constricting. They seem to limit what you can and cannot do. They can make you feel like a kid. They can even feel make you feel like you are in an invisible prison. There are rules for just about every aspect of life. So why would anyone want or need rules for writing? Because rules can provide a stabilizing factor that may be absent. They can guide and assist you to do the best you can and strive to be better. They can help you create that masterpiece that is storming around in your mind. They can give you the chance that you desire; the chance that you need.

You should choose rules that can assist you in becoming a better writer. Rules that will reward more than they hinder or stifle you. Many authors follow their own rules, using them as guidelines in order to push out their work at a steady pace. Some rules include:

Don't make excuses!

Don't claim exhaustion. Don't postpone your work until a later that keeps being extended. Don't claim business to get out of writing. Don't wait for inspiration; it may never come. Don't claim to do it tomorrow; think instead: Why put off until later what I can do right now? Do not give up due to another's views of you or your work; they have a right to their opinion, but it may not necessarily reflect the rest of the worlds'. Don't claim inexperience, or age. Don't blame others in your family for your lack of free time; you could have said, No. Don't lay blame at the feet of your job for inability to work on your writing. Do not claim that your story is horrible, you don't actually know that.

Yes, writing is hard work, but that doesn't mean that you can't do it. Don't give up on yourself before you even start. Excuses are just that: Excuses made to hide from your dreams.

Write Regularly!

By writing regularly, you are training yourself to write and lust for writing. Many authors claim to use this form of inspiration, even on rainy days. The moment that they pull away from that ritual, they miss it and find themselves looking forward to the time.

Regular writing, even when you don't want to, will enable you to meet your goal more rapidly than by waiting for the muse to guide your fingers and thoughts. Chances are, inspiration may strike, but it may not strike where, when, or how, you want it to.

You will eventually train your mind to automatically focus when you sit down to your writing implements. This will enable you to have calmer writing inspirations and be able to better guide your characters to

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>