Ten rules for writing fiction

These aren't my rules. They have very little to do with me. But I do agree with them. They're good rules. This isn't the sort of blog where you'll read about the magical essence of being a writer, and I have no interest in suffering for any art. I just write stories sometimes, and sometimes advice is needed. This week some newspaper or other asked authory types what their rules were. There's a long list. Some are philosophical. Some are sensible. I've put my favourites down here.

1. Only bad writers think their work is really good. - Anne Enright
2. If it sounds like writing, rewrite it. - Elmore Leonard
3. Do not search Amazon for the book you haven't written yet. - Roddy Doyle
4. To use an adverb is a mortal sin. - Elmore Leonard
5. Never use a verb other than 'said' to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. - Elmore Leonard
6. It's doubtful anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction. - Jonathan Franzen
7. You can never read your own book with the innocent anticipation that comes with that first delicious page of a new book, because you wrote the thing. You've been backstage. You've seen how the rabbits were smuggled into the hat. Ask a friend or two to read it. - Margaret Atwood
8. Never use the words 'suddenly' or 'all hell broke loose'. I have noticed that writers who use 'suddenly' tend to exercise less control in the application of exclamation points. - Elmore Leonard
9.  Don't go into detail describing places and things. You don't want descriptions that bring the action, the flow of the story, to a standstill. - Elmore Leonard
10. Fiction that it isn't an author's personal adventure into the frightening or the unknown isn't worth writing for anything but money. -  Jonathan Franzen

The rest are here.