Writing like any other profession has certain rules
which writers should and must follow. I have made a list of commandments every
writer should follow.
1. I shall not write to suit trends. Trends come and
go. But the story in my heart that drives my passion, will endure.
2. I will not copy or lift ideas from another writer.
I will work on my own ideas and if by chance I choose a theme/story/idea that
has been done by other writers, I will give it my individual twist.
3. I will make Google my best friend and do all my
research honestly and to the best of my ability.
4. I will worship my muse. Whenever the muse appears,
I will pay him/her undivided attention and write. Maybe even offer ice-creams
and chocolates and whichever other bribes work.
5. I will not stalk editors or agents on any
Social-Networking platforms. Or act clingy by liking all their statuses and
pictures. Or offer them home-cooked meals or pick and drop their children from
school. Rather, I will ensure my writing is good enough to get me noticed.
6. I will get a critique group or maybe a couple of
critique partners as critiquing is the easiest and the best way to grow as a
writer, both giving as well as receiving critiques.
7. I will revise my manuscript until the Gods of
Revision get bored of me and beg me to let them go.
8. I will be nice to other writers by buying their
books: to read as well as give away as gifts, as this is good for the
publishing industry. I will not invite bad karma by trashing their stories in my
reviews.
9. I will expand my horizon by reading books. I will
read atleast a dozen odd books in a year.
10. I will become a member of atleast one library in
my area.
11. I will not be a sulky, grumpy writer who
bad-mouths editors and agents who reject my manuscript/s or write nasty letters
to them.
Any commandments you all want to add?
These are all great, Rachna. I think you pretty listed everything, so I don't have anything to add. #5 was funny.
ReplyDeleteGood list! Genealogy/family history bloggers should compile some commandments too.
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent list!
ReplyDeleteI'll add my writing rule - Thou shall not suck.
This is a great list, Rachna! I especially liked #8 -- I buy and read a lot of books but I will only review those I can give 4 or 5 stars. A book that doesn't appeal to me may be loved dearly by other readers...plus a writer puts his or her time, heart, and soul into his stories and doesn't deserve to be trashed...ever.
ReplyDeleteNothing to add here, You covered it all. I love this list! Great reminder that you help all writers by buying books. (Dangerous for me to know, though!)
ReplyDeleteAll good rules, but boy lots of them! I prefer just one rule....always have fun! :)
ReplyDeleteRachna, you're a wealth of writerly wisdom--so glad we are friends!
ReplyDeleteI never write according to trends. I write what is in my heart, what my muse whispers into it. I work better with critique partners than an entire group--we get stuff done faster.
Happy Friday!
Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony
Hi human, Rachna,
ReplyDeleteWhile my alleged human, Gary, continues to have some health issues, I have decided I shall have to take over in the interim.
Your commandments are most noteworthy. Make loads of sense to me. I would add, when in doubt, get an animal, such as a dog, to take over the writing.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny :)
Okay, I have one commandment to add, mainly for me: I shall commit to a reasonable number of blog posts a month!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for inspiring me with your blog. I have been doing the A to Z on "Out of Africa" and it's been great, but a LOT of work to do a daily post. I've also written an A to Z on 26 Reasons to Blog, which I haven't posted yet. You've just saved me from committing to a three times a week post!
Shirley Corder from
Out of Africa - Topics from A to Z
Hi, Rachna,
ReplyDeleteI love these.... What a great creed to write by.... Well done!
Just apt! Nothing to add:)
ReplyDeleteThese are all wonderful and honorable.
ReplyDeleteYes Mam, I promise to try to keep all of them in mind tooo :)
ReplyDeleteBikram's