Rules for Writing

The Guardian published some rules for writing today, inspired by Elmore Leonard , by a variety of  published authors, you can read their words of wisdom here:

Ten rules of writing 1

Ten rules of writing 2

There are a lot more than ten by the time they’re all done. Some are useful

Margaret Atwood

1 Take a pencil to write with on aeroplanes. Pens leak. But if the pencil breaks, you can’t sharpen it on the plane, because you can’t take knives with you. Therefore: take two pencils.

Probably says something about how rarely I fly. Not once this century; last flight I remember was sometime in the eighties to one of the Greek islands. I have been abroad once since 2000 but we used the Channel Tunnel.  I think I can just file those as useful advice for after I become a world famous author and go on world tours

5 Do back exercises. Pain is distracting.

This one from her is very sound. I suffer from back pain, better dust off that book I have and start doing the exercises. Though my computer space at home is set up to minimise pain. Very high tech I have a big bolster type cushion I have to hold in place with my back while sitting.

When I say big a cat will often sleep on it while I’m pushing it back against the chair.

Then give me dirty looks when I stand up and they tumble off it.

Philip Pullman

My main rule is to say no to things like this, which tempt me away from my proper work.

You go Phil! Oh wait reading and then blogging about them is giving in to the same temptation. Oops.

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