Erica’s 20 Rules for Writers

1. Have faith–not cynicism
2. Dare to dream
3. Take your mind off publication
4. Write for joy
5. Get the reader to turn the page
6. Forget politics (let your real politics shine through)
7. Forget intellect
8. Forget ego
9. Be a beginner
10. Accept change
11. Don’t think your mind needs altering
12. Don’t expect approval for telling the truth -
(Parents, politicians, colleagues, friends, etc.)
13. Use everything
14. Remember that writing is Heroism
15. Let Sex (The Body, the physical world) in!
16. Forget critics
17. Tell your truth not the world’s
18. Remember to be earth-bound
19. Remember to be wild!
20. Write for the child (in yourself and others)

There are no rules
Erica Jong

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Comments (5)

  1. bird wrote::

    A great list of reminders for writers – esp #17: “Tell your truth and not the world’s”.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm #
  2. Annie wrote::

    Damn. That’s some list. Makes me realise why I need to be a writer, even if it’s a beginner…

    Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 4:00 pm #
  3. irmak wrote::

    Galah, I fucking love you!

    ps: totally unrelevant to the post.

    Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 12:51 pm #
  4. georgette wrote::

    love this!

    you have me completely caught up in a magical swirl of thoughts, possibilities, hope, and abilities! thank you so much for sharing your soul!

    completely captivated and grateful!

    Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:16 pm #
  5. Eternal*Voyageur @ Venusian*Glow wrote::

    I found this devil cupcake, perfect for you !

    http://etsygiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/08/devil-cupcake-necklace-ends-814.html

    Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 8:48 am #