Writers' Rules

In my composition class I try to use exercises or activities that professional writers use to help them get words on the page. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

This is from a series in The Guardian inspired by Elmore Leonard's book Ten Rules of Writing. All of the writers featured give great style and content advice, but I found Richard Ford's to be more like "life rules":

Richard Ford

1 Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer's a good idea.
2 Don't have children.
3 Don't read your reviews.
4 Don't write reviews. (Your judgment's always tainted.)
5 Don't have arguments with your wife in the morning, or late at night.
6 Don't drink and write at the same time.
7 Don't write letters to the editor. (No one cares.)
8 Don't wish ill on your colleagues.
9 Try to think of others' good luck as encouragement to yourself.
10 Don't take any shit if you can ­possibly help it.

Regardless of whether or not you're a writer, I think everyone could benefit from #10.