Here's what catches my eye. A lot of these writer's rules revolve around not having a day job.

Jeff, that's a really good point. How about at the end of this series of writers' rules, I post something asking GITS readers their own 'rules' for how to write while holding down a job?

I like that idea.

Great idea. Look forward to it, Scott.

I have to disagree with #1 though. What's the point of slogging thru something that you know is going nowhere?

I didn't care much for this list except for 7, which is fantastic. In fact, I would like to see a suggested reading list.

@meg: Well, to me, the purpose is twofold: (1) in the process of "slogging through" something, you may end up finding that it really does have promise after all; and (2) it teaches you *not* to start something that isn't going to go anywhere. I used to dive head-long into projects without thinking them through beforehand, and 90% of the time I had to admit that they were indeed "going nowhere" and give up on them. And I wasted a lot of time that way. These days, I really work out my idea (plot, characters, theme) before I even start outlining, precisely so I'm *not* committing time and energy to something that isn't working. (P.S.: I consider "finish" to mean, at least finish a draft.)

@jeff: Exactly. On the other hand, we can at least apply these principles to days where we don't have to work. (Frankly, sometimes I'm glad for my day job because I'd be overwhelmed if I just had unlimited time to write!)

@Nick
didn't occur to me how I was defining "finish". A finished draft works for me because I too don't start "writing" until I have some pretty detailed notes & outlines. (Still always amazed how much more shows up on the page I didn't have on the outline tho)

The first five were brilliant, the last five insane. . .

And, yup, I'm also one of those still having a day job. And small kids.