Ten rules for writing fiction

I’ve enjoyed reading the 10 rules of famous writers in the Guardian’s Ten rules for writing fiction article.  I’ve just picked the ones that resonate most with me.  Some of them make a worthy list which puts me off ever reading any of their work, and some – Anne Enright in particular – sound so sensible and pithy that I feel sure I would like their books.  Some of my particular favourites are:

From Margaret Atwood

You most likely need a thesaurus, a rudimentary grammar book, and a grip on reality. This latter means: there’s no free lunch. Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but ­essentially you’re on your own. ­Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.

From Anne Enright

(I don’t know who Anne Enright is, or what she writes, but I like so many of her rules so much that I may have to check out her work.)

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