Rules of Thumb - Part One
I recently purchased a great little book called Rules of Thumb by Tom Parker (Workman Publishing, 2008) and discovered some gems between its covers: "The drier the wine, the higher the alcohol level," and "To test for a rotten egg, put it in water. Rotten eggs float."
What exactly is a Rule of Thumb? One definition is: a shortcut solution to new problems that resemble problems previously solved by experienced workers. Another is: a rough and useful principle or method, based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures. In other words, let those who came before us, and made all the mistakes before they found the right way to do something, show us the way.
Here are a few of the Rules of Thumb pertaining to writing, which I have gleaned and tested and proven over my thirty-three years of being a published author. Enjoy!
1. "If the writer thinks a scene is boring, you can bet the reader will, too."
2. "No adjectives are better than three or four."
3. "When you quit writing for the day, stop in the middle of an exciting scene - it's a guaranteed jumpstart for the next day."
4. "Less is more."
5. "The shorter the piece, the longer it takes to write it."
6. "Never make your best friend your main character, even if it's the hero."
7. "Never count on your editor to catch spelling and punctuation errors. They will end up in the book and you'll be blamed."
8. "Your research is finished when you no longer find anything new."
9. "Gather as much research as you can before you start your book, and then leave it out. The research will find its way in without needing to be forced."
10. "Never discuss what your story is about, you will lose the desire to write it."
11. "Never tell another writer your ideas. They will either get shot down or stolen."
12. "Practice being excited about your writing. It catches on."
13. "If you start with a bang, don't end with a whimper. The first chapter sells your book, the last chapter sells your next book."
