1) Listen to the voices, unless they tell you to burn the house down.
You must not question what you're doing, accept the writing you have created. For example, my sound poem, Clocks, is slightly strange (it's a poem made completely from non-existing words, what did I expect?) yet I love it because it sounds interesting.
2) Great writers don’t cheat, they steal.
THe Copy Change poem I wrote, Polar, is written in the format of another writer. I simply stole his format and put my ideas in it.
3) Mystery is the catalyst of imagination.
Playing House, a story I wrote from a name and occupation out of a YellowPages book, is full of mystery that causes the reader to create their own images and ending for the story.
4) Imagination: less is more, in some instances.
It is possible in any work of literature to over-imagine things, by using too many details and getting slightly side-tracked.
5) Mystery is more important than knowledge.
For Playing House, all I started with was a name and a job. I knew nothing about the occupation I was given, yet I was able to write about it like I did by simply creating an air of mystery around his job.
6) Imagination is the compass that leads you to what you love.
For many of the assignments I was given, there were limited guidelines. The lack of guidelines allowed my imagination to lead me to topics I was actually interested in.
7) Criticism can be honest AND help the writer.
When peer-editing in Mr. Wright's class, you have to both complement and destroy the writer. It is tough, but possible to give good advice and still be friends with the person you're giving it to.
8) Resign yourself to the lifelong sadness that comes from never being satisfied.
For Troubled Minds, I rewrote that poem around twelve times. It is a great and annoying feeling to always feel that your writing needs improvement.
9) Good readers make good writers.
While creating my Six Word Memoir, I watched and evaluated, collectively, around 75 other memoirs. By reading other works, you can gain experience yourself.
10) Do not change your writing to please others.
This rule applies to every piece of writing I have ever written or will ever write. Criticism is fabulous, but can be ignored if you feel completely content with your writing.
10 Commandments of Writing
1) Listen to the voices, unless they tell you to burn the house down.
2) Great writers don’t cheat, they steal.
3) Mystery is the catalyst of imagination.
4) Imagination: less is more, in some instances.
5) Mystery is more important than knowledge.
6) Imagination is the compass that leads you to what you love.
7) Criticism can be honest AND help the writer.
8) Resign yourself to the lifelong sadness that comes from never being satisfied.
9) Good readers make good writers.
- While creating my Six Word Memoir, I watched and evaluated, collectively, around 75 other memoirs. By reading other works, you can gain experience yourself.
10) Do not change your writing to please others.