The Unwritten Rules of Writing Everyone Should Know

I'd like to say that these rules have never before been written down, but I'm sure some of these are ones that you have seen or heard around the writing advice circles, but that doesn't make them any less true.

These rules can help you no matter the genre you write and should always be in the back of your mind as you go through your writing journey.

Read 

All writers should be readers, and yes this is a rule you have to follow. Reading is the number one most crucial step to learning how to be an effective storyteller. 

Through reading you learn the techniques for plot, character development, pacing, and structure that no writing class is going to be able to teach you as effectively. 

Grammar Lessons Didn't Stop At Middle School 

Grammar might seem like it comes to you naturally since you are a writer, but there is always room for improvement, and brushing up on these skills can help you when proofreading your work.  

Show, Don't Tell 

If there was a way for me to make this section appear in big bold red letters I would as it is one of the most important rules for any writer to learn. Never tell the reader what you can show them through the use of descriptions and actions. 

Write Regularly 

Writing is like anything else you want to get better at. 

The more you practice the better you get. Some say you should never let a day go by where you didn't write something down no matter how small, and while I would like to agree with this some of us just get too busy with other tasks to follow it practically.

If you can write every day then that is fantastic, but the rest of us should aim to write just as often as we can, but more than 3–4 times a week would be best. 

Don't Revise What You Write The Same Day 

You should always put some distance in-between when you write and when you edit so that you are coming back and looking at it with fresh eyes. This time can vary depending on what it is you are editing, but typically a day or two for short works, and I always advise at least a month before taking on the work as a whole.

Respect Your Readers

The way a writer treats their readers can make or break their career as we have often seen as the result of the rise of social media. 

All it takes is a few disrespectful comments and you may never sell another book again. 

Your readers are allowed to leave bad reviews, they're allowed to not like your work, it's their opinion. I'm sure you haven't loved every book you've ever read. 

Never and I will repeat this - NEVER disrespect or argue with your readers for an opinion they have about your book. If it upsets you, ignore it. Be the bigger person, nothing good will come from fighting with anyone on the internet. 

Seek and Accept Feedback 

After spending months if not years inside your work, it can be hard to see it objectively. This is where beta readers and critique partners can play a key role when you get to the final stages of your novel. 

Feedback is not there to hurt you and you are allowed to disagree with it, but if you have five beta readers and each one of them is telling you they don't like a certain part, or that they got lost during a scene, they are only trying to help you improve your work before you put it out there for readers or agent submissions. 

Be Patient 

Success will not happen overnight even if it seems like it does when you're scrolling through social media and seeing all of these other authors posting about their book deals.

This is something I have to remind myself of daily as I am submitting my work to agents as we speak.

Success comes to those who don't give up. 

Celebrate Successes 

Just because you're book isn't at the point you want it to be doesn't mean you aren't able to celebrate the milestones and successes you have reached. 

Celebrate that first book sale just as much as you celebrate the 100th, or just celebrate having completed writing the book and each stage of the process after. 

Be proud of all that you have accomplished and use these moments to drive you on to the next goal. 

Now go put some of these rules into practice but most importantly -  

Go write. 

With love, 

B. King xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints every Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm EST

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