OLD WRITING TRUTHS NEEDED TODAY

NOTES

As I was going through old files,
papers, and notes from college days
I came across a graduate course
folder with the following writing tips.
1. Don't try to guess what people want to hear
from you; first, figure out what you have to say.
2. Rejection is a sure sign you are a serious writer.
3. Original thoughts flow quickly; borrowed ones don't.
4. Writing can, and does, take place at any time or place.
5. Few critics are on the Bestseller List.
6. You can't write effectively out of ignorance.
7. The first quality of a good writer is to be a prolific reader.
8. You will never be a writer without writing.
9. Don't try to use words you don't understand.
10. Every great or poor writer started with the first word.
11. Please don't hide behind the old "I have writers' block"
     excuse for a lack of discipline.
12. If you don't appreciate the writings of others,
why should they appreciate your writings?
13. The only place you'll find "perfect" is in the
dictionary.
14. Every writer was first BORN and then learned
to write.
15. In order to get dividends from your writing you
must pay your dues every day.
16. A book of 300 pages starts with the first word.
17. RIGHT NOW is the best time to write...stop
and write something.
There are many additional tips in these notes
but these are the ones I need TODAY.