According to W. Somerset Maugham:

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

(but even so, there are writers everywhere penning aimlessly, while competing to get their words out and read!)

I’m not sure about the above quote, and I know there are a whole ton of rules on writing books, and even more books on the rules of writing, but I have my own little set of rules that have nothing to do with grammar, style, or organization; they’re less “rules” of the trade, and more like rules to live by.

Here are my 3 “rules” when writing:

1. Use my voice and write from my heart.
2. Write about what I know and love (family mostly).

And,

3. Never lose myself or surrender my beliefs, ethics, or morals just for the sake of shock, sales, or higher ratings.

There’s a little bit of me in every book and in the end, I want my readers to respect not only my characters, but the person who penned them.

Thanks for reading,