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This week in quotes: rules for writers edition

A number of rules for writers pieces have popped up online recently, most notably in The Guardian and the National Post. On Salon, meanwhile, Laura Miller turns it around, offering a reader’s advice to writers. Here are some highlights from all three:

“Kafka wrote a perfectly fine beginning to The Castle, then threw it out for a better one.  So can you. Revise.” – Leon Rooke

“In the planning stage of a book, don’t plan the ending. It has to be earned by all that will go before it.” – Rose Tremain

“Writing fiction is not ‘self-­expression’ or ‘therapy’. Novels are for readers, and writing them means the crafty, patient, selfless construction of effects. I think of my novels as being something like fairground rides: my job is to strap the reader into their car at the start of chapter one, then trundle and whizz them through scenes and surprises, on a carefully planned route, and at a finely engineered pace.” – Sarah Waters

“Don’t confuse honours with achievement.” – Zadie Smith

“Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue. The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in. But ‘said’ is far less intrusive than ‘grumbled’, ‘gasped’, ‘cautioned’, ‘lied’. I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with ‘she asseverated’ and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.” – Elmore Leonard

“No sex unless it’s funny.” – Steve Zipp

“Read. I don’t know many great writers who aren’t also great readers. Although I do know lots of readers who aren’t writers. What was my point again? Oh yes. Reading is professional development for writers. In other careers, people go to conferences and take courses. Writers read.” – Terry Fallis

“Make your main character want something. Writers tend to be introverted observers who equate reflection with insight and depth, yet a fictional character who does nothing but witness and contemplate is at best annoying and at worst, dull. There’s a reason why Nick Carraway is the narrator of ‘The Great Gatsby’ while Gatsby himself is the protagonist. Desire is the engine that drives both life and narrative.” – Laura Miller

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