The Ten Commandments of Fiction Writing

[justine_currie]

From Writer's Digest - The Ten Commandments of Fiction Writing

Most experts agree that when it comes to writing fiction, no rules are carved in stone. A writer is free to bend, twist, smash or shred any of the golden platitudes of writing that have been handed down by the well-paid, well-respected writers we all hope to become. Certain writing guidelines, however, are so self-evident few writers would dispute them. When these guidelines are broken, you don't need a burning bush to tell you your writing will suffer.

A good thing to keep in mind: "Rejection still stings. But it doesn't hurt as long as it used to because I have so many projects to pursue. I no longer mope around and curse the short-sightedness of a universe that fails to recognize my genius. I just work on the next project."

So what do you think? Are there any "commandments" or cardinal rules you work by that are not included?