Rules for Writers Rule for Work

The Guardian newspaper has been publishing a series called Rules for writers.

These rules are the personal dos and don'ts of successful authors but I reckon there's more on offer.

The subject of these Top 10 lists is writing but some authors are also sharing the very heart of their relationship with work.

If that sounds interesting, go take a look

or I can work a bit harder and whet your appetite a little more...

You often see a lot after a tough climb

[Image courtesy of RMP87 on Flickr]

Here's a cut from Jeanette Winterson's Top 10:

✪ Turn up for work

✪ Never stop when you are stuck

✪ Be honest with yourself

✪ Be ambitious for the work and not for the reward

These may be the words of an author talking about writing but they're also the words of someone who has made their mind up, decided what she wants, confirmed that this is what it takes, resolved that this is what she has to do.

Imagine asking Jeanette where she wants her career to go...

I reckon she'd give a good answer.

All the best for now,

Paul

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So what would be on your Top 10 or Top 5 list like this?

Bear in mind that these things change

Lists like this rarely stay the same

But they always contain:

Values: What's important to you

Talents: What you are good at

Goals: What keeps you going