<em>There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.</em>                          <strong>~W. Somerset Maugham</strong>

In spite of Maugham's quote, writing rules are everywhere.

Neil Gaiman offers the main rule:

<em>The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it ­honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.</em>

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Here are the ten top writing rules from famous writers, a video hosted by Lycra Communications:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLIGZEBmBUk?rel=0&amp;w=560&amp;h=315]

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