This article from the Guardian is well worth reading. “Inspired by Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing, we asked authors for their personal dos and don’ts.” I cherry-picked my favorite rules below:

Anne Enright:

1 The first 12 years are the worst.

[Only 2 more to go…]

Richard Ford:

6 Don’t drink and write at the same time.

9 Try to think of others’ good luck as encouragement to yourself.

Neil Gaiman:

3 Finish what you’re writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.

PD James:

5 Open your mind to new experiences, particularly to the study of other ­people. Nothing that happens to a writer – however happy, however tragic – is ever wasted.

Al Kennedy:

4 Defend your work. Organisations, institutions and individuals will often think they know best about your work – especially if they are paying you. When you genuinely believe their decisions would damage your work – walk away. Run away. The money doesn’t matter that much.

Margaret Atwood:

7. … Writing is work. It’s also gambling. You don’t get a pension plan. Other people can help you a bit, but ­essentially you’re on your own. ­Nobody is making you do this: you chose it, so don’t whine.