I know there are more rules about writing than one can shake a stick at… and I’m sure you can suggest a few in the comments box to share with us all… the below are just 10 that seem to hit home to be attentive to.

Here are just 10 rules to follow? (Thanking Janet Fitch from a post in the LA Times)

1. Write the sentence, not just the story
2. Pick a better verb
3. Kill the cliché.
4. Variety is the key.
5. Explore sentences using dependent clauses.
6. Use the landscape.
7. Smarten up your protagonist.
8. Learn to write dialogue.
9. Write in scenes.
10. Torture your protagonist.

The above link takes you to the LA Times post with detailed descriptions.