Comments on: Heinlein’s Rules of Writing: Principles for Success

By: #Weeknotes S03 E27 – DONFOOLERY

#Weeknotes S03 E27 – DONFOOLERY — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 19:06:10 +0000

[…] and sent it to another. I got a nice note about it, but I’m going to experiment with that Heinlein rule of not rewriting except to editorial demand and see how far that gets […]

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:20:23 +0000

In reply to Jeremiah W Thomas.

Well, as GI Joe used to say, “Knowing is half the battle.” 🙂 It’s good that you recognize that fiddly revision habits are probably due to procrastination. Lots of people get stuck in endless revision, which is why, I think, Heinlein included this in his doxology. There really does come a point where instead of revision helping you grow as a writer, it stands in the way of progress. One thing you can do is set a limit to the revision stage. Maybe you’ll do 3 rounds only, or you’ll revise for the next 4 weeks, and that’s it. Setting some limits there can allow for meaningful revision but ensure that you get back to the really meaningful stuff…the writing.

By: Jeremiah W Thomas

Jeremiah W Thomas — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:14:22 +0000

I struggle with revisions. I cannot seem to help going back into my draft, even when it is not finished, and meddling with things. I have gotten better, but it is still an issue. I can also say it is a backwards form of procrastination. Revising keeps me from writing. I am at the conclusion of my first draft, but it keeps getting pushed off.

By: Raymond Walker

Raymond Walker — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 19:00:47 +0000

I enjoyed many Heinlein books and so was intrigued by this article. Firstly I wish to say that I enjoyed the article and both Robert himself, and Becca in his absence make good points. Yet (as Becca admits) this is not 1947 and so, sadly, most of these ideas should be shoved aside as rather dated. Also you can no longer write books as Mr Heinlein did both because of changed circumstances and his rather right wing views. Yet I still feel this article has value. Thanks Becca.

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:52:38 +0000

In reply to Angela MacKinnon-Westrop. Back to the basics! That's a great place to be :). And the rules may be simple, but they're definitely not easy. I'm pretty sure you're up to the challenge, though :).

By: Angela MacKinnon-Westrop

Angela MacKinnon-Westrop — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 16:32:40 +0000

this post brought us back to the simple basics, thank you!! (WHY is the first word of everything I write here coming up capitalized? LOL) when i got myself readied to read the list of rules I thought that they would start with something simpler…like get a degree–but nOPE! The first one is a tough one! write! ARRRRGH!

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:16:19 +0000

In reply to Widdershins. Agree, 100%!

By: Widdershins

Widdershins — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:54:28 +0000

Love all of this but especially the first one … write – there’s a reason we’re called writers, not conventioneers, or social-media-ers 😀