3. Things I Can Catch and Release: The Censor Speaks

The Rules:

1. Avoid “I”
2. Stick with a person
3. Rephrase any instance of “no” or “not”
4. When it doubt, verb
5. Who inverts the passive
6. Actions float; feelings sink
7. Dice
8. Describe in detail
9. Enough description — get on with it
10. Develop a character
11. Develop a plot
12. Make a point
13. Points are red herrings
14. Get over yourself
15. Cliches are dead weight
16. Is that sentimentality? Seriously?
17. Carry a theme
18. Release your grip
19. Use all the senses
20. Get back to the action
21. Look up
22. Exploit conflict
23. Contrived conflict fails
24. Contrived anything fails
25. Just make it up
26. But make meaning
27. And make it seem accidental
28. Smile. This is fun.
29. Keep your hand moving
30. Generate volume
31. Polish gems
32. Murder your darlings
33. Perfection is death (also, the reverse)
34. Express what moves you
35. You don’t matter
36. Learn something
37. Teach something
38. Get a grip
39. Walk away
40. Stay
41. Wrap it up in a pretty ribbon
42. Everyone can see coming