Rules (from Writing Tips for Non Writers, June 6, 2012)

I came across a book called Rules of Thumb*, published in 1983. It was among the books I had that I was selling on Amazon.

I made a living for years on the half-dozen things it says about writing. I gave it to a girl I know who's going to the University of Vermont next year. Here are a couple of things I remember from it.

A Rule of Thumb is a good idea. It's not ironclad but usually works out well.

From a book editor: In any book manuscript, you're pretty safe cutting the first two-and-a-half chapters.

Short stories: Cut the first page and a half.

News: Cut the first couple of paragraphs.

There's one that the father of the girl going to college remembered. If one of your shoelaces needs to be tied, they both do.

By the way, there's a Rules of Thumb 2 and like a lot of sequels, it's a disappointment.

In 1983, there wasn't the type of instant communication and business blogging we now have, but we could still make the same sort of rules of thumb.

Don't deliver bad news in text.

Over-punctuate, especially for praise!!!!

Don't try for nuance or sarcasm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The rules about cutting at the beginning, even in short posts, still apply.

See how blogs read if you cut the first two paragraphs.

This post, and most posts, would be fine, businesslike and professional without the back-story or the warm-up. Get straight to the information.

*There are now books called Rules of Thumb for different professions, including writing, and the original Rules of Thumb by a fellow named Tom Parker, who uses the same author photo as in 1983, is now called Rules of Thumb, a Life Manual.