Did you know there are actually some things you should never do as a writer? For one thing, be careful with your assumptions: don’t ever assume there’s only one way to write. There are countless self-help books out there telling us how to become a writer, how to write a best-selling novel, how to sell what we write and so on. There are countless workshops, seminars, writing classes (online and in person) that teach only one way to approach this writing life. But take everything you read and learn about writing with a grain of salt and find your own way in the writing world.

What else should writers never do? Here’s a list of some of the things you shouldn’t do:

- Don’t try to write like someone else. Writing someone else’s story in someone else’s writer’s voice is not going to gain you instant success. Be yourself. Write using your own voice, in your own style, even if no one likes it. Originality is the key to success in the long run.

- Don’t worry about all those rules you read about writing. The debates over writing an outline or not are irrelevant. What works for one writer may not work for you. Experiment. And, most importantly, write.

- Don’t wait for your first book to find a publisher before starting your second book. Or, for that matter, writing some short stories, articles, poems, plays. While you wait for the big contract, write something new. The big contract may not come with the first book, so don’t hedge all your bets on just one work. Keep writing!

- Don’t be rude, discourteous, hostile, and don’t harass the people working in the publishing industry. We all have a job to do and there are a lot of writers who deserve just as much of the publisher’s attention as you do. Poor manners will only result in you, and your work, being blacklisted.

- Don’t lash out at the reviewer who trashes your work. We’re all entitled to our opinions and you have to remember that sometimes the bad reviews outweigh the good ones. When you think about it, would you purchase a book based solely on its reviews, and, if so, only if all the reviews were good?

- Don’t let the bad comments and bad reviews get you down. Keep writing. Always, keep writing. You can’t please everyone all the time.

- Don’t be careless with the basics like good spelling and good grammar. Remember, what you write sells your work and if it’s poorly written, it’ll likely hit the trash bin before it lies on a top editor’s desk for serious consideration.

- Don’t write to satisfy a publishing trend. Be honest with yourself and your writing art. Just because vampire novels are hot one year, doesn’t mean the popular trend will continue. Write what speaks to you, not what the market appears to promote.

- Don’t lash out at another writer because you're jealous of their success. It happens. Your turn at success will come, but certainly not if people read negativity in all that you write. We must support each other in this writing life. Remember, those we support may also turn around to support us.

- Don’t forget to make time for reading. The best way to improve your writing is to read the works of other writers.

- Don’t give up on your writing just because the rejection letters have been piling up. But, at the same time, don’t be afraid to give up on a particular work that perhaps isn’t going anywhere. Sometimes we have to admit to ourselves that it’s time to move onto something else.

- Don’t put yourself on a pedestal. You’re no better (and presumably no worse) than the next writer. I recall one particular book fair – I had the misfortune to have a table next to a very self-centered author. He had over 100 books published. I’d read some of his work; it wasn’t bad, certainly not stellar. He thought he was the one and only. The first day of the fair was slow; few attendees. Whenever someone appeared at the entrance to the hall, this author marched right over and struck up a conversation about his books, led the person to his table, and talked the attendee’s ear off until the person quite obviously just wanted to escape, which they did without even stopping at any of the other author’s tables. Not only was this author alienating a potential book purchaser for himself, but also for any of the other authors present that day. A good, compassionate author will realize that not everyone is going to like their books, but they might appreciate learning about another author whose genre they do enjoy. So, don’t scare away the readers; freely promote another author. Who knows, it might be that other author who one day promotes you. It’s the author helping author approach that benefits us all.

Writing is all about what we do, positively and effectively. We are, after all, what we write. So, let’s do it the right (write) way.