Henry Miller's 11 Commandments

In the early-1930s, as he wrote what would become his first published novel — the hugely influential Tropic of Cancer — Henry Miller wrote a list of 11 commandments, to be followed by himself. I think that it is simple, yet very useful. I use a lot of the advice myself. One of the things I am constantly trying to stop myself from doing is working on one thing until finished. I tend to edit myself as I write. I'm sure you've done it. The problem is you never actually finish. Every rough draft is probably going to be crap. I doubt even Henry had a rough draft that was ready to be published. I've found that getting the work down really tends to not mess with the flow of the idea.A few nights ago I had an idea about a genius kid who gets beat up in school and has a really cruddy home life and then goes on to become a very powerful computer guy and spends his time obsessed with revenge against all the people who messed with him. Had I not got it down I might not have the story that I like so much. The other rules really do ring true as well. I highly recommend them. I will be adding more advice soon. 

(Source: Henry Miller on Writing Image: Henry Miller, c.1950, courtesy ofAnswers.)

COMMANDMENTS

1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to "Black Spring."
3. Don't be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can't create you can work.
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don't be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you arewriting.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.