I forgot to add these:
Niven's laws on writing (Courtesy of Wikipedia):
1. Writers who write for other writers should write letters.
2. Never be embarrassed or ashamed about anything you choose to write. (Think of this before you send it to a market.)
3. Stories to end all stories on a given topic, don't.
4. It is a sin to waste the reader's time.
5. If you've nothing to say, say it any way you like. Stylistic innovations, contorted story lines or none, exotic or genderless pronouns, internal inconsistencies, the recipe for preparing your lover as a cannibal banquet: feel free. If what you have to say is important and/or difficult to follow, use the simplest language possible. If the reader doesn't get it then, let it not be your fault.
6. Everybody talks first draft.
Number five Is my favorite. I've quoted it before. (some teacher was being an arse, IIRC)
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"Idealism is a nice styrofoam raft to float on until you meet the jagged cliffs of reality"