Esther Freud’s 7 Rules For Writing

We share English writer, Esther Freud’s 7 rules for writing.

Esther Freud is an English writer who was born 2 May 1963.

Her first novel Hideous Kinky, was published in 1992 and was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. It was made into a film starring Kate Winslet. In 1993, after the publication of her second novel, Peerless Flats, she was named by Granta as one of the Best of Young Novelists under 40.

She has written seven novels, including The Sea House, Love Falls, Lucky Break and most recently Mr Mac and Me, with the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh as the main character. She writes articles and travel pieces for newspapers and magazines, and teaches creative writing. She is also the co-founder of the women’s theatre company Norfolk Broads.

She lives in London with her husband, the actor David Morrissey, and their three children.

Esther Freud’s 7 Rules For Writing

1. Cut out the metaphors and similes. In my first book I promised myself I wouldn’t use any and I slipped up ­during a sunset in chapter 11. I still blush when I come across it.
2. A story needs rhythm. Read it aloud to yourself. If it doesn’t spin a bit of magic, it’s missing something.
3. Editing is everything. Cut until you can cut no more. What is left often springs into life.
4. Find your best time of the day for writing and write. Don’t let anything else interfere. Afterwards it won’t matter to you that the kitchen is a mess.
5. Don’t wait for inspiration. Discipline is the key.
6. Trust your reader. Not everything needs to be explained. If you really know something, and breathe life into it, they’ll know it too.
7. Never forget, even your own rules are there to be broken.

Source: The Guardian

Source for image: Esther Freud

 by Amanda Patterson

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TIP: If you want help writing a book, buy The Novel Writing Exercises Workbook.