Esther Freud’s 7 Essential Rules For Writers

Discover English writer Esther Freud’s 7 sharp, practical rules for better writing.

Esther Freud is an English writer who was born on 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 10 novels, including The Sea House, Love Falls, Lucky Break, Mr Mac and Me, and most recently, My Sister and Other Lover. She writes articles and travel pieces for newspapers and magazines, and teaches creative writing.

Her first full-length play, Stitchers, was produced in London in 2018, and she has published a children’s book, Enchanted Book. She is also the co-founder of the women’s theatre company Norfolk Broads.

Freud was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2019. She lives in London with her husband, the actor David Morrissey, and their three children. Follow her on Instagram.

Esther Freud’s 7 Essential Rules For Writers

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

If you enjoyed this, you will love:

1. Janet Evanovich’s 12 Tips For Writing A Query Letter
2. Sebastian Faulks On Finding Excuses Not To Write
3. Anne Lamott On Life And Writing
4. 6 Writing Tips From Bernard Cornwell
5. Writing Advice From The World’s Most Famous Authors

Top Tip: Sign up for our free daily writing links.