In this episode of the Write Anyway podcast, hosts Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez tackle seven common writing rules, aiming to debunk and reframe them as flexible tools rather than hard and fast decrees.

They discuss how strict adherence to advice such as 'write every day,' 'write what you know,' 'draft first, edit later,' 'show don't tell,' 'kill your darlings,' 'write to the market,' and 'open in the middle of the action' can stymie a writer's creativity. By balancing these traditional guidelines with practical realities and personal preferences, Anne and Rachelle provide insights to help writers maintain their authentic voice and creative flow.

The episode concludes with information about the Pages and Platforms Black Ink Friday Sale, which includes significant discounts on masterclasses, coaching sessions, and manuscript evaluations.

00:00 Introduction: Debunking Writing Rules

02:10 Rule 1: Write Every Day

03:57 Rule 2: Write What You Know

05:01 Rule 3: Draft First, Edit Later

06:52 Rule 4: Show, Don't Tell

08:23 Rule 5: Kill Your Darlings

10:03 Rule 6: Open with Action

11:23 Rule 7: Write to Market

13:36 Identifying Bad Writing Advice

14:33 Special Offers and Conclusion