The Ten Basic Rules to Improve Your Writing

[Resist]

All wonderful rules, (and yes, they are rules until you're good enough to know when you can break them), for any writer whatsoever. I know people who consider themselves excellent writers who violate these basic rules all the time, and their writing suffers for it immeasurably.

The only rule I would add would be this:

11. REVISE, REVISE, REVISE: Writing is not a gift. It's a craft. It takes time and, more than anything else, practice. Inspiration might give you a good premise, but crafting a premise into a story is an entirely different matter. If you're going to take the time to write, take time to revise your story. (Note: REVISION IS NOT THE SAME AS EDITING! Edit for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Revise for clarity, rhythm, character, word choice, etc).

Very few stories come out perfect the first time, and the best authors know that the best writing comes out in the second, third, tenth or fiftieth draft. Write until it's right, not just until it's complete.