1 - We live on borrowed knowledge. All that would flow out of us would be an amalgamation of what we have heard, seen, read. Do as much justice to be as original to your work as you can be.

2 - Do not copy or rewrite other people’s work, but if you find traces of your favourite author in your work in terms of style or tone, feel good that you are at least getting closer to someone whom you admire. It is the deepest form of gratitude you can demonstrate.

3 - Do not be afraid to find yourself via your writing. We write to access ourselves, sometimes our deepest fears. Pay attention. Be open to everything.

4 - Man by nature is a control freak – let your characters take their own course.

5 - Contrary to argument, traces of who you are will be found in your work, inevitably, inescapably.

6 - Be in love with what you are writing.

7 – Final word – WRITE!

This Guest Blog is bought to you by… Farahdeen Khan is a painter, poet and writer. To his credit are the books Heartbeat (Unisun Publications) and Inner Voices (Mirage Books) and Chicken Soup for the Friends Soul (Westland). Khan’s articles, critique and reviews have been published in various dailies, journals and magazines. He holds an MA in English Literature. Khan is a partner in 2927 Communications, a multi-faceted creative consultancy.

2012 Seven Sentences – Seven Rules Of Writing – Guest Blog