I Was Told...

Wake up an hour early, preferably before the sun peeks over the horizon.

Write one thousand words a day without fail.

Don’t edit your work now—you’re still writing.

But you’re going to make a lot of changes.

Come up with something wholly original

but do your research.

Please explain that idea.

No, that’s an information dump.

But you didn’t tell me what she looks like.

Cut the description in this scene and get to the action.

I would like to know exactly what’s going to happen right now

but don’t ruin the suspense.

I really liked it,

but I found it unreadable.

It would be better if you changed every word.  I’ll help.

You have to do what you think is right,

but publishers won’t like this.

We regret to inform you that we cannot accept your work at this time.

Oh fuck it, I’m just going to write a poem.