No Rules Handbook for Writers

Lisa Goldman is the former Artistic Director of the Soho Theatre where she worked for 4 years, during which time her achievements have included directing the Meyer-Whitworth and George Devine Award-winning Baghdad Wedding, developing Oladipo Agboluaje's Alfred Fagon Award-winning Iya Ille, and staging the work of contemporary playwrights including Dennis Kelly, Anthony Neilson, Chloe Moss, Roy Williams and Tanika Gupta. Previous to that Goldman was a co-founder and Artistic Director of new writing company The Red Room.

Lisa Goldman's book is like the best of British new writing: it is personal, well-written, clearly thought out and resonant. Its advice is passionately felt but perfectly controlled. And its ideas sing and inspire.

• "Introduction: Rules or No Rules? 15 The Practice of Preparation Rule 1 Write what you know 20 Rule 2 Find your authentic voice 26 Rule 3 Start with a strong premise and a compelling pitch 34 Rule 4 Read what you want to write 40 Rule 5 You can't do too much research 42 Rule 6 Write an outline before you write 46 Rule 7 Write what the market wants 56 Principles or Prescriptions? Structure, Character, Dialogue Rule 8 'Story is about principles not rules' Robert McKee 62 Rule 9 'If you would have your play deserve success, Give it five acts complete; nor more, nor less;' Horace (c.18 BCE) 68 Rule 10 Structure is what holds it all together 76 Rule 11 Hit the ground running 85 Rule 12 Know as much detail as possible about your characters 91 Rule 13 Make your main character likeable 97 Rule 14 The antagonist must be big and bad 103 Rule 15 Keep your main character active 109 Rule 16 Your characters must be distinct from one another 115 Rule 17 Put off writing dialogue for as long as possible 118 Rule 18 Create believable dialogue 120 Rule 19 'Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly' Elmore Leonard 125 Rule 20 Keep 'em guessing 129 Rule 21 The ending must resolve 139 Conventions of Style, Economy and Consistency Rule 22 Tone and style must be consistent 146 Rule 23 Keep your language fresh, original and vivid 151 Rule 24 The writer is the invisible hand 159 Rule 25 Less is more 162 Rule 26 Show don't tell 164 Principles of Freedom: Written and Unwritten Laws of Taste and Taboos Rule 27 Obey the arbiters of taste 172 Rule 28 Be balanced 179 Rule 29 Do not offend 182 Rule 30 Stay within the law 189 Rule 31 'The purpose of art is not to change but to delight' David Mamet 192 The Rules of Rewriting Rule 32 Writing is rewriting 196 Rule 33 Have your family or friends read, before submitting professionally 204 Rule 34 Murder your darlings 208 Rule 35 Never argue with feedback 210 Rule 36 The rejection of your work isn't personal 214 The Writing Game: Maxims of process and profession Rule 37 Ignore the saboteurs in your writing life 220 Rule 38 Learn how to be alone 227 Rule 39 You can't teach talent 231 Rule 40 Just Write 237 Rules of being a Rule Breaker 241 Notes 243 References 245 Contributing Writers 251 Index of Names 258"