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Diana Gabaldon shares rules and principles of writing

By Alexandria Ingham

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: 'Outlander' author Diana Gabaldon speaks at a Q&A during a special Barnes & Noble in-store appearance at The Grove on May 31, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 31: 'Outlander' author Diana Gabaldon speaks at a Q&A during a special Barnes & Noble in-store appearance at The Grove on May 31, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images) /
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If you’ve ever wanted to be a writer, Diana Gabaldon is the author to inspire you. She recently shared her opinion on the rules and principles of writing for all budding authors.

When it comes to writing, authors will have their own opinions on tips, tricks, and tools of the trade. Recently in an interview, Outlander author Diana Gabaldon shared why she doesn’t have time for those who say they don’t have time to write. She shared her 10-minute tip, which is something I wholly agree on.

While in the same interview with The Scottish Sun, Diana discussed the rules and principles of writing. There are many authors who will tell you that you can’t do one thing or another, making Gabaldon’s opinions and beliefs refreshing.

“There are no rules for writing,” she has stated, but she did elaborate on that. While there may be no rules, the storyline and the decisions have to fit together. There still needs to be a reason for the story to make sense.

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Again, this is an opinion I share with Diana Gabaldon. Sure, a character could suddenly manifest a set of powers, but there should be a reason for that to happen. It could be a specific loss or emotion that triggers them, the turning of a certain age, or even visiting a specific set of stones that opens up the ability to time travel.

At the same time of sharing her view on rules, Diana Gabaldon shared her three principals of writing. These principals are three that I’ve heard many other authors share–and they’re principles I live by personally as a writer.

Diana Gabaldon
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 30: Display of Diana Gabaldon’s books at Entertainment Weekly’s PopFest at The Reef on October 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly) /

To be a writer you need to write. That seems obvious but many will say they don’t have time for it, which is where the 10-minute rule comes into play.

The second is to read. If you don’t read, you don’t open your world to other opinions. You can’t learn from styles or figure out what works. Reading helps to bring out personality and inspiration.

The third principle is not to stop. Keep reading and keep writing. You will get better and you will find that your passion flows through.

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What do you think of the rules and principles of writing? Would you like to be an author like Diana Gabaldon one day? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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